Internship, Technical Director

Term:  January, 2005 through June or July, 2005

Who Should Apply:

To be eligible for an internship at Pixar, you must be in or have completed at least your junior year of college, be a graduate student, or have graduated the year the internship commences.

Responsibilities:

A Technical Director internship consists of real-world work assisting in the production of a feature film. Our interns work alongside our Technical Directors and contribute as full members of the technical team. We are looking for students who possess many of the skills of our technical directors and are interested in expanding their knowledge of the field.

Any or all of the following duties below may be assigned to a Pixar Technical Director:

• Development:  Work with pre-production team to develop programs and techniques to solve specific research and development problems.
• Modeling: Work with the Art Department and other TDs to build sets, props and characters for animation.
• Shading: Develop and implement look of each object in project with respect to texture and color.
• Lighting: Design and implement the look of each shot and use all elements above to create final image.
• Layout: Create sequences of shots that convey the story through the application of traditional filmmaking principles in a 3D computer graphics environment.
• Set Dressing:  Help realize the environmental vision of the Production Designer by constructing 3D sets and scenes in a logical, efficient, and artistic manner.  Offer design solutions to production issues.
• Character Rigging/Articulation: Use math and a good eye for the rigging process to build rigs for animation.
• Rendering: Take the final digital description of shots and run the rendering process to create the images themselves for scan-out onto film.

Qualifications:  

Our Technical Director interns generally have some or all of the following areas of experience:

• Linux or UNIX Operating System experience.
• Experience in programming using a language such as C or C++, or a scripting language such as Tcl, Sh, Python, or Perl.
• Experience using high-end 3D graphic packages, such as Maya, XSI, Lightwave.
• Education in some or all of: Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Art.
• An art background which shows a thorough understanding of physical motion, weight, balance, lighting, texture and form.

Demo Reels:

Reels are necessary to evaluate candidates for all positions except rendering and development.  Please include examples on your reel that demonstrate both your technical expertise and artistic sensibilities.  Any details you can provide about the shot: the tool(s) used, how long it took you, what the challenges were in creating the shot, any plug-ins or off-menu items you created, etc., will help us appreciate what went into creating the work.  We realize there are time and resource limitations for students, so understanding your process will help us recognize what you’re capable of doing. 

Sending a demo reel or portfolio of your work:

Please apply electronically and then mail the requested materials (demo reel, portfolio, etc.) with a hard copy of your resume, a detailed credit list (more details below), and a signed Submission Release form.  We will not be able to review your work without this signed agreement from you.  You can access the form by clicking on the following link: JobApplicants.pdf

Please note:  We do not return applicants’ work, so when submitting your materials (portfolio/reel/drawings/storyboards), please do not include original work or portfolios you would expect to receive back.

Requirements for submitting a demo reel:

• Reels should be on DVD or VHS (NTSC or PAL) - NO Beta, 3/4" or CDs please.
• Include a detailed credit list/reel breakdown explaining what you did on each shot (including techniques) and what software (if applicable) was used to achieve the effects.
• The length of your reel should be limited to 5 minutes and consist of work that you're most proud of, starting with your best, most recent work.
• Music is not necessary.
• Please be sure to label and date your work!
• Reels will not be returned. 

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:

Click here to apply.

Please also submit your cover letter, current resume, signed submission release form, demo reel and reel breakdown to:

Pixar Animation Studios
Attn: Recruiting
1200 Park Avenue
Emeryville, CA 94608

Pixar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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