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Director Feature Film Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Visual Development Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2K - $4K/wk

Previous experience on a feature animated film is required. This position is based in Los Angeles ... Generate work across all stages of development, including sketches, rough explorations, refined ...

Ht Visions

VFX Artist

Houston, TX · On-site

$150K - $165K/yr

... directors, editors, and post-production teams • Ensure lighting, rendering, and compositing ... feature film or streaming productions • Photorealistic rendering experience What We Offer • ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site

The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series and Stranger Things ... Career development is important to us so we offer training and support opportunities whenever ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series and Stranger Things ... Career development is important to us so we offer training and support opportunities whenever ...

Skydance

Senior Systems Engineer

Austin, TX · Hybrid

$160K - $185K/yr

... feature set. * Self-motivated and self-directing, willing to pitch in areas of development beyond ... The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television ...

Skydance

Senior Systems Engineer

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$160K - $185K/yr

... feature set. * Self-motivated and self-directing, willing to pitch in areas of development beyond ... The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television ...

Skydance

Senior Systems Engineer

Santa Monica, CA · Hybrid

$160K - $185K/yr

... feature set. * Self-motivated and self-directing, willing to pitch in areas of development beyond ... The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television ...

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How much do director feature film development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for director feature film development in the United States is $230,997.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $233,000.00 and $244,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Feature Film Development do?

A Director of Feature Film Development oversees the process of finding, developing, and shaping new film projects for production. They work closely with writers, producers, and executives to evaluate scripts, provide creative feedback, and guide projects from concept through to greenlight. Their responsibilities include identifying promising stories, securing rights, assembling creative teams, and ensuring that projects align with the studio or production company's vision and goals. This role requires strong industry knowledge, creative insight, and excellent communication skills to nurture successful feature films.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Feature Film Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Feature Film Development, you need extensive knowledge of film production, script analysis, and market trends, usually backed by a degree in film, communications, or a related field and substantial industry experience. Familiarity with screenwriting software (like Final Draft), budgeting tools, and project management systems is common in this role. Strong leadership, creative vision, negotiation, and relationship-building skills set exceptional candidates apart. These abilities are crucial for identifying promising projects, guiding creative teams, and ensuring successful film development from concept to greenlight.

What is the difference between Director Feature Film Development vs Producer of a Feature Film?

AspectDirector Feature Film DevelopmentProducer of a Feature Film
Required CredentialsFilm or related degree, industry experienceBusiness, management, or film production background
Work EnvironmentCreative meetings, script development, studio officesProject management, budgeting, overseeing production
Industry UsageInvolved in script, concept, and early developmentHandles financing, logistics, and overall project execution

The main difference is that the Director of Feature Film Development focuses on shaping the creative aspects and script development of a film, while the Producer manages the overall production process, including financing and logistics. Both roles require industry experience but serve different functions in bringing a film to life.

What are the main challenges a Director of Feature Film Development faces when balancing creative vision with commercial viability?

A Director of Feature Film Development often navigates the complex task of nurturing original and compelling stories while ensuring they meet the commercial objectives of the studio or production company. This requires ongoing collaboration with writers, producers, and executives to align creative concepts with market trends, audience expectations, and budget constraints. Balancing artistic integrity with financial and scheduling considerations is a continual challenge, but it also offers opportunities to innovate and find unique storytelling approaches. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential for fostering consensus and moving projects forward through development phases.
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Director Feature Film Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Feature Film Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $230,997 per year, or $111.1 per hour.
Visual Development Artist

Visual Development Artist

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$2K - $4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by developing compelling, immersive environments that support narrative, mood, themes, and character.
You will generate a wide range of visual development materials, including environmental designs, drawings, models, floor plans, and set dressing elements, all while ensuring consistency with the film's established style, story themes, and overall visual quality. Working closely with Production Designer, art department, and creative leadership you will help define the look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic experience.
The ideal candidate has a strong sense of design, composition, and storytelling through environments, with the ability to translate narrative needs into believable, visually engaging spaces.
Previous experience on a feature animated film is required.
This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.
Responsibilities
  • Create art for project concepts, environments, set designs, and related visual development elements (textures and surface details are a plus)
  • Generate work across all stages of development, including sketches, rough explorations, refined designs, and final environment concepts
  • Develop environment designs, including turnarounds, floor plans, and layout studies to support spatial storytelling and production needs
  • Create set dressing and environmental detail callouts to help define world-building elements and visual continuity
  • Produce 2D and/or CG visual development models to explore scale, composition, and cinematic staging of environments
  • Conduct visual and narrative research to inform design decisions and ensure environments feel grounded, intentional, and story-driven
  • Develop presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent, mood, and storytelling purpose
  • Brainstorm and explore inventive environmental ideas that enhance storytelling, deepen world-building, and reinforce tone and emotion
  • Apply strong knowledge of architecture, landscape design, and spatial composition to create believable and engaging environments
  • Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production
  • Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency
  • Maintain organized files following show-specific versioning and naming conventions
  • Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff
  • Revise and resubmit work as needed based on feedback from the Production Designer or Art Department leadership
  • Collaborate closely with the Production Designer, art team, leadership, and production staff regarding status updates, progress, and any production challenges

Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience in environment design/ visual development on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design environments that support narrative, mood, and character action
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work clearly and respond effectively to feedback
  • Strong understanding of architecture, perspective, composition, and spatial design
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team environment
  • Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs
  • Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus
  • Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839

The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate's location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.
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