Company: Cheers Dog Ears

    The Storyboard Supervisor is a pivotal leadership role within our production ecosystem. Positioned at the intersection of writing, directing, and physical production, you will oversee the entire storyboarding department from initial script kickoff through to the final animatic delivery. Pre-school animation requires a unique and sophisticated touch. It demands absolute clarity of action, deliberate pacing, strong staging, and an innate understanding of how young children process visual information. Your primary mission will be to ensure that every episode maintains the high aesthetic standards, emotional resonance, and comedic timing that our audience expects, all while keeping the production pipeline running smoothly and efficiently. Job Overview : Storyboard Supervisor Position Storyboard Supervisor Company Cheers Dog Ears Location Studio-Based (On-Site) Contract Duration 11-Month Fixed-Term Core Software Required Toon Boom Storyboard Pro Minimum Experience 5+ Years (with prior supervisory experience) Application Deadline Friday, July 17th @ 5:00 PM Contact Email jobs@cheersdogears.com Email Subject Line StoryboardSUP_your name   Introduction & Studio Overview At Cheers Dog Ears, we believe that the stories we tell today shape the imaginations of tomorrow. Our studio has built a reputation for crafting heartfelt, visually stunning, and deeply engaging content that resonates with audiences globally. We are thrilled to announce an opening for a Storyboard Supervisor to join our creative leadership team for an 11-month, studio-based contract. This specific role offers an unparalleled opportunity to work on a beloved, high-profile animated series. If you are a seasoned story artist with a passion for the nuances of pre-school media, a deep understanding of visual mechanics, and a natural knack for leadership, we want to hear from you. As a Storyboard Supervisor, you will not just be managing a team; you will be the guardian of the show’s visual comedy, emotional heart, and narrative clarity. Working from our vibrant, collaborative studio space, you will collaborate closely with the Director, Art Director, and episodic writers to translate written scripts into dynamic, screen-ready blueprints. Core Responsibilities as Storyboard Supervisor Your day-to-day operations will span creative direction, team mentorship, pipeline management, and cross-departmental collaboration. The scope of your duties includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: 1. Team Leadership, Mentorship, & Daily Supervision Creative Briefing: Lead comprehensive launch and briefing sessions for the storyboard artists at the start of each episode or sequence, ensuring they completely grasp the narrative goals, subtext, and specific gags. Work-in-Progress (WIP) Reviews: Conduct regular, structured desk reviews and digital milestone check-ins. Provide constructive, actionable, and inspiring feedback that elevates the artists’ work while respecting their individual creative voices. Mentorship: Act as a dedicated mentor to the boarding team, helping junior and mid-level artists develop their skills in cinematography, character acting, and draftsmanship. Resource Allocation: Assess the strengths of individual artists to assign sequences that match their specific talents, whether they excel at high-energy action, delicate emotional beats, or complex physical comedy. 2. Establishing Visual & Cinematic Standards Rule Enforcement: Define, maintain, and enforce the specific “boarding rules” of the show. This includes establishing guidelines for camera language, field sizes, cutting continuity, and character staging tailored to pre-school content. Style Guide Management: Work with the Director to create and update a comprehensive Storyboard Style Guide that addresses recurring composition choices, safe areas, and specialized character acting parameters. Quality Control: Ensure that all storyboard sequences reflect a high level of draftsmanship, accurate character models, expressive posing, and clear depth. 3. Pipeline Design & Workflow Management Delivery Standardization: Establish and oversee a clear, predictable, and frictionless pipeline for delivering storyboard panels and Toon Boom Storyboard Pro projects to the Editorial department. Iterative Milestones: Manage the workflow from initial thumbnail passes and rough structural beats down to clean poses, timing indications, and final delivery for the animatic edit. Retake Optimization: Standardize the revision and retake process. Review editorial notes alongside the Director and streamline the re-boarding workflow to resolve structural or continuity issues quickly. 4. Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Strategy Sequence Kickoffs: Actively participate in high-level script and sequence launch meetings alongside the Director, Head of Writing, and Line Producer to identify potential production bottlenecks or staging issues before drawing begins. Art Department Synergy: Partner closely with the Art Director to evaluate upcoming location and set designs. Ensure that background layouts match the blocking needs of the storyboards, expanding the existing universe organically and cost-effectively. Production Liaison: Work hand-in-hand with the Production Management team to track weekly quotas, monitor delivery schedules, and proactively address any issues that might impact the overall production timeline.   Candidate Requirements & Qualifications at Storyboard Supervisor Cheers Dog Ears is seeking a seasoned animation professional who pairs technical expertise with excellent interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate must meet the following criteria: Professional Experience Industry Longevity: A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience working within a dedicated storyboard department for episodic animated series or feature films. Leadership Track Record: Proven previous experience in a supervisory, head of story, or lead storyboard capacity. You must demonstrate a track record of successfully guiding a team through an entire production cycle. Target Audience Familiarity: Prior experience working on pre-school or young-audience content is highly desirable. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the specific clarity, framing, and pacing required for this demographic. Technical Skills Software Mastery: Absolute proficiency in Toon Boom Storyboard Pro is mandatory. You must be comfortable troubleshooting structural, layout, and timeline issues within the software. Cinematic Fundamentals: An exceptional grasp of film grammar, camera placement, lens choices, continuity, spatial awareness, and dynamic staging. Draftsmanship: Excellent drawing skills with an emphasis on structural anatomy, expressive character acting, clear posing, and strong compositional weight. Interpersonal & Soft Skills Communication Excellence: Strong verbal and written communication skills. You must be capable of articulating abstract creative ideas clearly to your team, production staff, and executive stakeholders. Collaborative Mindset: A proven ability to work constructively within a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and quality-driven environment. You must welcome creative pushback and treat notes as opportunities for growth. Problem-Solving Agility: A proactive attitude toward creative and technical challenges, with the ability to come up with … Read more