Story Apprentice

As a Story Apprentice at Skydance Animation, you will play a crucial role in the production process, working closely with a mentor to bring characters and narratives to life. You'll be responsible for creating visual representations of storylines through thumbnails, roughs, and storyboards. You'll pitch your ideas to both mentors and other creative team members and adjust your work based on feedback to meet the project's vision. This hands-on experience will be invaluable in developing your storytelling skills alongside industry professionals.

To qualify for the Story Apprentice role at Skydance Animation, applicants must be 18 years or older and have approximately one year of experience as a visual development artist or related roles, while not exceeding two years in feature animation. A strong portfolio demonstrating your storyboarding and illustration skills is required, as well as a willingness to learn and actively participate in the studio's offerings. This blend of experience and enthusiasm is key to excelling in this apprenticeship.

The Story Apprentice program at Skydance Animation is a full-time, six-month commitment from June 9th to December 12th. During this period, apprentices will devote 40 hours per week to working on real projects and collaborating with their mentor and peers in our dynamic studio environment. This immersive experience is designed to accelerate your growth and understanding of the animation industry.

Throughout the Story Apprentice program at Skydance Animation, you will enhance a variety of skills essential to the animation field. You'll improve your understanding of anatomy, perspective, composition, and filmic staging while learning how to effectively communicate your ideas through storyboards. The hands-on experience, combined with feedback from seasoned professionals, will cultivate your artistic abilities and creative thinking, setting a solid foundation for your future career in animation.

Yes, there is a location requirement for the Story Apprentice position at Skydance Animation. Candidates should be located in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area or be willing to relocate for the duration of the six-month apprenticeship. This allows you to fully engage with the studio culture, collaborate with your team, and attend meetings in person.

When discussing your creative process for storyboarding, it's beneficial to highlight your approach to interpretation and visual storytelling. Start by explaining how you analyze the script for key moments and themes, then mention how you generate thumbnails to explore different concepts before developing them into refined boards. Emphasizing your adaptability to feedback while maintaining your unique artistic voice can also demonstrate your collaborative skills.

Handling constructive criticism is vital in animation. When responding to this question in an interview, illustrate your openness this by sharing a specific instance where you received feedback on your work. Discuss how you processed that feedback, made necessary revisions, and learned from the experience. This shows your maturity as an artist and your dedication to improving through mentorship.

Discussing challenges in storytelling can showcase self-awareness and growth potential. You might mention areas like pacing or creating emotional beats effectively. Highlight how you work on these areas by studying films, seeking feedback from peers, or taking additional workshops. This demonstrates your proactive approach to personal and professional development.

When asked about your goals, it's best to articulate a clear vision of what you aim to gain from the apprenticeship. You could express your desire to strengthen your skills in collaboration, learn effective pitching techniques, and understand the internal processes of animation studios. This shows motivation for growth and genuine interest in the role.

Sharing an inspiring story can allow you to showcase your passion for storytelling. Pick a narrative that resonated with you emotionally, and explain what elements stood out to you, be it character development, themes or visual aesthetics. Relating this back to your interest in animation can illustrate your personal connection to the field.

Incorporating feedback is critical in a collaborative environment. You might describe a situation where you received input from a mentor or peer and outline how you thoughtfully considered their suggestions, made adjustments to your work, and achieved a stronger final product. This emphasizes your ability to work well with others and be receptive to improvement.

When discussing character design skills, you should outline your process of study and practice. You could mention looking at anatomy references, exploring different art styles, and actively sketching characters from various angles. Sharing any online courses or workshops taken to enhance these skills can show your commitment to growth.

Effective storytelling through visual elements relies on strong composition and framing. You might explain how you consider shot angles, color palettes, and character placement to convey emotions and narratives effectively. Referencing your portfolio example—like a storyboard depicting a critical emotional moment—can illustrate your understanding seamlessly.

When discussing humor in storytelling, emphasize its importance in engaging the audience and providing relief. You can elaborate on how you analyze comedic timing and character interactions to evoke laughter, perhaps sharing a storyboard example where humor enhanced a narrative. This will showcase your comprehension of different narrative styles.

Your answer should reflect personal alignment with Skydance Animation's values and vision. Convey genuine admiration for the studio's previous works, their innovative storytelling techniques, and the collaborative environment. Highlighting how this apprenticeship aligns with your career goals emphasizes your enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the team.