What It Really Takes to Have an Animation Career at Disney, DreamWorks, or Sony
For many aspiring artists, landing a job at an iconic studio like Disney, DreamWorks, or Sony Animation is the dream. These are the creative powerhouses behind some of the most beloved films in animation history—Frozen, Kung Fu Panda, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. But how do you get there? What separates those who get in from the thousands who try? As a team who has had these professional job roles - we’d like to share what we know.
The Harsh Truth: Only the Best Get Hired
The first thing to understand is that these top-tier studios are not entry-level-we’ll-teach-you-everything friendly. They don’t hire based on potential—they hire based on polished, professional-level work. If your portfolio doesn’t already look like something their in-house artists could have created, you won’t make the cut. Period.
That doesn’t mean you have to have twenty years in the industry, because time alone will not do it either. A career in animation at Disney or similar studios requires proof that you can perform at the level of their current teams—and that proof comes in the form of a jaw-dropping demo reel or portfolio that meets studio standards. And yes - you can show that ability right as you are starting out - if you have the right training.
Why Professional Training Matters
Here’s where many aspiring animators hit a wall. Watching tutorials on YouTube or taking hobbyist courses online can get you started, but they won’t take you to the finish line. Why? Because only someone who has actually worked in the studio pipeline—and preferably still does—can teach you what the industry really expects.
Many animation programs are staffed by instructors who haven’t worked in the industry for decades—or worse, never have. That disconnect matters. Animation technology evolves rapidly, but so do the storytelling trends, production workflows, and studio expectations. To succeed, you need instructors who are still connected to the industry, who understand the current bar and know what today’s studios are looking for right now.
Feedback is Everything
Another harsh truth: You cannot become a professional in a vacuum. Great animation doesn’t happen on the first try—it’srefined through critique. And not just any critique. You need notes from working professionals who understand how to push your work to the next level. That kind of feedback is the lifeblood of real progress.
If you’re not getting professional notes on your work—frequently and consistently—you’re not improving fast enough. Period.
It's Not About a Degree—It's About the Work
Here’s something the industry doesn’t advertise: studios like Disney, Sony, and DreamWorks don’t care if you have a degree. They care if you have the work. The reality is that most college animation programs are packed with general education and introductory courses. Studios know that students graduating from traditional programs often haven’t been trained in the way the industry actually functions. A few bouncing balls or walk cycles won’t cut it—you need to show dynamic, character-driven work that looks like it belongs in a feature film. Or create dynamic fight moves with strong choreography that works from all angles for a video game. Most schools simply don’t teach how to create that kind of content—or how to present it.
That’s where Hollywood Animation Academy is different. HAA was built from the ground up by working professionals who HAVE worked at Disney and Dreamworks to mirror the real studio pipeline. We are the only school designed specifically to make students job-ready, as professionals who have made the hiring decisions for animation departments.
That means teaching the actual tools and workflows used by studios, building a polished demo reel and personal website, and getting trained in the professional habits that will carry you through the day-to-day realities of working in the industry—including how to navigate studio politics, deadlines, and team dynamics with confidence.
Yes - you can get that training here. Learn more About Our Animation Training Programs