How to Get Hired at Skydance Animation
The Spellbound and Ray Gunn studio's art roles in Los Angeles, Madrid and Connecticut, the real pay from its own postings, how applications work, and what your portfolio needs.
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Latest Skydance Animation Jobs
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- Layout Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 4 days agoUnlock
- Senior Environment Modeling Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 1 week agoUnlock
- Senior Rigging Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 5 weeks agoUnlock
- Animator🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 5 weeks agoUnlock
- Senior Animator🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 5 weeks agoUnlock
- Senior Environment Surfacing Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 8 weeks agoUnlock
- Environment Surfacing Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 9 weeks agoUnlock
- 2D Effects Artist🔒 Studio hidden · Remote · United States · 10 weeks agoUnlock
- Environment Surfacing Lead Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 11 weeks agoUnlock
- Environment Modeling Artist🔒 Studio hidden · On-site · Spain · 11 weeks agoUnlock
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Skydance Animation at a Glance
Skydance Animation's Art Style
Every Skydance film has its own look, and Madrid postings ask artists to create and iterate within a variety of artistic styles.
Visual Development, Los Angeles
Vis Dev, Character, Costume, StorySanta Monica hires visual development artists, character and costume designers, story artists and 2D effects artists. For Spellbound, the team studied Ancient Spain and Moorish influences to design the kingdom of Lumbria, and gave its forests pops of color instead of a dark, twisted look.
- Environment designs with turnarounds and floor plans
- Character turnarounds and poses
- Color scripts and lighting studies
- Storyboards in Storyboard Pro
CG Production, Madrid
Animation, Layout, Modeling, Surfacing, RiggingSkydance Animation Madrid, the former animation unit of Ilion Studios bought in 2020, runs CG production: animation, layout, environment modeling and surfacing, rigging, CFX, crowds, matte painting and FX. Surfacing roles ask for both stylized painted textures and high-end photorealistic textures.
- Stylized and photoreal surfacing
- Body mechanics, acting and facial performance
- Maya, Houdini, Arnold and RenderMan
- Hybrid work at the Madrid studio
Upcoming Films
Ray Gunn, Cosmic MotorsBrad Bird's Ray Gunn, due on Netflix on December 18, 2026, is set in the future as seen from 1939, mixing noir with Art Deco and Streamline design, and uses only keyframe animation. Cosmic Motors, directed by John Lasseter, moves to a Paramount theatrical release after the studio's Netflix deal ended in September 2026.
- Keyframe animation, no motion capture
- Art Deco and Streamline design
- A theatrical release with Paramount
- An untitled Jack and the Beanstalk film
The Skydance Animation Hiring Process
Skydance's job postings and application forms describe how it hires.
Apply on Lever
Skydance lists roles on its job listings page and takes applications through Lever. US art forms ask for your portfolio links with a separate password field, so a password-protected portfolio works.
Password field includedWork Authorization
US forms ask whether you can work in the US and whether you need sponsorship. Madrid forms ask about your work status in Spain, when you could start and whether you are willing to work on-site in Madrid.
Madrid roles are on siteUnion Membership
US art roles state that you must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839, and union employees receive benefits through the guild.
TAG Local 839Events and Portfolio Reviews
Skydance posts interest forms for events such as Lightbox Expo, offering meetings about full-time roles and portfolio or resume feedback. Recruiters only contact you from an @skydance.com address.
Meet recruiters at eventsSalary Ranges at Skydance Animation
California requires pay ranges in job ads, and Skydance quotes most Los Angeles art roles per week. These come from 2026 postings, live or recently closed.
| Role | Level | Posted Range |
|---|---|---|
| Character Design Apprentice | Apprentice | $45.87 per hour |
| Visual Development Apprentice | Apprentice | $45.87 per hour |
| Story Artist | 1+ years | $2,388.40 to $4,200 per week |
| Visual Development Artist | 8+ years | $2,900 to $4,000 per week |
| Character Designer | 8+ years | $2,900 to $4,000 per week |
| Costume Designer | Lead | $2,900 to $4,000 per week |
| Art Director | 6+ years | $4,000 to $4,600 per week |
Los Angeles ranges, exactly as posted. Madrid postings do not list pay.
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What Your Portfolio Needs to Show
Skydance's postings expect a portfolio or reel matched to the role, and senior US art roles ask for 6 to 8 or more years on animated features.
Visual Development and Design
- Drawing, anatomy, perspective and composition
- Environment concepts, color scripts and color keys
- Character turnarounds and poses
- Photoshop, with Maya, Blender or ZBrush as a plus
- Feature animation experience for senior roles
Story and 2D Effects
- Storyboards in Storyboard Pro and Photoshop
- Effects timing, physics and integration with performance
- A reel of effects in shots, not only technique demos
- Photoshop, Nuke, After Effects, Harmony or TVPaint
- Living in greater Los Angeles for story roles
CG Artists in Madrid
- Body mechanics, acting, facial performance and polish
- Stylized painted and photoreal textures
- Maya, ZBrush, SpeedTree and Houdini for modeling
- Substance, Mari, RenderMan and Arnold for surfacing
- Advanced Python for riggers
Timing Matters at Skydance
Skydance staffs by film, runs yearly apprenticeships in Santa Monica and paid trainee internships in Madrid, and meets artists at events such as Lightbox Expo. ArtBlast sends new Skydance postings to subscribers the morning they go live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Skydance Animation located?
Skydance Animation's art roles are in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, with CG production in Madrid, Spain, and a team in Connecticut. Most full-time art roles are hybrid, and Madrid applications ask whether you can work on-site there.
Who owns Skydance Animation?
Skydance Animation is part of Paramount Skydance, formed when Skydance Media and Paramount merged in August 2025. In September 2026 Paramount said it will remain a standalone label under Paramount Pictures, led by John Lasseter and President Holly Edwards.
How much does Skydance Animation pay?
Los Angeles postings list weekly pay. In 2026, story artists listed $2,388.40 to $4,200 a week, visual development artists and character designers $2,900 to $4,000, and an art director $4,000 to $4,600. Apprentices were paid $45.87 an hour.
Do I need to join a union to work at Skydance Animation?
For US art roles, yes: postings say you must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839. Union employees receive benefits through the guild.
Does Skydance Animation have apprenticeships?
Yes. In 2026 Santa Monica ran 7-month paid apprenticeships in character design, visual development and storyboarding for artists with about a year of experience, and Madrid offers paid on-site trainee internships for students in their final year of a degree.
What films has Skydance Animation made?
Skydance Animation made Luck (2022), Spellbound (2024), the Apple TV+ series WondLa and Swapped (2026). Brad Bird's Ray Gunn is due on Netflix on December 18, 2026, and John Lasseter's Cosmic Motors is headed to theaters with Paramount.
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