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I’m a Los Angeles–based graduate of CalArts’ Character Animation BFA program and a Princess Grace Foundation award recipient with a strong background in storyboarding, character animation, and visual storytelling. My experience spans both independent and studio environments, including Wishbone Animation, BENT Image Lab, and Open The Portal. I’m fluent in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboard Pro, Blender, Maya, and Toon Boom, and I bring a deep understanding of both the creative and logistical sides of animation production.…I’m a Los Angeles–based graduate of CalArts’ Character Animation BFA program and a Princess Grace Foundation award recipient with a strong background in storyboarding, character animation, and visual storytelling. My experience spans both independent and studio environments, including Wishbone Animation, BENT Image Lab, and Open The Portal. I’m fluent in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboard Pro, Blender, Maya, and Toon Boom, and I bring a deep understanding of both the creative and logistical sides of animation production.

Xenia Balashov

Animator, Storyboard Artist, Video Editor, +3

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I’m a Los Angeles–based graduate of CalArts’ Character Animation BFA program and a Princess Grace Foundation award recipient with a strong background in storyboarding, character animation, and visual storytelling. My experience spans both independent and studio environments, including Wishbone Animation, BENT Image Lab, and Open The Portal. I’m fluent in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboard Pro, Blender, Maya, and Toon Boom, and I bring a deep understanding of both the creative and logistical sides of animation production.…I’m a Los Angeles–based graduate of CalArts’ Character Animation BFA program and a Princess Grace Foundation award recipient with a strong background in storyboarding, character animation, and visual storytelling. My experience spans both independent and studio environments, including Wishbone Animation, BENT Image Lab, and Open The Portal. I’m fluent in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboard Pro, Blender, Maya, and Toon Boom, and I bring a deep understanding of both the creative and logistical sides of animation production.

Available to hire

I’m a Los Angeles–based graduate of CalArts’ Character Animation BFA program and a Princess Grace Foundation award recipient with a strong background in storyboarding, character animation, and visual storytelling.
My experience spans both independent and studio environments, including Wishbone Animation, BENT Image Lab, and Open The Portal.
I’m fluent in industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboard Pro, Blender, Maya, and Toon Boom, and I bring a deep understanding of both the creative and logistical sides of animation production.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Director + Producer + Lead Animator at Wishbone Animation

March 1, 2024 - Present

Leading creative direction for animated projects from concept to final delivery; manage project timelines and budgets; collaborate with animation and production teams; responsible for character development, story structure, and visual storytelling through storyboards.

Associate Production Manager at BENT IMAGE LAB for Sony Pictures

July 1, 2023 - October 23, 2025

Maintained detailed asset tracking for production schedules and personnel; scheduled and facilitated Zoom meetings with industry professionals and vendors; coordinated animation team assignments and ensured smooth task handoffs; led daily production kickoff meetings in the Producer's absence.

Art Director & 1st Assistant Director at Open The Portal

July 1, 2021 - October 23, 2025

Storyboarded, composited, and edited an animated music video; collaborated with the Director and incorporated feedback to refine visual storytelling.

Storyboard Revisionist at Hornet

March 1, 2021 - October 23, 2025

Partnered with the Director to revise storyboards and develop new scenes; reworked existing storyboards; incorporated daily feedback for narrative clarity and pacing.

Production Coordinator at Zapruder Films for Amazon Kids

June 1, 2021 - October 23, 2025

Worked on the 'Matt and Bird Break Loose' pilot; checked in with artists about progress, assisted with animation and storyboard handoffs; created and maintained asset/production spreadsheets; facilitated communications with overseas vendor studio.

Production Intern at Open The Portal

August 1, 2020 - October 23, 2025

Created animatic breakdown spreadsheets to streamline production; wrote detailed coverage reports on scripts to support pre-production planning.