DreamWorks Internship | Join USA’s Leading Animation Studio

If you’re dreaming about working in animation, securing a DreamWorks Internship is a huge achievement. This award-winning studio has created some of the most legendary animated films and TV shows. The good news is that they offer early career opportunities that give future animators, storytellers, and technical artists a chance to shine. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about DreamWorks Animation’s internship programs, apprenticeship opportunities, trainee initiatives, and their exclusive LAUNCH Fellowship Program. Plus, we’ll explore what real applicants say about the process and how you can improve your chances of landing an internship here.

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DreamWorks Internship | Work with Art, Tech, or Production Teams

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation is a globally recognized animation studio. It is known for producing some of the most beloved animated films and TV series. Founded in 1994, the studio has delivered iconic franchises like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and Madagascar. It has earned numerous Academy Awards and industry honours. With a focus on storytelling, modern technology, and artistic excellence, DreamWorks has established itself as a leader in both feature films and television animation. The company continues to push the limits of creativity while maintaining a multicultural work environment where animators, storytellers, and artists bring imaginative worlds to life.

Types of Internships

If you’re in college and looking to enter the animation industry, DreamWorks intern jobs are one of the best ways to get real-world experience. You’ll get to work alongside professionals, contribute to real projects, and see how a professional animation studio operates. Wanna know who can apply?

• Current college students (sophomores or higher) OR recent grads (within six months of graduation)
• Must be available for the full 10-week program (Spring, Summer, or Fall)
• Depending on the role, internships can be remote, hybrid, or in-person at DreamWorks HQ in Glendale, California

Unfortunately, DreamWorks doesn’t offer internships for high school students, but don’t stress, since there are plenty of ways to start learning animation and building your skills before college. Here’s how you can start getting the experience right now:

DreamWorks Animation Summer Camps & Workshops

Sometimes, DreamWorks partners with animation schools to offer summer workshops and online courses. These programs are great for learning storyboarding, character design, and animation fundamentals.

Free & Affordable Online Learning

Want to learn animation without spending a lot of money? Here are some of the best free ways to start learning:

• Khan Academy – Pixar in a Box (Free! Covers everything from character movement to story development.)
• Coursera & Udemy (Tons of beginner-friendly courses taught by animation pros.)
• Toon Boom & Blender Tutorials (Free tools to practice animation and start building a portfolio.)

Pre-College Animation Programs

If you want to improve your skills, check out summer animation programs at top art schools like:

• CalArts (California Institute of the Arts – One of the best for animation!)
• Ringling College of Art & Design (Offers pre-college programs in animation & storytelling.)
• SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) (Great for animation training.)

Enter Animation Contests & Festivals

Even as a high school student, you can get recognized in the industry by submitting your work to animation festivals and competitions like:

• The Walt Disney Imagineering Storytelling Contest
• Nickelodeon’s Animated Shorts Program
• National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY)

Winning (or even just entering) these competitions can help you build your portfolio and get you noticed by industry professionals.

Trainee Program

This is a 12-week, full-time, paid program for graduates with less than five years of experience in animation. It’s designed for people who might be switching careers or just getting into the industry.

• You’ll work directly on TV or feature film productions.
• Be mentored by industry veterans who have worked on major DreamWorks projects.
• Get union benefits (since this program falls under the Animation Guild).

Animator Apprentice Program

This is also a 12-week paid program, but it’s specifically for those with less than two years of animation experience. It’s designed to refine your skills in animation cycles and character movement while preparing you for full-time animator roles.

• You’ll work on actual animation assignments to improve your skills.
• Industry mentors will provide guidance and feedback.
• The program is also covered by the Animation Guild.

LAUNCH Fellowship Program (For Underrepresented Talent)

DreamWorks is serious about diversity, and their LAUNCH Fellowship Program is proof. This program is for students and recent graduates from underrepresented backgrounds, including People from diverse racial and ethnic groups

•  Individuals with disabilities
• Military veterans
• People from low-income backgrounds

Departments: 

Here’s a look at some of the internship positions available in different departments of DreamWorks:

• Business Affairs/Legal
• Feature & TV Animation Production
• CFX/FX (Character Effects & Special Effects)
• Current & Preschool Series Development
• Employee Engagement & Events
• Human Resources
• Image Finaling
• Marketing & Publicity
• Music & Sound Production
• Software Engineering

Internship Duration:

Internships run for 10 weeks and are available three times a year:

Application Deadline 

If you’re planning to apply for the Summer internship, here are the important dates:

Acceptance Rate and Competitiveness

Landing an internship at DreamWorks Animation isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It’s super competitive, and for good reason. While they don’t officially disclose information on acceptance rates, it’s pretty clear that getting in isn’t easy. Here’s why:

Salary Details

DreamWorks pays well compared to other animation studios, and interns even get paid, which isn’t always the case at other companies. So yeah, it can be a fantastic place to build a long-term career. See below.

How to Get Selected for a DreamWorks Internship?

Now that you know all about DreamWorks Internship programs, let’s talk about how you can get noticed.

1. Application Process: Hit the “Apply Here” button to get redirected to the early-careers page. There, find a suitable posting and complete an online application. If qualified, you will be contacted for an interview.
2. Personalize Your Resume & Portfolio: Make sure your resume and portfolio are specific to the role you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a story internship, have plenty of storyboards and narrative-driven content in your portfolio.
3. Show Your Passion for Animation: Hiring managers love seeing personal projects. If you’ve worked on independent films, online animations, or collaborative projects, highlight those in your application.
4. Apply Early: Many past applicants mentioned that applying as soon as applications open gave them a better chance of getting noticed.
5. Network & Get Referrals: If you know someone who works at DreamWorks, ask for a referral! Many companies prioritize referred candidates, so connections can be extremely valuable.
6. Keep Applying: If you don’t get accepted the first time, don’t give up. Many DreamWorks employees started as interns and applied multiple times before securing a role.

Apply Here

Summary

DreamWorks Animation offers some amazing early career opportunities, from internships and apprenticeships to trainee programs and fellowships. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or someone wanting to get into animation, there’s an option for you. If working here is your dream, don’t let one rejection stop you. Keep building your portfolio while applying and improving your skills. One day, you might just see your name in the credits of the next big animated film!