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Svyatoslav (Slava) Ushakov is an internationally recognized animation artist and storyboard director with more than 30 animation festival awards. He began his professional career at age 17 and has worked across major studios and award-winning animated projects as an animator, co-director, art director, and writer. From early work at Alexander Tatarsky’s Pilot studio to leading roles on projects such as The Hunter (Jim Henson Prize winner), the MTV-awarded Haru Mambaru clip, and multiple feature films (including Belka and Strelka - Star Dogs), Slava has also served as series director and co-writer in later work, including at Blanca Pictures shaping the GINJI universe.…Svyatoslav (Slava) Ushakov is an internationally recognized animation artist and storyboard director with more than 30 animation festival awards. He began his professional career at age 17 and has worked across major studios and award-winning animated projects as an animator, co-director, art director, and writer. From early work at Alexander Tatarsky’s Pilot studio to leading roles on projects such as The Hunter (Jim Henson Prize winner), the MTV-awarded Haru Mambaru clip, and multiple feature films (including Belka and Strelka - Star Dogs), Slava has also served as series director and co-writer in later work, including at Blanca Pictures shaping the GINJI universe.

Svyatoslav (Slava) I. Ushakov

Film Director, Animation Director, Storyboard Artist, +3

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Svyatoslav (Slava) Ushakov is an internationally recognized animation artist and storyboard director with more than 30 animation festival awards. He began his professional career at age 17 and has worked across major studios and award-winning animated projects as an animator, co-director, art director, and writer. From early work at Alexander Tatarsky’s Pilot studio to leading roles on projects such as The Hunter (Jim Henson Prize winner), the MTV-awarded Haru Mambaru clip, and multiple feature films (including Belka and Strelka - Star Dogs), Slava has also served as series director and co-writer in later work, including at Blanca Pictures shaping the GINJI universe.…Svyatoslav (Slava) Ushakov is an internationally recognized animation artist and storyboard director with more than 30 animation festival awards. He began his professional career at age 17 and has worked across major studios and award-winning animated projects as an animator, co-director, art director, and writer. From early work at Alexander Tatarsky’s Pilot studio to leading roles on projects such as The Hunter (Jim Henson Prize winner), the MTV-awarded Haru Mambaru clip, and multiple feature films (including Belka and Strelka - Star Dogs), Slava has also served as series director and co-writer in later work, including at Blanca Pictures shaping the GINJI universe.

Available to hire

Svyatoslav (Slava) Ushakov is an internationally recognized animation artist and storyboard director with more than 30 animation festival awards. He began his professional career at age 17 and has worked across major studios and award-winning animated projects as an animator, co-director, art director, and writer.

From early work at Alexander Tatarsky’s Pilot studio to leading roles on projects such as The Hunter (Jim Henson Prize winner), the MTV-awarded Haru Mambaru clip, and multiple feature films (including Belka and Strelka - Star Dogs), Slava has also served as series director and co-writer in later work, including at Blanca Pictures shaping the GINJI universe.

Skills

Adobe Photoshop

Animation

Leadership

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Character Design

Experience Level

Adobe Photoshop

Expert

Animation

Expert

Leadership

Expert

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Expert

Character Design

Expert

Toon Boom Harmony

Intermediate

3D Animation

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Russian

Fluent

Work Experience

Lead Director at Blanca Pictures

January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022

Directed the TV series Gingi, overseeing creative execution and visual storytelling. Delivered award-recognized work and managed production expectations from concept refinement through final animation delivery.

Series Director and Co-Writer at Blanca Pictures

January 1, 2019 - Present

Joined the Cyprus-based studio in 2019 to help imagine and shape the GINJI universe. Guided creative and technical production steps, co-designed characters with Craig Kellman, and served as series director and co-writer on multiple series episodes.

Series Director and Co-Writer at Blanca Pictures (Cyprus-based)

January 1, 2019 - Present

Joined to help imagine and shape the GINJI universe. Guided creative and technical direction, co-designed characters with Craig Kellman, and served as series director and co-writer on a number of series episodes.

Co-Director at Bremen Robbers

January 1, 2017 - Present

Co-directed feature film production, supporting the overall creative execution and story-to-screen translation.

Art Director / Animation Studio at Animation Studio "Blanca"

January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2022

Oversaw art direction and visual quality across multiple animation projects. Mentored junior artists and managed cross-functional creative teams. Ensured consistent visual development and production-ready assets through the pipeline, supporting storyboarding/visual development needs and maintaining style coherence under deadlines.

