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Knifewing Entertainment is a dynamic animation studio dedicated to creating engaging, culturally meaningful, and high-quality television content for global audiences. We are currently developing a series that incorporates Native American heritage and storytelling, and we are seeking an experienced Animation Director who can help bring authenticity, respect, and creative excellence to the project.

The Animation Director will oversee the visual storytelling and animation quality of the series, ensuring that the creative vision is executed consistently across all episodes. This role requires strong leadership, a deep understanding of animation pipelines, and a demonstrated appreciation for or knowledge of Native American heritage and culture to support authentic representation.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the overall visual style, tone, and storytelling of the series
• Collaborate with producers, writers, and cultural consultants to ensure accurate and respectful representation of Native American themes and traditions
• Provide clear creative direction to storyboard artists, designers, and animation teams
• Review storyboards, animatics, layouts, and final animation to ensure quality, continuity, and cultural authenticity
• Maintain consistency in character performance, timing, and visual style across episodes
• Guide the integration of cultural elements, symbolism, and storytelling traditions into the animation
• Manage production schedules and ensure deadlines are met
• Mentor and support artists, fostering a collaborative and inclusive creative environment
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and external production partners

Qualifications

• Proven experience directing animated television series or comparable projects
• Strong understanding of animation principles, storytelling, and cinematic techniques
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience working with, Native American heritage, cultures, and storytelling traditions
• Experience collaborating with cultural advisors or community stakeholders
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple episodes and teams simultaneously
• Proficiency with industry-standard tools (e.g., Toon Boom, Adobe Creative Suite)

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in storyboarding or animation
• Experience working with diverse teams and international studios
• Personal or professional connection to Native American communities (encouraged but not required)
• Direct experience working on culturally grounded or historically inspired content

Knifewing Entertainment is a dynamic animation studio producing high-quality television content for global audiences. We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Production Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of an animated TV series and ensure the production runs efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.

The Production Manager will be responsible for managing the production pipeline, coordinating across departments, and maintaining schedules and budgets throughout the series. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of animation production workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and track production schedules for all phases of the series
• Coordinate communication between departments including writing, storyboarding, design, animation, and post-production
• Monitor production progress and identify potential delays or issues, implementing solutions as needed
• Manage budgets and track costs to ensure financial targets are met
• Oversee delivery timelines and ensure all assets meet quality and technical standards
• Work closely with producers, directors, and studio leadership to align production goals
• Supervise production staff and coordinators, providing guidance and support
• Liaise with external vendors, studios, and partners as needed
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting throughout the production lifecycle

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Production Manager or similar role in animation or television production
• Strong understanding of animation pipelines and workflows
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules, and resources effectively
• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with production tracking tools and software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on animated TV series
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools (e.g., ShotGrid, Toon Boom, Adobe Creative Suite)
• Experience working with international teams or outsourced animation studios

Knifewing Entertainment is a dynamic animation studio dedicated to creating engaging, culturally meaningful, and high-quality television content for global audiences. We are currently developing a series that incorporates Native American heritage and storytelling.

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative Animation Character Designer with demonstrated expertise in designing compelling characters for animated television series, films, or digital media. The ideal candidate combines exceptional artistic ability with a deep understanding of Native American cultures, traditions, histories, and contemporary communities to help create authentic, respectful, and engaging characters.

Key Responsibilities

• Design original characters for animated productions, including main cast, supporting characters, background and incidental characters, and creature and animal designs
• Produce professional design packages including turnarounds (front, side, back, 3/4 views), expression sheets, pose sheets, costume variations, prop integration, and color styling guides
• Collaborate closely with the Art Director, Animation Director, and cultural consultants and tribal representatives
• Ensure all character designs align with the series visual style, production requirements, and animation pipeline constraints
• Conduct research into Native American traditions, clothing, symbolism, art forms, and cultural practices while recognizing the diversity among tribes and nations
• Help avoid stereotypes and cultural inaccuracies by incorporating authentic design elements and contemporary Indigenous perspectives

Required Qualifications

• Professional experience in animation character design for television, streaming, film, or interactive media
• Strong portfolio demonstrating character design for animated productions and emotional range and expression
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony, and Adobe Illustrator
• Strong understanding of animation pipelines, model sheet creation, and design for rigged and hand-drawn animation

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Native American cultures, histories, and artistic traditions, with experience researching or collaborating with Indigenous communities
• Experience on children's or family animated programming

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Adaptability in fast-paced production environments
• Passion for creating positive and empowering Indigenous representation in media

Compensation

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, production scale, and scope of responsibilities.

Knifewing Entertainment is a dynamic animation studio dedicated to creating engaging, culturally meaningful, and high-quality television content for global audiences. We are currently developing a series that incorporates Native American heritage and storytelling.

We are seeking an experienced Animation Background Designer to create visually compelling environments for an animated television series featuring Native American characters, stories, and cultural themes. The ideal candidate combines exceptional artistic skills with a respectful understanding of Native American cultures, traditions, landscapes, and visual storytelling.

This role requires close collaboration with the director, writers, art directors, and cultural consultants to ensure environments are authentic, engaging, and production-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and paint high-quality background artwork for the 2D animated production
• Create environment concepts including natural landscapes, villages, interiors, ceremonial spaces, and contemporary settings
• Develop backgrounds that support storytelling, mood, and character action
• Maintain consistency with the show's visual style and color scripts
• Research regional architecture, geography, clothing motifs, and cultural elements relevant to Native American communities
• Collaborate with Native American cultural advisors and tribal consultants to ensure respectful and accurate representation
• Prepare production-ready layered files for animation pipelines
• Revise artwork based on feedback from directors and production teams while meeting deadlines
• Contribute to world-building and visual development throughout the production process

Required Qualifications

• Professional experience in animation background design for television, streaming, or feature films
• Strong portfolio demonstrating environment design, layout, and digital painting skills
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony, and TVPaint
• Strong understanding of composition, color, lighting, and perspective
• Experience working within animation production pipelines and schedules
• Ability to adapt to established art styles while contributing creative ideas

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Native American cultures, histories, and artistic traditions, with experience researching or collaborating with Indigenous communities
• Experience on children's or family animated programming

Desired Skills & Attributes

• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Adaptability in fast-paced production environments
• Passion for creating positive and empowering Indigenous representation in media

Compensation

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, production scale, and scope of responsibilities.

Knifewing Entertainment is a dynamic and creative studio focused on producing high-quality animated content across television, digital platforms, and film. We are seeking talented and visually driven Storyboard Artists to join our team and help bring compelling stories to life.

The Animation Storyboard Artist will be responsible for translating scripts and concepts into visual sequences that effectively communicate story, pacing, camera movement, and character performance. This role requires strong storytelling skills, a deep understanding of cinematic language, and the ability to collaborate closely with directors, writers, and animators.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop storyboards from scripts, outlines, or verbal direction
• Interpret narrative beats into clear, engaging visual sequences
• Collaborate with directors and creative leads to refine storytelling and shot composition
• Revise boards based on feedback while maintaining artistic quality and deadlines
• Convey character emotion, acting, and staging through drawings
• Maintain continuity and consistency throughout sequences
• Prepare storyboard panels for animatics or production handoff

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a storyboard artist in animation (TV, film, or digital content)
• Strong drawing skills with a solid understanding of anatomy, perspective, and composition
• Excellent storytelling ability, including pacing, staging, and visual clarity
• Familiarity with storyboard software (e.g., Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop)
• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a studio production pipeline
• Knowledge of animation principles and cinematography
• Ability to adapt to different artistic styles

Compensation

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, production scale, and scope of responsibilities.