Visual Development Apprentice

As a Visual Development Apprentice at Skydance Animation, your main responsibilities include creating character and environment concepts, color scripts, and production illustrations that bring stories to life. You'll collaborate closely with your mentor and team to visually explore design options, ensuring your artistry aligns with the film's narrative needs. Participation in brainstorming sessions and meetings will also be a big part of your role, allowing you to contribute ideas and receive valuable feedback.

To apply for the Visual Development Apprentice position at Skydance Animation, candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess approximately one year of experience as a visual development artist, background painter, or similar roles, but no more than two years in feature animation. A strong portfolio that displays your proficiency in artistic skills such as design, lighting, and color theory is essential, along with advanced knowledge of Photoshop.

The Visual Development Apprentice position at Skydance Animation is a full-time, six-month program that runs from June 9th to December 12th. You will be expected to work 40 hours a week, typically from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. This structured schedule allows you to fully immerse yourself in the production environment and develop your skills.

Yes, candidates applying for the Visual Development Apprentice position at Skydance Animation should either be located in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area or be willing to relocate. Being close to the studio is important for collaboration and participation in various studio activities throughout the six-month program.

As a Visual Development Apprentice at Skydance Animation, you will have the opportunity to work on real feature productions. This exposure allows you to participate in various stages of visual development, from initial concept art to detailed illustrations, enabling you to contribute to the creation of animated films while working under the guidance of experienced professionals.

When answering this question, share your passion for storytelling and how visual art plays a crucial role in bringing those stories to life. Discuss specific moments or experiences that fueled your desire to create visual concepts, emphasizing how animation allows you to express your creativity.

In your response, explain how you start with research and brainstorming to gather ideas and inspiration. Discuss your approach to sketching out concepts, refining your ideas, and incorporating feedback to develop your work into polished illustrations that align with the project's vision.

A good answer will showcase your openness to feedback. Explain that you view constructive criticism as an essential part of the creative process. Share examples from your experience where you successfully implemented feedback to improve your work and grow as an artist.

Highlight key skills such as drawing proficiency, understanding of color theory, anatomy, and design principles. Emphasize the importance of collaboration and communication skills, allowing artists to effectively convey ideas and work within a team to develop visual concepts.

When answering this, provide a specific example of a challenging project or idea that initially seemed difficult to execute. Discuss how you approached the challenge, including any research or techniques you used. Your resolution and what you learned from the experience will showcase your problem-solving skills.

Mention your methods for staying informed, such as following industry blogs, watching animated films, participating in online forums, or attending workshops and seminars. This shows your commitment to continuous learning and growth in your craft.

In your response, detail your process for creating character designs, which includes understanding the character's personality, story, and context. Highlight the importance of illustrating emotional depth and how that can resonate with the audience.

Discuss your time management skills, emphasizing techniques such as creating to-do lists, setting priorities based on project needs, and ensuring a balance between quality and efficiency. Providing examples of how you managed deadlines successfully will illustrate your capability.

Explain that thorough research is fundamental to your artistic process. It informs your designs and helps you create more authentic and relatable visuals. Share how you incorporate research findings into your work to enhance its depth and authenticity.

When answering this question, convey your admiration for Skydance Animation’s work and its culture. Discuss how you believe the opportunities presented by the apprenticeship align with your own career goals and how you hope to contribute your creativity to their projects.