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Internship Vfx Lighting Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Naughty Dog

Senior Lighting Artist

Santa Monica, CA

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be ...

New

Naughty Dog

Senior Lighting Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$69.09 - $86.35/hr

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be ...

New

Ht Visions

VFX Artist

Houston, TX

$150K - $165K/yr

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative VFX Artist to produce high-quality visual effects ... Ensure lighting, rendering, and compositing consistency * Meet production deadlines while ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

Senior VFX Artist We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved ... Deep knowledge of vector math, real time lighting, post FX, shaders, and real time performance ...

Gunfire Games

VFX Artist (Mid/Senior)

Austin, TX · On-site

Gunfire Games is seeking a VFX Artist (Mid-Level/Senior) to create and implement high-quality ... Strong understanding of 3D art fundamentals, including modeling, lighting, and rendering as they ...

Studio Wildcard

Sr. VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA

Senior VFX Artist _____ We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival ... Deep knowledge of vector math, real time lighting, post FX, shaders, and real time performance ...

Komodo Co., Ltd.

VFX Artist

Bellevue, WA · Remote

The Opportunity KOMODO is seeking a VFX Artist to define the visual identity of Nanos, the codename ... Familiarity with lighting, post-processing, and real-time rendering optimization * Background in ...

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How much do internship vfx lighting artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship vfx lighting artist in the United States is $13.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.54 and $14.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship VFX lighting artist do?

An Internship VFX Lighting Artist assists with creating realistic and visually appealing lighting in scenes for movies, TV, or games during the post-production process. They work under the guidance of senior lighting artists to learn how to use industry-standard software, adjust light sources, and enhance the mood and atmosphere of visual effects shots. Interns also help with rendering and troubleshooting technical issues, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a professional studio environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship VFX lighting artist?

To excel as an Internship VFX Lighting Artist, you need a foundational understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and 3D rendering, often supported by coursework or a portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Maya, Houdini, or Unreal Engine, along with rendering engines like Arnold or V-Ray, is typically expected. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure visually compelling results, efficient workflow integration, and a positive contribution to complex production environments.

What are some common challenges faced by internship VFX lighting artists, and how can they be overcome?

VFX Lighting Artist interns often encounter challenges such as adapting to studio-specific lighting pipelines, learning proprietary tools, and balancing creativity with technical requirements. It's important to communicate proactively with supervisors and peers, seek feedback regularly, and take advantage of available training resources. Working closely with other departments, such as compositing and modeling, also helps interns understand the full production workflow and develop solutions collaboratively.

What is the difference between Internship Vfx Lighting Artist vs Vfx Lighting Artist?

AspectInternship Vfx Lighting ArtistVfx Lighting Artist
CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of relevant programs; portfolio requiredProfessional degree or equivalent experience; strong portfolio
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, entry-level tasksFull-time professional environment, independent project work
Employer & Industry UsageVFX studios, film, and gaming companies offering internshipsVFX studios, post-production houses, film and gaming industries

The main difference is that an Internship Vfx Lighting Artist is an entry-level position aimed at gaining experience, while a Vfx Lighting Artist is a full-time professional responsible for creating lighting effects in visual effects projects. Interns focus on learning and assisting, whereas professionals independently handle complex lighting tasks in production environments.

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Internship Vfx Lighting Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Vfx Lighting Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 56% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,073 per year, or $13 per hour.

Senior Lighting Artist

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

This is a hybrid / onsite position.  

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Parts I and II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working onIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us. 

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

As a Cinematic Lighting Artist, you will collaborate with concept artists, animators, VFX artists and fellow lighters to create visually spectacular and engaging cinematic sequences. You will be using our proprietary lighting tools to achieve captivating lighting schemes for characters and environments. As a part of the Naughty Dog legacy, you'll become a part of continuing the development of extraordinary and enduring experiences for a broad, global range of audiences.

What you will do:

  • Develop lighting schemes for characters and environment working closely with Directors and the Concept Art team.
  • Collaborate with the Level Lighting team to establish smooth integration of in-game cinematics with gameplay.
  • Collaborate with multiple departments to determine that the in-game cinematics run within the memory budget without sacrificing the look.
  • Work with outsource vendors and lighting artists, collaborating on visual looks, tech, training, and workflows both giving and receiving feedback
  • Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What skills you will use:

  • A minimum of 7 years' experience in Games or Animation/VFX/Film
  • Has shipped a AAA game or equivalent
  • Excellent understanding of direct/indirect light, color-theory, exposure, contrast
  • Outstanding understanding of shading/materials and the relationship with lighting
  • Excellent artistic skills to interpret concept art and color keys to recreate the mood and atmosphere in a game environment
  • Demonstrated expertise in industry standard software such as Autodesk Maya
  • Excellent understanding of color grading with proficiency in industry standard software such as Nuke, Fusion, Resolve
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a dedicated attention to details
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills
  • Ability to work with minimal direction
  • Ability to work under pressure while completing time-sensitive projects

Bonus Skills: (Optional)

  • Experience with real time engines
  • Experience with generating light-maps, pre-lighting or baked lighting
  • Experience with scripting

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an art test.

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