Introduction to Disney and the Role
Disney, a world-renowned leader in the entertainment industry, is seeking a highly skilled and creative Set Extension Artist and Matte Painting Specialist to join their team. As a remote full-time position, this role offers the freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere, with a competitive salary of $32-$35/hour. This is an exceptional opportunity to accelerate your career and be part of a dynamic team that is pushing the boundaries of digital art and storytelling.
Job Overview
As a Set Extension Artist and Matte Painting Specialist, you will be responsible for creating seamless and immersive digital environments that transport audiences to new and exciting worlds. Using your expertise in computer-generated imagery (CGI) and traditional art skills, you will work closely with the production team to develop and refine the visual style of our projects. This is a unique chance to combine your technical skills with your artistic vision and contribute to the creation of unforgettable cinematic experiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute layered, pre-lit, view-dependent paintings that seamlessly integrate with fully CG environments
- Collaborate with environment teams and Production Designers to elaborate on the expansion of environments for our projects
- Create foundations, landscapes, and environments in a 3D world using digital painting and rendering software such as Maya, Photoshop, Nuke, Houdini, Clarisse, and Disney's proprietary software
- Interpret art direction, including design, architectural style, lighting, and graphics, to ensure consistency with the Production Designer's overall vision
- Support the technical aspects of the work created, including troubleshooting and optimizing workflows
- Work closely with the Art Department, Design, Modeling, Look Development, and Lighting teams to ensure a cohesive and high-quality final product
- Translate concept art and color keys into finalized and refined images
- Design environments for a shot based on extrapolation of more generalized concept art
- Modeling on a case-by-case basis, particularly complex terrain generation
- Surface and shader creation as needed
- Lighting of self-produced 3D assets as well as existing show assets using Dlight, Maya, and Hyperion
- Creation of fully acknowledged high-resolution HDR digital matte paintings
- Composition of fully composited set extensions in Nuke using 3D projections, creative compositing, and post-production motion blur and DOF
Requirements and Qualifications
To be successful in this role, you will need to possess a unique combination of technical, artistic, and collaborative skills. The ideal candidate will have:
- A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as fine arts, computer graphics, or a related field
- Professional experience in the film, television, or video game industry, with a focus on set extension, matte painting, or a related field
- A high level of proficiency in painting, drawing, perspective, and color theory
- A strong understanding of 2.5D workflows with multiple projection cameras, as well as extensive knowledge of both 2D and 3D workflows and mindsets
- Excellent creative skills, with a willingness to learn and master new workflows and software
- Proficiency in Macintosh OSX and Linux, as well as software such as Photoshop, Maya, Nuke, and various renderers
- The ability to work iteratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, taking direction effectively and participating as a member of a highly collaborative team
- Optional but desirable skills include experience with custom drawing and painting, cinematography, and photography
What We Offer
In return for your skills and experience, we offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a unique opportunity to work on high-profile projects with a talented team of artists and technicians. You will also have access to:
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities to help you stay up-to-date with the latest software and techniques
- A dynamic and supportive work environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and innovation
- A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off
- The opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from feature films and television shows to theme park attractions and virtual reality experiences
Career Growth and Development
At Disney, we are committed to helping our employees grow and develop their careers. As a Set Extension Artist and Matte Painting Specialist, you will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, collaborate with experienced artists and technicians, and develop your skills and expertise in a dynamic and supportive environment. We offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities, as well as a comprehensive career development program to help you achieve your goals and advance your career.
Work Environment and Company Culture
Disney is a global leader in the entertainment industry, with a rich history of innovation and creativity. Our company culture is built on a foundation of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration, and we are committed to creating a work environment that is dynamic, supportive, and fun. As a remote employee, you will be part of a global team of artists, technicians, and professionals who are passionate about creating unforgettable cinematic experiences.
How to Apply
If you are a highly skilled and creative Set Extension Artist and Matte Painting Specialist looking for a new challenge, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. To apply, please submit your resume and a reel with a shot breakdown, highlighting examples of your digital matte painting (set extensions) and examples of shots done as a generalist. Examples of traditional painting are a plus.
Don't miss this opportunity to join our team and be part of the magic of Disney. Apply now and take the first step towards an exciting and rewarding career as a Set Extension Artist and Matte Painting Specialist.
Apply Now