Company: Tonko House

  Tonko House is entering an exciting development phase for a brand-new, animated comedy series. The project is a classic, character-driven “fish-out-of-water” tale, and we are seeking a exceptionally talented Storyboard Artist who can bring sharp comedic timing, expressive character acting, and inventive visual humor to our foundational story reels. As a Storyboard Artist during this vital development window, your primary mission is to breathe life, physical comedy, and mechanical charm into the project’s central relationships. Working closely with our Writer, Editor, and Showrunner, you will translate scripts into dynamic sequences that establish the pacing, tone, and comedic architecture of our universe. This is a temporary, remote contract for a seasoned artist who excels at physical gags, cinematic staging, and translating raw story outlines into unforgettable animatic sequences.   Job Overview : Storyboard Artist Job Details Specification Job Title Storyboard Artist (Development Phase) Studio / Producer Tonko House Location 100% Remote (Global Freelance Contract) Project Type Brand-New Animated Comedy Series (“Fish-out-of-Water” Concept) Contract Status Temporary / Milestone-Based Development Contract Core Software Stack Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop Key Frameworks 2D Storytelling referenced against 3D Environment Layouts Application Method Digital Portfolio & Resume Submission   About Tonko House Tonko House is an independent, award-winning animation studio founded by Pixar alumni Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi following the Academy Award nomination of their beloved short film, The Dam Keeper. We are a critically acclaimed collective dedicated to constant artistic exploration, storytelling curiosity, and creative excellence across a wide variety of visual mediums. Tonko House milestones speak to our passion for the craft: Tonko House was nominated for an Eisner Award for The Dam Keeper graphic novel, received the Grand Prize at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival for the episodic series PIG: The Dam Keeper Poems, and most recently took home both Annie and Emmy Awards for our groundbreaking Netflix Limited Series, ONI: Thunder God’s Tale. Tonko House operate on a fully remote studio model, connecting and collaborating with top-tier global talent to build meaningful, visually arresting worlds. At Tonko House, we believe stories start as seeds deep within us—join us, and let’s grow those seeds into inspiring tales together.   Key Responsibilities as Storyboard Artist In this role (storyboard artist), you will bridge physical comedic performance with technical cinematic staging: 1. Comedic Storyboarding & Sequential Acting Visual Comedy Execution: Translate scripts and showrunner notes into clear, highly expressive storyboard panels that emphasize physical comedy, situational irony, and rapid-fire comedic timing. Character-Driven Performance: Craft distinct visual personalities, bold posing, and subtle micro-expressions that amplify the humor of an eccentric character navigating a completely unfamiliar world. Structural Pacing: Establish tight screen direction, clear spatial relationships, and seamless continuity across narrative sequences, ensuring flawless transitions for the editing team during animatic construction. 2. 3D Space Integration & Cinematic Layouts Staging in 3D Environments: Utilize pre-built 3D environmental sets and gray-boxes as background references to frame dynamic camera angles, exaggerate scale disparities, and design spatial gags that heighten comedic tension. Cinematic Language Mastery: Deploy clever camera choices, focal lengths, and composition tricks to manipulate audience attention and squeeze maximum humor out of every frame. 3. Remote Synergy & Collaborative Prototyping Pitching & Iteration: Pitch rough and cleaned sequence panels to the creative leadership team over live video reviews, absorbing creative critiques and executing rapid revisions with a low-ego mindset. Pipeline Communication: Actively organize, track, and upload your sequence files within our remote studio management software, independently meeting production milestones across global time zones.   Requirements & Qualifications for Storyboard Artist Tonko House is looking for an independent Storyboard Artist with an elite comedic sensibility and strong technical foundations: Core Creative & Technical Profile Exemplary Comedy Portfolio: A sequential storyboard portfolio or animatic reel that demonstrates a profound mastery of physical comedy, acting choices, clear silhouettes, and caricature. Cinematic Pacing Mastery: A deep understanding of editing timing, staging principles, camera movement syntax, and how to control comedic tension through sequential images. 3D Layout Comfort: Comfort working alongside 3D environment layout assets, using simple 3D primitives or geometry blocks as accurate perspective guidelines. Software Proficiency: Expert command of industry-standard storyboarding software suites, specifically Toon Boom Storyboard Pro or Adobe Photoshop. Professional Mindset Remote Production Efficiency: Self-motivated, disciplined, and highly organized with file infrastructure, with a proven track record of hitting rigid deadlines independently in a work-from-home setting. Adaptable Collaboration: A highly receptive attitude toward creative alignment, director feedback, and fast-paced iterative environments where scripts evolve quickly.   Work Structure & Communication Location: 100% Remote (Open to global applicants with verified remote pipelines). Framework: Temporary, independent contractor agreement tied to the project’s development cycle. Coordination: Asynchronous and real-time collaboration managed via video reviews, Slack, and digital pipeline trackers.   How to Apply If you are ready to lend your comedic voice to a pristine, creator-driven development cycle at an independent studio, please submit your application to our recruiting portal. Application Email Address: career@moleworks.studio (Please replace with the official Tonko House job application submission channel or link if applying directly) Required Email Subject Format: Storyboard Artist Application (Development Phase) – [Your Name] Required Application Components Professional Resume / CV: A clean, organized breakdown detailing your industry tenure, shipped animation/story credits, and core software proficiencies (PDF format preferred). Sequential Portfolio Link: A direct hyperlink to your online portfolio or password-protected story reels.   ⚠️ Note: Your portfolio must explicitly prioritize sequential comedy panels, character performance sheets, or finished animatics. Please ensure any passwords or access links are clearly written in the body of your email.