Digital Producer – Project Hire

Job Summary:

About the Role & Team:

Walt Disney Imagineering

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.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

The Digital Producer provides digital production leadership, technical expertise, creative understanding, strategic planning, and fiscal accountability through each phase of production.  This role is responsible for the scope, schedule, strategy, and budget for the Media Production department and the Digital Arts Studio, and responsible for establishing and maintaining the digital workflow and production methodology, in collaboration with other digital disciplines and stakeholders, based on the needs and creative vision of the project.

This position will report to the Executive, Digital and Media Production Studio.

This is a 30-month Project Hire position without any guarantee of permanent placement.

What You Will Do:

• Produce the digital media imagery required for the resort or attraction from end to end – including pre-visualization, integrated experiential design, mockups, stagings, digital production, installation, final integration, and archive.
• Partner with the Production Accountant of the Media Production department to formulate budget estimate assumptions, track weekly costs, analyze trends, and mitigate financial risks.
• Evaluate the complexity of a project to develop and/or implement the appropriate strategy for its digital pipeline.
• Advise the Show Producer and the Show Manager on digital strategies to achieve the creative goals within the budget and schedule parameters.
• Facilitate, lead, and participate in project-related meetings!
• Establish digital workflow methodologies with the VFX Supervisor for delivery and archival plans, working with media vendors and following the guidelines of the Digital Arts Studio and Tech Studio. This includes naming conventions, file structure, disk space management and render needs.
• Prepare the overall resource plan and schedule for the full production life cycle. This includes proposed crew roll-on/off dates, digital landmarks, review targets, and install plans using ShotGrid tracking software and/or other tracking tools.
• Bid each phase of work with the Media Production Accountant and get input from the Digital Arts Manager(s) and Tech Studio Leadership.
• Partner with the Figure Animation team and Show Programmers as needed on digital delivery schedule, asset naming conventions, and vendor delivery protocol.
• Collaborate with the Tech Studio to connect digital data and workflow techniques together across the different digital departments, and to promote the implementation of advances in tools and pipeline development, the setup of testing protocols, and the formal delivery pipeline.
• Partner with Show Systems Architecture and other digital divisions to facilitate the production of digital elements as required for pre-integration and final integration.
• Provide digital workflow and overall digital media delivery strategy to the project planners.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Solid understanding of complex film and video digital media technologies, processes, toolsets, vocabulary, production pipelines, and of the different digital fields within attractions and resorts.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to complete creative intent, motivate a team to achieve tasks and goals, and resolve conflict effectively.
• Proactive problem-solving approach to identifying risks and suggestions for mitigation.
• Strong communication (both written and verbal), presentation, and articulation skills. Ability to grasp and explain technical and digital concepts, workflows, and plans to a variety of audiences.
• Gaming industry producing, technical management, and theme park attraction integration a plus.
• Proficient in: MS Office, MS Project, Powerpoint, Shotgrid, Outlook, Google tools.
• Understanding of 2D and 3D software and design packages such as: Sketch Up, Maya, Revit, Rhino, Solidworks, Unreal, Unity, Motionbuilder, Photoshop, Bluebeam.
• 7+ Years preferred VFX production and studio experience, also preferably with live action set experience and/or major theme park attraction experience.
• Proven experience producing in a creative and digital pipeline including budgeting, scheduling, digital asset and artist management on a production, CG pipeline and toolset understanding.
• Willingness to travel both domestic and international as required!

Education:

Preferred BA/BS in theater, film, entertainment, or technology with focus in producing.

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

#DXMedia , #WDICreative

The hiring range for this position in California is $112,100 – $150,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.