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Animation Director and Storyboard Specialist with 30+ years of experience leading creative teams from concept through final delivery across feature films, TV series, and independent animation. Award-winning director known for strong visual storytelling, pacing, and production pipeline oversight. Experienced in international collaboration and remote workflows across global time zones, with notable credits including Cartoon Network, Klasky Csupo, and international studios. Recognized with 30+ awards, including Russia’s Golden Eagle Award for Best Animation Film.…Animation Director and Storyboard Specialist with 30+ years of experience leading creative teams from concept through final delivery across feature films, TV series, and independent animation. Award-winning director known for strong visual storytelling, pacing, and production pipeline oversight. Experienced in international collaboration and remote workflows across global time zones, with notable credits including Cartoon Network, Klasky Csupo, and international studios. Recognized with 30+ awards, including Russia’s Golden Eagle Award for Best Animation Film.

SVYATOSLAV "SLAVA" USHAKOV

Film Director, Animation Director, Storyboard Artist, +1

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Animation Director and Storyboard Specialist with 30+ years of experience leading creative teams from concept through final delivery across feature films, TV series, and independent animation. Award-winning director known for strong visual storytelling, pacing, and production pipeline oversight. Experienced in international collaboration and remote workflows across global time zones, with notable credits including Cartoon Network, Klasky Csupo, and international studios. Recognized with 30+ awards, including Russia’s Golden Eagle Award for Best Animation Film.…Animation Director and Storyboard Specialist with 30+ years of experience leading creative teams from concept through final delivery across feature films, TV series, and independent animation. Award-winning director known for strong visual storytelling, pacing, and production pipeline oversight. Experienced in international collaboration and remote workflows across global time zones, with notable credits including Cartoon Network, Klasky Csupo, and international studios. Recognized with 30+ awards, including Russia’s Golden Eagle Award for Best Animation Film.

Available to hire

Animation Director and Storyboard Specialist with 30+ years of experience leading creative teams from concept through final delivery across feature films, TV series, and independent animation. Award-winning director known for strong visual storytelling, pacing, and production pipeline oversight.

Experienced in international collaboration and remote workflows across global time zones, with notable credits including Cartoon Network, Klasky Csupo, and international studios. Recognized with 30+ awards, including Russia’s Golden Eagle Award for Best Animation Film.

Skills

Adobe Photoshop

Animation

Leadership

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Toon Boom Harmony

Experience Level

Adobe Photoshop

Expert

Animation

Expert

Leadership

Expert

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Expert

Toon Boom Harmony

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.

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 / 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.

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.

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.