Our Outreach Program is founded upon strong relationships we enjoy with key university programs in art, animation, digital media studies and computer science with an emphasis on computer graphics.
Every year, we work with a wide range of these schools, in Northern and Southern California as well as across the country and overseas, to identify students who might have potential as DreamWorks Animation employees.
Open positions vary from year to year, but include all major production departments including: art/visual development, matte painting, story, pre-vis/layout, character animation, modeling, character rigging, character FX, FX, crowds, surfacing and lighting. In animation technology, positions include technical directors and software developers.
We look for talented students who upon their graduation are energetic, dedicated, resourceful, problem solvers, excellent communicators and team players. It is important that whatever their area of study, they have taken the time to focus on learning the foundational skills that will serve as the springboard for their future endeavors. Even though our artists work digitally, many have backgrounds and experience as traditional artists. For example, the artists working in our art departments to design the sets and environments for our movies have formal training in drawing, painting and related skills.
Our Outreach Program works to facilitate the transition into what is, for many, their very first real job. Once they start at DreamWorks Animation, entry-level employees often find themselves on track to become future leaders in this dynamic field.
If you are interested in exploring computer animation and effects, here is a short list of schools (U.S. and Canada only) that offer relevant courses and degree programs. These schools have programs/courses in the visual and/or technical areas and may focus on one or many aspects of our industry. Do your research on the program that best suits your interests and strengths!
This list is by no means complete and DreamWorks Animation does not necessarily endorse any of these institutions or their programs, but it is a good start for anyone interested in a career in computer animation or visual FX. Please be advised that this field continues to grow, mature and change at a rapid pace.
- Academy of Art University San Francisco
- ACME Animation
- Animation Mentor
- Animation Workshop, Denmark
- Art Center College of Design
- Bournemouth NCCA, UK
- Brigham Young University (BYU)
- Brown University
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- California College of the Arts
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
- California State University, Chico
- California State University, Fullerton
- California State University, Long Beach
- California State University, Northridge
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Carnegie Mellon University (Entertainment Technology Center)
- Chapman University
- Clemson University
- Cogswell Polytechnical College
- Columbia College, Chicago
- Columbus College of Art & Design
- Cornell University
- DePaul University
- Drexel University
- ESMA, France
- Ex’pression College for Digital Arts
- Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Georgia Tech
- The Gnomon School
- Gobelins, France
- Harvey Mudd College
- iAnimate.net
- Laguna College of Art & Design
- LISAA, Paris
- Loyola Marymount College
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- The Ohio State University, ACCAD
- Otis College of Art & Design
- Pratt Institute
- Purdue University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
- Rhode Island College of Art & Design
- Ringling College of Art & Design
- Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
- Ryman Arts
- San Francisco State University
- San Jose State University
- Savannah College of Art & Design
- School of Visual Arts
- Sheridan College
- Stanford University
- Supinfocom, France
- Supinfocom - Arles, France
- Texas A&M University, Department of Visualization
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- University of Central Florida
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas, Dallas
- University of Utah
- University of Washington
- Vancouver Film School
