Disney Animators: Salary?

[TonyWDA]

How well does the job pay? I'm definitely looking into a career as a Disney animator (I've been making small flipbooks and improving on animations ever since the age of 3 - I'll be posting some sketches soon).

Anybody know?

[slave2moonlight]

I'd be interested in this too. I've never heard anything good about Disney pay, but it was always my dream growing up, and though I never was able to get training in animation (I have a Fine Art degree in 2D studio art though), I have again become curious about applying. When I graduated from college, it was around when Disney was firing rather than hiring.

Of course, I know they used to train you to animate there if you were hired based on your art abilities, back in the '90's anyway (along with having Disney animation programs at certain colleges that were way too expensive for me). Don't know if they've gone back to doing in-house training yet. My online gallery is at http://www.slave2moonlight.deviantart.com , for those curious.

[TonyWDA]

Anyone?

[Flanger-Hanger]

Not terribly well. Especially if your in-between (lowest paying job and also where they put you first). Animation directors are the ones who get the most pay.

[Elladorine]

I don't know what the current state is, but a lot of really depends on your status and abilities, etc.

I used to have a book that stated many animators start out at $40k-$50k a year, but that was back around 1994 when Disney was enjoying its comeback and traditional animation was a big thing.

Back in 1999 the average, well-established animator was making $75k-$80k a year, but it was predicted to go down considerably since traditional animation was losing its popularity.

A bit more recently (approximately 2004) I've read that the job may start at about $20 grand a year, but I'm unsure if we're talking about assistants, inbetweeners or any other positions since it wasn't specified. A well-seasoned, lead animator for a studio like Disney's could fetch one up to $140k at this time (I'm assuming we're talking someone at the level of Glen Keane).

I'm unsure of the hiring process and percentages these days, just hope that The Princess and the Frog does well. The business has been quite turbulent in the past decade with many lay-offs and ended contracts, not to mention the fact that CG seems to have taken over so I'm not sure if they're letting new talent into the door just yet.

[TonyWDA]

I don't know what the current state is, but a lot of really depends on your status and abilities, etc.

I used to have a book that stated many animators start out at $40k-$50k a year, but that was back around 1994 when Disney was enjoying its comeback and traditional animation was a big thing.

Back in 1999 the average, well-established animator was making $75k-$80k a year, but it was predicted to go down considerably since traditional animation was losing its popularity.

A bit more recently (approximately 2004) I've read that the job may start at about $20 grand a year, but I'm unsure if we're talking about assistants, inbetweeners or any other positions since it wasn't specified. A well-seasoned, lead animator for a studio like Disney's could fetch one up to $140k at this time (I'm assuming we're talking someone at the level of Glen Keane).

I'm unsure of the hiring process and percentages these days, just hope that The Princess and the Frog does well. The business has been quite turbulent in the past decade with many lay-offs and ended contracts, not to mention the fact that CG seems to have taken over so I'm not sure if they're letting new talent into the door just yet.

Is there any way you can actually be placed to BE a Supervising Animator at first? Or do ALL animators start as inbetweeners? Did Glen Keane? Did Andreas Deja? James Baxter?

[Elladorine]

By all accounts it takes years of dedication and experience to become a fully-fledged lead animator. Not even the likes of Glen, Andreas, and James start out at the top, and many extremely talented artists remain assistants or inbetweeners throughout their careers.

Where you begin really depends on your abilities and how much education you possess when hired. For good measure, be sure to check out a school with a great 2-D animation program like CalArts.

[Escapay]

Is there any way you can actually be placed to BE a Supervising Animator at first?

Yes. Just as someone can automatically get become a Supreme Court Judge right out of law school, or a chief of police once they graduate from the academy.

"Entry-level" jobs exist for a reason.

Albert

[pap64]

Is there any way you can actually be placed to BE a Supervising Animator at first?

Yes. Just as someone can automatically get become a Supreme Court Judge right out of law school, or a chief of police once they graduate from the academy.

"Entry-level" jobs exist for a reason.

Albert

Oooh let the boy dream a little, Esc!

When he gets laughed at for asking how to become a supervising animator he'll find out then .

(Just messing with ya, Tony!)

[TonyWDA]

Yes. Just as someone can automatically get become a Supreme Court Judge right out of law school, or a chief of police once they graduate from the academy.

"Entry-level" jobs exist for a reason.

Albert

Oooh let the boy dream a little, Esc!

When he gets laughed at for asking how to become a supervising animator he'll find out then .

