Blue Zoo Animation Studio is looking for a creatively bold and narratively driven 3D Storyboard Supervisor to lead the visual development of an exciting new 3D production. This is a critical leadership role responsible for bridging the gap between a written script and a dynamic on-screen performance, ensuring that the unique charm, tone, and humor of our storytelling are preserved throughout the pipeline.
As a B Corp certified studio, Blue Zoo is committed to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. We don’t just aim to create world-class animation; we aim to create a world-class environment for the artists who make it. This role is a Regional Opportunity , specifically seeking talent based in the UK but outside the London M25 area, as part of our commitment to supporting the vibrant creative communities across the British regions.
Job Overview: 3D Storyboard Supervisor
Entity Details
Company Name Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Position 3D Storyboard Supervisor
Vacancy Type Fixed-Term Contract (Mid-June 2026 – Oct 2026)
Location UK Regional (Strictly Outside M25)
Work Mode Flexible / Hybrid / Remote (UK Based Only)
Primary Software PanelForge & Storyboard Pro
Certification B Corp Certified Studio
The Mission: Translating Vision to Sequence
The 3D Storyboard Supervisor is the guardian of the show’s visual narrative. You will lead a team of talented Storyboard Artists and Revisionists, guiding them from the initial thumbnailing phase through to final clean-up. Your goal is to ensure that every sequence not only looks fantastic but functions perfectly within the technical constraints of a 3D animation pipeline.
You will work as a close collaborator with the Directors and the Editor, acting as the primary point of technical and narrative alignment for the story team. Whether you are refining a character’s comedic beat or troubleshooting a complex action sequence in PanelForge, your leadership will define the “soul” of the production.
Key Responsibilities as 3D Storyboard Supervisor & Day-to-Day Impact
- Team Supervision: Manage a dedicated team of Storyboard Artists and Revisionists. You will be responsible for providing clear, actionable feedback that elevates the quality of the boards while maintaining the established style.
- Briefing & Brainstorming: Brief the story team alongside the Directors, breaking down scripts to identify key emotional beats, staging opportunities, and potential production hurdles.
- Style Stewardship: Establish and maintain the visual “language” of the show. You will ensure that the tone and humor remain consistent across all episodes, even when multiple artists are contributing.
2. Narrative & Technical Oversight
- Thumbnail Review: Work closely with artists at the thumbnail stage to ensure story continuity, clear staging, and effective pacing before the team moves into full production.
- Technical Integration: Ensure all boards are optimized for a 3D environment. This involves a strong understanding of how 2D boards translate into 3D layouts, specifically using tools like PanelForge .
- Animatic Collaboration: Partner with the Editor to ensure the first animatic pass captures the essence of the script and works on a technical level for the layout and animation departments.
- Feedback Integration: Collate feedback from Directors and external clients. You will be responsible for actioning this feedback, distributing it to the team, and ensuring revisions are completed within the production schedule.
- Progress Tracking: Keep the Directors and Production Manager informed of episode progress. You must be proactive in flagging issues early and proposing creative or technical solutions.
- Review Documentation: Produce clear annotations for client reviews, ensuring that notes regarding editorial development are accurately communicated and understood.
Candidate Profile: Qualifications & Experience
Blue Zoo Animation Studio is looking for a storyteller who understands that “how” a story is told is just as important as the story itself. You should have a portfolio that demonstrates not just great drawing, but an expert grasp of cinematography and 3D space.
Core Requirements (Must Have)
- Leadership Experience: Previous experience as a Storyboard Supervisor or Lead Storyboard Artist on a professional production.
- Artistic Mastery: Accomplished drawing skills with a deep understanding of layout, perspective, and composition within a 3D context.
- Cinematic Expertise: An excellent understanding of film language, staging, pacing, and narrative structure. You know how to “edit” on the page.
- Communication Skills: The ability to communicate complex creative ideas clearly and concisely to your team, directors, and clients.
- Software Fluency: Strong knowledge of digital storyboarding workflows. Experience with PanelForge is highly desirable given the 3D nature of the production.
- Regional Eligibility: As per client requirements, you must be based in the UK and reside outside the M25 .
Bonus Points
- Mentorship: A passion for coaching junior artists and helping them develop their skills within the studio environment.
- Technical Troubleshooting: Experience navigating the specific technical hurdles of a storyboard-to-CG pipeline.
Award-Winning Culture
- Best Places to Work: We have been recognized by Broadcast as one of the Best Places to Work in TV for 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 .
- Diversity & Inclusion: We invite everyone to “bring their whole selves to work.” We believe that a diverse group of people leads to better, fresher perspectives and more engaging work.
- The Shorts Programme: Participate in our internal self-funded shorts programme, giving you the chance to experiment and lead projects outside of commercial production.
- Flexible Working: We offer genuine flexible and hybrid working options to support your work-life balance.
- Financial Security: Participation in our Profit Share scheme (for those with 2+ years of service) and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Employee Voice: Bi-monthly feedback and engagement programs ensure your voice is heard and helps shape the future of the studio.
- Social Life: Access to many fun in-person and remote social events throughout the year.
Contractual & Eligibility Details
- Timeline: This is a focused, fixed-term contract starting in mid-June 2026 and running through October 2026 .
- Right to Work: All candidates must possess the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.
- Regional Requirement: Please note that this is a “Regional Only” role. We are looking for talent based outside the M25 to satisfy specific project requirements aimed at decentralizing production.
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