Full-Time
Visual Development Artist
Sony Pictures Animation
201-500 employees
Produces and releases animated feature films
Compensation Overview
$59.16 - $85/hr
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In Person
 Art, Graphics & Animation |
|---|
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- Must exhibit proficiency in drawing (including human and animal anatomy), design, perspective, composition, painting, lighting and color theory.
- Must be comfortable working in a variety of styles - from 'cartoony' to highly realistic.
- Areas of expertise to include one or more of the following: set/location/props design; character/costume design; special effects design; and/or color styling.
- A solid understanding of 2D to 3D translations and hands-on use of 2D or 3D tools in your design process is helpful.
- Able to solve problems creatively.
- Manage time efficiently.
- The ability to work creatively in a fast-paced production environment under pressure.
- Self-motivated, good communication skills, and an excellent teammate with a phenomenal outlook.
- Working knowledge of software and hardware, including Photoshop and Cintiq.
- Work under the guidance of the Production Designer and Art Director to generate artwork related to sets, locations, props, characters, visual effects, color schemes, and overall style.
- Generate work across all stages of production, including sketches, rough explorations, refined designs, and final paintings.
- Create artwork that informs the early story and visual development process, as well as the production process.
- Collaborate with creative leadership to translate the vision for the film from concept to finished look.
- When requested, build and present innovative ideas to improve visual concepts and designs.
- Ensure all artwork is accurately backed up, organized and stored appropriately.
- Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production.
- Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff.
- Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency.
Sony Pictures Animation creates animated feature films and series for global audiences. Its work includes theatrical releases such as GOAT, an original animated sports comedy produced with Stephen Curry's Unanimous Media, and the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027), the concluding installment of the Spider-Verse trilogy, along with Buds (2027), and the series Motel Transylvania continuing the beloved Hotel Transylvania franchise. The studio has produced notable titles like KPop Demon Hunters, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and the Hotel Transylvania films. The division operates under Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group within Sony Pictures Entertainment, a unit of Sony Group Corporation, and aims to deliver high-quality animated entertainment for global audiences.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Culver City, California
Founded
2002
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Sony’s January 15, 2026 Netflix deal expands pay-1 reach for future animation slates.
- The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania opens October 8, 2027, reviving a billion-dollar family franchise.
- Beyond the Spider-Verse hits theaters June 18, 2027, anchoring Sony Animation’s biggest revenue engine.
What critics are saying
- Beyond the Spider-Verse lands June 18, 2027; another delay damages trust and calendar planning.
- Animated Venom remains early development in July 2026; Sony still lacks a release path.
- One Spider-Verse flop would puncture Sony Animation’s brand and weaken franchise leverage across 2027.
What makes Sony Pictures Animation unique
- Spider-Verse gives Sony Animation prestige, style leadership, and premium-format credibility through 2027.
- Hotel Transylvania and Ghostbusters prove Sony can recycle franchises into animated event titles.
- Sony Animation pairs horror-comedy IP with cinematic CG, not television-grade Saturday-morning aesthetics.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Remote Work Options
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Flexible Work Hours
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Conference Attendance Budget
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Tom Hardy's Venom trilogy is done. Sony's next chapter is animated, and Amy Pascal just confirmed it. July 30, 2026 Three films. Over £1.4 billion at the global box office. Despite receiving mixed reviews throughout the trilogy, the franchise has made a significant impact. However, fans have long been waiting for a crossover between Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock, a project that Sony and Marvel nearly brought to life before the opportunity slipped away. While Hardy's portrayal of Eddie Brock has now come to an end, there's exciting news on the horizon: Sony Pictures Animation is officially working on an animated Venom feature. Amy Pascal confirmed this project during her visit to Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, where she was also discussing Spider-Man: Brand New Day. In response to questions about the potential crossover between Hardy and Holland's characters, Pascal said, "It would be great, let's put it that way." Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, encouraged fans with the message, "Always have hope." Pascal added, "I have hope. We have hope." But let's be clear: hope does not mean Asian Sunday has a concrete plan, a timeline, or a green light for that long-awaited crossover. For the past five years, since the post-credits scene in No Way Home hinted at a connection, fans have been left in limbo, waiting for something that feels like it's solely in the realm of possibility, not probability. The animated project is confirmed and actively progressing. Sony has tapped directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, known for their work on Final Destination: Bloodlines, to bring this new vision of Venom to life. The same producing team joins them, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach, who produced the live-action films. Tom Hardy is stepping into a role as a producer for this animated feature, though there's still no confirmation on whether he will reprise his role as the voice of Eddie Brock. This detail is important because Hardy's unique portrayal and dynamic performance were key drivers of the live-action films' commercial success, despite the challenges faced by other projects like Morbius and Madame Web. The Venom universe remains Sony's most viable franchise, with consistent growth potential. Shifting to animation is a smart move. With the success of the Spider-Verse films - Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse - Sony Animation has proven it can create engaging, critically acclaimed superhero films. An animated Venom project could explore creative possibilities that live action cannot, especially given the character's nature as a being made of living black liquid. Fans are buzzing with theories about how this animated film could connect to the Spider-Verse, potentially using the multiverse to link Eddie Brock's story with Tom Holland's Spider-Man - a crossover that the live-action movies never managed to deliver. The big question remains: can animation bridge the gap that live action couldn't? As for the specifics - story details, casting, release date, and title - those are still under wraps. However, Asian Sunday do know that Amy Pascal is on board, the directors are set, the producers are confirmed, and Hardy's involvement is noted. For those fans who spent three films hoping for a scene between Venom and Spider-Man - and are now watching Tom Holland's Brand New Day soar in pre-sales without a symbiote in sight - the announcement of an animated project serves as both consolation and promise. The Lethal Protector isn't done yet; he's found a new canvas.
