The Episodic Director will report to the EP and Head of Story. They will manage a team of Storyboard Artists and Storyboard Revisionists and lead the development of storyboards for assigned episodes, ensuring that they align with the series' narrative and visual guidelines established by the Head of Story and Producers. Effective communication and strong attention to detail are required as they multitask in a highly creative and client driven environment. This position is covered by The Animation Guild.
Sony Pictures Animation is a pre-production animation studio based in Culver City, California, creating both feature animation and animated series with artists from around the world. We pride ourselves on empowering filmmakers to lead the creative process, and allowing the hand of the artist to be truly felt, with the goal of producing bold and innovative visual storytelling.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with the Head of Story and participate in all requested preproduction meetings pertaining to the episodes they are directing.
- Manage Storyboard Artists and Revisionists during storyboard and animatic process (i.e. handouts, check-ins, deliveries, revisions).
- Direct respective episodes as efficiently and economically as possible and in accordance with the EP and Head of Story’s vision.
- Maintain a consistent visual language, camera language, timing language, picture quality, and overall aesthetic across all episodes to create a cohesive and immersive viewer experience across several episodes.
- Collaborate with the Head of Story to ensure that the episode's narrative aligns with the overarching storyline of the series, preserving continuity and character development.
- Innovate efficient ways to tell a story through storyboards and animatics using the latest technology available
- Break down a script into sequences and plan out shots using action maps and other available tools.
- Work with production to ensure storyboards are delivered to editorial on time for animatic build phases.
- Attend and participate in editorial reviews in preparation for animatics.
- Work with production to create additional story notes for the vendor studio as needed.
- Work with production to ensure storyboards are labeled properly during storyboard revisions.
- Ensure that each episode is completed on time and with the approval of the Head of Story.
- Prepare for and lead storyboard handouts to artists by communicating storytelling direction, design requirements, and expected level of polish to the Storyboard team
- Participate in storyboard reviews and provide clear notes for revisions
- Evaluate the continuity and quality of all storyboards and punch up the storyboards and/or animatics as needed
- Provide status updates, troubleshoot, and review potential changes on a regular basis with production staff
- Mentor and support the Storyboard team and cultivate positive team morale
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of industry experience, preferably in CG TV animation.
- Prior directorial experience essential, ideally in a series
- Proven skills in storyboarding, animation camera composition, storytelling and animation timing required
- Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Art or related field strongly preferred
- Strong organizational and leadership skills coupled with trusted communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal)
- Proven ability to work effectively with all levels of production crew, artistic staff and management
To apply, send a resume and a link to your reel. Please make sure to include any passwords to your work in your cover letter and/or in your resume. In addition please include a breakdown of your work.
The anticipated base salary for this position is $2,854/week to $3,400/week. This role may also qualify for incentives and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.
Sony Pictures Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