Art Director at Art Pictures Studio

January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2017

Led visual development and design for multiple animation projects. Developed and maintained visual style direction, supporting overall creative consistency from early concepts through production needs, coordinating with team members to meet schedule and quality requirements.

Director and Art Director

January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011

Directed and art directed the animated feature Belka and Strelka - Star dogs, which won multiple awards including Golden Eagle (Best Animated Movie), the Golden Kuker (Best Animated Movie) at Sofia, and a diploma at the Hiroshima Animation Film Festival.

Director / Art Director

January 1, 2010 - Present

Directed and provided art direction for the feature film Belka and Strelka: Star Dogs; delivered award-recognized visual storytelling.

Art Director & Owner at Animation Studio "Aviator"

January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2014

Founded and managed the studio, directing projects from conception to delivery. Handled budgets and schedules while leading creative teams, maintaining production standards, and ensuring the studio’s output met artistic and technical expectations.

Director and Art Director at Bazelevs Studio

January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007

Directed and art directed “The Wizard of Oz” animated feature from 2005 to 2007 at Timur Bekmambetov’s Bazelevs Studio, overseeing creative direction and visual style for the production.

Lead Animator at Klasky Csupo

January 1, 2005 - Present

Served as lead animator on “The Wild Thornberrys Movie”. The film featured a high-profile voice cast and achieved significant box office success, grossing more than $60M.

Director and Art Director at Bazelevs Studio (Timur Bekmambetov)

January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007

Directed and art directed The Wizard of Oz.

Art Director at CNF Animation Studio

January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2010

Collaborated with international partners on co-productions, contributing to visual development and art direction. Worked within shared production processes, supporting consistent style execution and pipeline coordination across teams.

Storyboard Artist, Character Layout & Animation at Klasky Csupo

January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2002

Contributed to production work on a major studio feature, supporting storyboarding, character layout, and animation tasks within a large-scale pipeline.

Storyboard Director & Artist at Mike, Lu & Og (TV Series) - Cartoon Network (LA)

January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2002

Directed storyboarding and contributed as an artist across full production cycles for a network TV series.

Storyboard Director & Artist - Animator, Character Design at Kinofilm (LA)

January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2001

Led storyboard teams for network animation and developed characters and sequences for television production.

Storyboard Director & Artist-Animator at Kinofilm (LA)

January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2001

Led storyboard teams and developed characters and sequences for network television. Balanced directorial storyboard oversight with hands-on animation/character design contributions to support episode-ready storytelling.

Storyboard Director at Kinofilm

January 1, 1998 - Present

Invited in 1998 to work as a storyboard director at a Los Angeles-based animation studio. With his team, he created the Cartoon Network animated series “Mike, Lu & Og”, contributing to story planning and visual narrative development for the series.

Series Storyboard/Director Work (Animation Series: Mike, Lu & Og) at Kinofilm

January 1, 1998 - Present

Created the animated series Mike, Lu & Og for Cartoon Network with a team at Kinofilm.

Storyboard Director at Kinofilm (Los Angeles-based animation studio)

January 1, 1998 - Present

Director (Animated Music Clip)

January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1995

Made the animated music clip Haru Mambaru, a Russian TV hit for years and the MTV award winner for Best Clip of the Year (1995).

Principal Artist-Animator

January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1991

Principal artist-animator for The Hunter, which earned the 1991 Jim Henson Prize at the 4th International Animation Celebration in Los Angeles.

Animator, Screenwriter, Co-Director (various roles) at Pilot (Alexander Tatarsky’s animation studio)

January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1998

Joined the studio in 1987 and developed his career as an animator, screenwriter, and co-director, contributing to the creation of multiple animated films. His tenure included artistic collaboration that led to major professional recognition and opportunities for international projects.

Animator / Screenwriter / Co-Director at Pilot (Alexander Tatarsky’s studio)

January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1998

Art Director at Animation Studio "Pilot"

January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1999

Served as Art Director, Producer, Animator, and Designer; supported production teams and delivered award-winning short-form animation.

Co-Director

January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1999

Co-directed multiple short films and contributed as producer/animator/designer within the studio pipeline.

Art Director, Producer, Animator, Designer at Animation Studio "Pilot"

January 1, 1987 - January 1, 1999

Co-directed multiple award-winning short films. Managed production teams and contributed across art direction, animation, and design responsibilities, supporting end-to-end execution of short-form projects.