Sony has reportedly explored doing an Horizon animated series. July 15, 2026 2:39 PM, by Thibaut Among the franchises Sony has most heavily promoted in recent years Instant Gaming find, of course, Horizon. The franchise is getting an MMORPG on PC and mobile alongside the co-op title Horizon Hunters Gathering from Guerrilla Games and even a movie. Now, V SCOOPER reports on X that Sony Animation has explored the possibility of producing an Horizon animated series. The project reportedly remained in development even after the decision to begin production on the live-action film announced for January 2025. However, it's important to note that the current status of the animated series remains unknown. Instant Gaming don't know if the project is still moving forward or if it has been canceled.
'Hotel Transylvania 5' headed to theaters in fall 2027. A new Hotel Transylvania film is headed to theaters. Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios are set to release the fifth film in the animated franchise, The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania, in theaters on Oct. 8, 2027. "Drac has happily settled into retirement while Mavis takes the reins of the legendary monster hotel. But when a series of spooky and unexplained happenings sends chills through the resort, the Drac Pack embarks on its most spellbinding adventure yet: uncovering the mystery behind The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania," according to the new film's official description. Jennifer Kluska and Alan Hawkins are set to direct the film while Lawrence Jonas will produce it. Additionally, Genndy Tartakovsky and Michelle Murdocca are set to executive produce. "From the beginning, Hotel Transylvania has invited audiences into a world where monsters feel like family," Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville, the presidents of Sony Pictures Animation, said. "These films have been a cornerstone of Sony Animation's storytelling identity, blending a unique visual style with heartfelt, character-driven comedy. With this next installment, we're honoring that legacy of heart and humor while delivering the unexpected surprises audiences love." Courtenay Valenti, the head of film at Amazon MGM Studios, said Hotel Transylvania is "one of those rare franchises that has become a beloved tradition for families around the world." "We're thrilled to collaborate with Sony Pictures Animation to bring the Drac Pack back to the big screen and continue this legacy of inventive, character-driven storytelling that audiences have embraced for over a decade," Valenti continued. Hotel Transylvania premiered to theaters in 2012. It featured the voices of Selena Gomez, Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg and spawned three previous sequels, two of which debuted in theaters. The fourth installment, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, premiered to Prime Video in 2022.
'The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania' officially set for 2027 release. Jul 13, 2026 Drac and the gang are checking back in. Sony Pictures Animation and Amazon MGM Studios are officially reuniting for a fifth installment in the blockbuster Hotel Transylvania franchise, titled The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania. The animated sequel is currently set to hit theaters on October 8, 2027. Deadline reports that Jennifer Kluska and Alan Hawkins are directing the film, with Lawrence Jonas producing. Franchise creator Genndy Tartakovsky and longtime producer Michelle Murdocca will executive produce. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the title certainly hints that the monster-filled resort may be facing a few supernatural surprises of its own when the series returns to the big screen. Launched in 2012, the Hotel Transylvania franchise has become one of Sony's biggest animated successes, following Count Dracula, his daughter Mavis, and a hotel where monsters can vacation far away from the human world. Across four films, the series has grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide while expanding into television, short films, and video games. With The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania now officially on the calendar, fans can expect the monsters to check back into theaters just in time for Halloween 2027. Categorized:News
Ghostbusters: Night Shift firsthand impression compares the animated series to Spider-Verse and Arcane. Last week, Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation gave fans their first look at Ghostbusters: Night Shift during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, unveiling concept art, introducing the series' new team of Ghostbusters, and confirming its 1994 setting. While those reveals have since been shared through official press materials and interviews with the creative team, attendees inside the presentation experienced considerably more, including additional artwork and a preview clip from the series. Among those in attendance was Dan of Ghostbusters South Africa, who has since shared his firsthand impressions with Ghostbusters News. According to Dan, the presentation was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, as the creative team showcased a wealth of artwork alongside a short clip from one of the episodes, leaving those in the room reportedly excited for what's to come. As previously reported, the exclusive footage centered on the new Ghostbusters investigating Grand Central Terminal, where they encountered a sinister ghostly conductor. The brief sequence featured ghost trains racing through the station, one team member falling under the entity's influence, and a towering supernatural threat, offering attendees an early taste of the action and scares awaiting them in the series. Beyond the footage itself, one of Dan's biggest takeaways was the show's overall visual presentation. He felt Ghostbusters: Night Shift would appeal to audiences who enjoyed productions like Spider-Verse, Arcane, and Netflix's Stranger Things: Tales from '85, praising both the artwork and the ambitious scope of the presentation. His impressions also align with comments from executive producers Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, as well as showrunners Ben Hibon and Elliott Kalan, who explained at Annecy that the series is being crafted as a cinematic Ghostbusters adventure. Beyond the presentation itself, Dan also had the opportunity to speak with several of the story artists working on the series. According to him, they expressed genuine excitement about the project, describing it as feeling "very cinematic and big." Representing Ghostbusters South Africa, Dan also handed out several of the group's custom badges, which he said were warmly received by members of the production team. Ghostbusters: Night Shift will take the franchise back to the 1990s, following an all-new team of Ghostbusters as they protect New York City while exploring a period of franchise history only briefly touched upon in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The series is being animated by Flying Bark Productions, the same studio behind Netflix's Stranger Things: Tales from '85, with the creative team promising a story that will "bring the ghosts back to Ghostbusters," while introducing all-new gear, vehicles, and larger-scale supernatural threats. Set to premiere in 2027, be sure to keep it locked to Ghostbusters News for continued coverage of Ghostbusters: Night Shift. Jason fitzsimmons. Writer, editor, and YouTube personality reporting on Ghostbusters news, merch drops, deep cuts, and everything strange in the neighborhood.