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Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) is currently seeking a Layout Artist to join our world-class production team at the Vancouver, BC studio. This is a critical technical-artistic role that sits at the intersection of cinematography and technical pipeline integrity.

As a Layout Artist , you are the ultimate “gatekeeper” for a shot’s visual and technical readiness. While the Rough Layout process focuses on storytelling and blocking, the Finaling phase is where the magic is polished and solidified. You will be responsible for ensuring that the director’s vision is technically sound, aesthetically perfect, and ready for the downstream departments—such as Animation, Lighting, and Effects—to build upon without friction.

Job Overview: 3D Layout Artist

Feature Details

Company Name Walt Disney Animation Studios (Vancouver Inc.)

Job Title 3D Layout Artist

Location Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Hybrid/On-site options)

Employment Type Full-Time / Project-Based

Salary Range C$79,300 – C$150,500 CAD per year

Primary Software Autodesk Maya, Linux, Proprietary WDAS Tools (Presto)

Education Bachelor’s Degree in Animation, Film, or equivalent experience

Relocation Determined based on role and individual circumstance

Role Responsibilities as 3D Layout Artist

The Layout Artist carries a dual mandate: maintaining the artistic intent of the cinematography while ensuring the technical integrity of the digital assets.

1. Shot Construction and Technical Auditing

- Accuracy Checks: Build and verify the accuracy of shots as they transition from the Layout and Animation departments.
- File Integrity: You are responsible for the “health” of the shot file. This includes fixing errors in camera data, set dressing, and prop placement before the file is published to the studio’s global pipeline.
- Downstream Preparation: Ensure that all assets within a shot are correctly named, positioned, and optimized for consumption by the Lighting and FX departments.

2. Cinematographic Polishing

- Camera Finaling: Refine camera movements to ensure smooth transitions and appealing framing. This involves adjusting focal lengths, clipping planes, and focus pulls to match the narrative emotional beats.
- Set Composition:



Work with the environment to ensure that props and sets are positioned to complement the character’s performance and the shot’s overall composition.
- Continuity Management: Track detailed information across sequences to maintain visual continuity (e.g., ensuring a prop moved in Shot A is in the correct “new” position in Shot B).

3. Problem Solving and Collaboration

- Pipeline Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve technical bottlenecks within the Maya/Linux environment.
- Cross-Departmental Synergy: Communicate effectively with Show Supervisors and upstream/downstream leads to share solutions and implement feedback rapidly.
- Text File Management: Edit and manage configuration/text files (a “plus” skill) to customize tool behavior or shot data.

Candidate Requirements

Technical Skills

- Maya Expertise: A mastery of Autodesk Maya is essential. While Disney uses proprietary software (like the Presto animation system), a foundational excellence in Maya is the benchmark for entry.
- Linux OS Proficiency: As most high-end animation pipelines run on Linux, comfort with the command line and Linux file structures is highly recommended.
- Pipeline Awareness: A deep understanding of how a feature animation pipeline functions—from modeling and texturing to the final render.

Artistic Foundations

- Cinematic Training: Strong knowledge of camera lenses, composition, staging, and the language of film.
- Animation Intuition: An understanding of weight, timing, and posing is necessary to ensure the environment supports the character’s performance.

Soft Skills

- Detail Orientation: The ability to spot a single pixel of “interpenetration” (objects passing through each other) or a slight jitter in a camera move.
- Communication: Exceptional oral and written skills to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.

Compensation and Benefits





Disney Animation offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support the physical, financial, and emotional well‑being of our artists.

- Salary: The base pay for this role in British Columbia ranges from C$79,300 to C$150,500 CAD . Actual offers are determined by internal equity, geographic region, and the candidate’s specific depth of experience.
- Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Financial Security: Retirement savings plans and variable pay opportunities (dependent on level).
- Studio Culture: Access to exclusive screenings, artist development “Disney University” courses, and a cooperative environment that celebrates diversity and innovation.

The WDAS Legacy in 2026

Joining Walt Disney Animation Studios means becoming part of a 100-year legacy of storytelling. Our Vancouver studio is a hub of innovation, contributing to massive theatrical releases and Disney+ originals. From the foundational brilliance of Snow White to the modern technical marvels of Moana 2 (2024) and our upcoming 2026 projects, you will be working on films that define generations.

Under the creative leadership of CCO Jared Bush, the studio is currently pushing the boundaries of what is possible in CG, incorporating new stylized aesthetics and advanced procedural tools while remaining grounded in the “Disney Look” that audiences love.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, candidates must submit the following materials via the Disney Careers portal:

- A Professional Resume: Detailing your work history, specifically highlighting experience in feature-length animation or high-end VFX.
- A Portfolio/Demo Reel: This is the most critical component. Your reel should showcase sequences of shots in continuity, demonstrating your ability to handle camera polishing, set dressing, and technical finaling.
- Reel Breakdown: A document explaining exactly what your contribution was for each shot shown in the reel.

Note

Relocation eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Disney is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applications from all backgrounds.

3D Layout Artist job at Walt Disney Animation Studios

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📌 3D Layout Artist job at Walt Disney Animation Studios (Vancouver)
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