Lighting Artist

Lighting Artist

For the last century, Walt Disney Animation Studios has been combining the best in artistry and storytelling with cutting‑edge technology to bring wonderful new characters and visual spectacle to the big screen for audiences around the world. We currently have an exciting opportunity for Lighting Artists to join our world‑class, award‑winning team at our Burbank, CA studio.

Lighting Artists are responsible for lighting, rendering, and compositing shots, integrating character and environment renders into a final frame that meets the vision of the Director, Production Designer, Director of Cinematography, Lighting, and Lighting Supervisors. Artists are expected to present shots in a dailies environment, effectively communicate issues regarding their shots, and deliver top‑notch work within production deadlines.

• Achieve visual appeal, good value, and structural choices
• Capture the emotion or mood of a moment to best support the story
• Ensure sequence continuity is maintained while executing the shots
• Proactively check lighting work in context

• Adaptability between different show looks
• Demonstration of a strong understanding of real‑world light and material behavior, qualities, and physics
• A strong visual sense and the ability to distinguish subtle differences that affect the matching of elements created in multiple mediums
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, taking direction from the Director, Production Designer, Director of Cinematography:
  Lighting, and Lighting Supervisors
• Experience using Houdini for lighting

• BA in Art, Digital Media, Computer Science, related field, or equivalent experience
• Understanding of color, contrast, and lighting design
• Notable production experience with 3D lighting and compositing
• Working knowledge of a node‑based compositing system (e.g., Nuke)
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a keen eye for detail
• Experience with global illumination lighting such as V‑Ray, Arnold, or similar
• Experience with Unix and/or Linux is a plus

• Grow personal proficiencies
• Address feedback and act with self‑awareness and accountability
• Seek and offer help
• Foster an open and inclusive environment
• Handle change with grace

Visual examples of images exemplifying work in this area are requested for review. Please include a resume and reel breakdown with your online profile.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.