(Just messing with ya, Tony!)

LOL guys, it's cool. I'm nowhere near coming into the studio, so I'm new to this! I didn't know you were placed as am inbetweener at first.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Those few Disney animators whose names and faces we actually know are certainly known for a reason. I'm sure they do all right - and they should.

[TonyWDA]

Is there any way you can actually be placed to BE a Supervising Animator at first?

Yes. Just as someone can automatically get become a Supreme Court Judge right out of law school, or a chief of police once they graduate from the academy.

"Entry-level" jobs exist for a reason.

Albert

You know what - I was only asking!

I obviously didn't know it was an entry level job. I honestly believed you were trained for that sort of position to come into at first, LOL. So I thank you for that little wake up call.

Do you happen to know how many years it takes to get up to the Supervising status? Does it depend on experience? Amount of skill? What?

[Elladorine]

Do you happen to know how many years it takes to get up to the Supervising status? Does it depend on experience? Amount of skill? What?

There are no set rules on how long it would take, but yes, it would depend on experience and skill, not to mention studio politics and the availability of desired positions. Someone taking the lead on a character for one film might be an assistant to another lead animator on a future production, for example. You probably realize that animators are "cast" to their roles like actors, as they get assigned to characters and/or situations that best suit their abilities.

I don't know time frames, but James Baxter is an example of one that went to the top rather quickly; he was probably about 20 when he worked on various characters in Roger Rabbit and was eventually given the lead of Belle just a few years later. Of course he doesn't even work at Disney anymore, he went over to Dreamworks and now runs his own studio.

Glen Keane started under the great Ollie Johnston's wing around 1974 but I don't think he became an actual "lead" until he animated the bear in 1981's Fox and the Hound. As you probably know he's recently taken the director's chair.

Anyway, you also have to realize that the animation industry is highly competitive, especially in these uncertain times when the future of the medium hangs in the balance. And on top of that, being a lead/supervising animator is a highly coveted position by those that have already gotten their foot in the door. Not saying it's an impossibility of course but it's not an easy job to just walk into.

[TonyWDA]

Do you happen to know how many years it takes to get up to the Supervising status? Does it depend on experience? Amount of skill? What?

There are no set rules on how long it would take, but yes, it would depend on experience and skill, not to mention studio politics and the availability of desired positions. Someone taking the lead on a character for one film might be an assistant to another lead animator on a future production, for example. You probably realize that animators are "cast" to their roles like actors, as they get assigned to characters and/or situations that best suit their abilities.

I don't know time frames, but James Baxter is an example of one that went to the top rather quickly; he was probably about 20 when he worked on various characters in Roger Rabbit and was eventually given the lead of Belle just a few years later. Of course he doesn't even work at Disney anymore, he went over to Dreamworks and now runs his own studio.

Glen Keane started under the great Ollie Johnston's wing around 1974 but I don't think he became an actual "lead" until he animated the bear in 1981's Fox and the Hound. As you probably know he's recently taken the director's chair.

Anyway, you also have to realize that the animation industry is highly competitive, especially in these uncertain times when the future of the medium hangs in the balance. And on top of that, being a lead/supervising animator is a highly coveted position by those that have already gotten their foot in the door. Not saying it's an impossibility of course but it's not an easy job to just walk into.

Oh, Okay! I see. Thank you for all your information! I did know for a fact what the animators took on at their first time, but I didn't know what it took to do it!

Again, thank you. You're information is greatly appreciated.

[Elladorine]

No problem. Hope you can post some of your art soon, I'd like to see it.

[TonyWDA]

No problem. Hope you can post some of your art soon, I'd like to see it.

Sure thing! I can't come up with a solid animation just yet (it should take about a month, at the least!) but I can post some Disney sketches.

[amazon980]

Well when i went to AI (Art instiute) they siad the averge animator makes $27,000 to $30,000 a year does disney pay more i dont know

[Elladorine]

Tony- looking forward to it.

amazon- I'm afraid I'm horribly out of date with this kind of info, but yikes. I wouldn't be surprised if the average you're stating is true these days but that amount would not make a terribly comfortable living in LA (where the majority of US-side animation is produced).

* * *

I've actually done a couple of commission-based clean-up animation jobs for a small studio. I have no clue what I made exactly (this was maybe a year and a half ago) but I was being paid a certain amount per completed frame, not any type of set salary. I do remember for the little amount of work I did (which was not what you'd consider "traditional" animation) the money was pretty great.