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Animation Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Childhood Cancer Society

$16.25 - $21.75/hr

Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities * Design and execute creative assets across print, digital, and event environments

Childhood Cancer Society

$15 - $20/hr

Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities * Design and execute creative assets across print, digital, and event environments

Childhood Cancer Society

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities * Design and execute creative assets across print, digital, and event environments

Childhood Cancer Society

$16 - $21.25/hr

Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities * Design and execute creative assets across print, digital, and event environments

Childhood Cancer Society

$15.75 - $21/hr

Animation / Motion Short-form content, storytelling, and character animation for Adventure Ted Core Responsibilities * Design and execute creative assets across print, digital, and event environments

Fuser

Brand & Motion Design Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$21 - $24/hr

Why You're Here As a Brand & Motion Design Intern , you'll help define how Fuser looks, moves, and ... Create short-form videos, animations, and tutorials using Fuser and motion tools * Contribute to ...

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Animation Intern information

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How much do animation intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation intern in California is $16.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an animation intern do?

An Animation Intern assists professional animators in creating visual content for films, television, games, or digital media. Their tasks often include storyboarding, creating character illustrations, working with animation software, and supporting various stages of the animation pipeline. Interns may also help with editing, preparing assets, and collaborating with other departments. This role provides hands-on experience and helps interns learn industry-standard tools and workflows.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animation intern?

To thrive as an Animation Intern, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, basic drawing or design skills, and coursework or a degree in animation, graphic design, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Autodesk Maya is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to take constructive feedback are crucial soft skills for excelling in this position. These skills and qualities are vital for producing high-quality animations, collaborating with team members, and adapting to the fast-paced demands of creative projects.

What types of projects and tasks can an animation intern expect to work on during their internship?

As an Animation Intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of tasks such as creating storyboards, developing character animations, preparing assets for animators, and supporting the production pipeline. Interns often collaborate closely with senior animators, designers, and other team members to support ongoing projects and may be given the opportunity to contribute creative ideas. The work environment is typically fast-paced and team-oriented, with regular feedback sessions that help interns build their technical skills and professional network. This hands-on experience provides valuable exposure to industry-standard software and practices, setting a strong foundation for a future career in animation.

What is the difference between Animation Intern vs Animation Assistant?

AspectAnimation InternAnimation Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of animation or related programsOften has some professional experience or relevant coursework
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, learning-focused, often in studio or production settingSupportive role, assisting senior animators in studio or production teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in animation studios, media companies, and production housesUsed in similar environments, often as a stepping stone to full animator roles
Search & Comparison IntentPeople exploring entry-level animation roles or internshipsIndividuals seeking support roles or entry-level positions in animation

In summary, an Animation Intern is typically a student or recent graduate gaining initial experience, while an Animation Assistant usually has some prior experience and supports the animation team in production tasks. Both roles are entry-level but differ in experience and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Animation jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Animation Intern jobs in California?

For Animation Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animation Intern jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Intern jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Animation Intern jobs?

Cities in California with the most Animation Intern job openings:

Animation Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Intern job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Internship, 33% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,972 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

WDI Figure Programming Intern, Spring 2027

Glendale, CA • On-site

The Walt Disney Company
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation • 10K+ employees
Learn more about The Walt Disney Companyexternal

$26.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Assist in creating, debugging, and coordinating Audio-Animatronic figures' digital assets.

  • Work closely with other Show Programmers to operate and maintain Animation & Show Programming systems.

  • Provide technical support for computer graphic animation programs and assist in developing or maintaining show programming tools.

Walt Disney Company rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Posting Title:

WDI Figure Programming Intern, Spring 2027

Req ID:

10159712

Job Description:

About the Role & Program

Be a part of an innovative team and culture...

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

The approximate dates of this internship is January 2027 to June 2027 and will be located in Orlando, FL or Glendale, CA.

What You Will Do

As an intern, you will work within WDI Animation which is a one-stop shop for prototypical design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, figure finishing, installation, show programming and animation. This is the group that "creates the illusion of life" within our attractions to tell amazing stories. This department includes managers, technical specialists and engineers who provide delivery of high-quality audio-animatronics to Disney theme parks that are safe, meet creative intent, and are easily maintainable.

  • Work closely with other Show Programmers to operate and maintain Animation & Show Programming system's highly specialized hardware and software tools

  • Assist in creating, debugging, and coordinating Audio-Animatronic figures' digital assets (character sheets, animation data, rigs, ride paths, shots, and/or models)

  • Build and review digital animation rigs

  • Provide pipeline and animation process support and asset integration to the Show Animators for the programming of Audio-Animatronics figures

  • Partner with the creative team and overall show programming team to program special effects, audio, animated props and show action equipment

  • Organize, secure and maintain show data created by the Animators and Show Programmers

  • Provide technical support for computer graphic animation programs (such as Maya and MotionBuilder)

  • Assist in developing or maintaining show programming tools

  • Learn proprietary software packages

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Familiarity with creating and maintaining rigs for CG character animation

  • Ability to function in a dynamic work environment, managing multiple project tasks

  • Basic Knowledge of robotic animation, control systems, and mechanical systems

  • Ability to provide basic technical support for computer graphic animation applications

  • Ability to work with limited supervision but be able to integrate inputs from many individuals and work as a team member

  • High tolerance for change and changing requirements

Preferred Qualifications

  • Desired software knowledge/familiarity among several of the following: Maya, MotionBuilder, Z-Brush, MS Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Premier, After Effects (or similar video editing software), Solid Works, Tait Navigator, Shotgun, Rhino, Unreal/Unity

  • Desired scripting knowledge: Python, Mel, C, C++

  • Experience with Game Engines

Materials Required

  • A portfolio review is required for this position. For full consideration, please include a link to your portfolio on your resume. Applications without a portfolio link on the resume will not be considered a completed application packet and may not be fully considered for the position. Please visit our support site for additional information.

Education

  • Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an accredited college/university earning a degree majoring in traditional animation, computer animation, industrial automation control programming or related field.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:

  • Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship

  • Be at least 18 years of age

  • Possess unrestricted work authorization

  • Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program.

Additional Information

  • Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work

  • Must be fully available for the duration of the internship

  • Able to provide own housing for the duration of the internship in Glendale, CA

  • We provide limited housing opportunities for Florida-Based Professional Interns through American Campus Communities, for more information click here

The pay rate for this role in Glendale, CA or Orlando, FL is $26.50 per hour for undergraduate students and $27.50 per hour for graduate level students. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

Job Posting Segment:

WDI Creative Development

Job Posting Primary Business:

Show Systems (WDI)

Primary Job Posting Category:

Other

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Glendale, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

USA - FL - 1120 Celebration Blvd

Date Posted:

2026-08-31

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

Social media

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