DreamWorks Feature – Story Artist

DreamWorks Animation is hiring a Story Artist for feature film production at their Los Angeles studio. This role sits inside the story department, where the work is hands-on storyboard development that directly shapes how a film’s sequences read on screen, from script interpretation through pitched boards. It’s a strong fit for an experienced board artist who can move fast, take notes well, and bring a genuine sense of character and comedy to the page.

About the Role

The Story Artist position at DreamWorks sits at the center of the creative pipeline, working directly with the Director, Producer, and Head of Story to develop sequences from script to screen. Day to day, this means reading pages, breaking down scenes, boarding sequences, incorporating editorial feedback, and pitching work to production leadership. This is feature animation work at a studio with a long track record of award-winning animated films, so the bar for acting, staging, and visual storytelling is high.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze script pages and translate written material into storyboards that capture the intended tone and pacing of the sequence.
• Develop character performance and staging through the boarding process, working within the visual language established for the production.
• Pitch completed boards to show leadership and editorial, presenting sequences clearly and adjusting based on feedback.
• Iterate quickly on ideas across multiple rounds of notes, refining or reboarding sequences as the story evolves.
• Demonstrate strong draftsmanship that communicates acting, action, and composition efficiently within the animation studio workflow.
• Manage time across concurrent sequences while staying aligned with the production schedule and department priorities.

What You Bring

• Three or more years of professional storyboard experience, ideally on animated feature film production or high-volume episodic animation.
• Solid working knowledge of Photoshop or comparable digital drawing software used in animation production pipelines.
• Strong grasp of acting, anatomy, perspective, staging, and editorial structure as they apply to boarded sequences.
• A reel or portfolio of storyboard work is required as part of the application, demonstrating range across action, performance, and comedy.
• A BA in Art, Animation, or equivalent professional experience is preferred.

Why This Role

DreamWorks Animation has produced some of the most widely seen animated films in the industry, and a Story Artist credit here carries real weight on a resume. The studio operates on a hybrid schedule with a minimum of four days per week in the Los Angeles office, which means consistent in-person collaboration with the story and directing team. The compensation range for this position is $95,618 to $135,000 annually.

Apply now for the DreamWorks Feature Story Artist role and submit your reel or portfolio alongside your resume for consideration.