Hollywood Storyboard Artist Behind Sonic, Lord of the Rings, and How to Train Your Dragon Leads iACADEMY Workshop
Renowned storyboard artist Toniko Pantoja, known for his work on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019), led iACADEMY’s virtual storyboarding workshop on November 22, 2025, giving students direct exposure to the creative processes behind major international productions.
The event, hosted by iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts, provided participants with a structured deep dive into Pantoja’s professional workflow, covering visual sequencing, cinematic staging, and narrative clarity essential to studio-level storyboard development.
Pantoja also had an exclusive segment where he gave feedback to selected iACADEMY student works. Three student groups were given the opportunity to present their Story Concept and Production Bible for the start of the short animated thesis project. Pantoja viewed their works personally and offered technical feedback aligned with industry standards.
According to iACADEMY, sessions like this aim to address the widening skills gap between academic training and global creative industry demands. Through direct immersion with experienced practitioners, the institution strengthens its goal of preparing students for real-world production environments.
“Our responsibility is to equip students with exposure that actually mirrors the industry they want to enter,” said Dean Hamill Buyco, Dean of the School of Design and the Arts. “Learning from someone whose work has shaped films watched around the world gives our students a clear picture of the discipline, rigor, and creativity required at the professional level. Opportunities like this sharpen their perspective and push them to aim Beyond Better.”
The workshop forms part of iACADEMY’s broader initiative to connect its learners with leading creatives, studios, and production professionals shaping contemporary animation and film. By integrating mentorship, project-based learning, and expert-led sessions, iACADEMY continues establishing itself as a training ground for future Game Changers in digital arts and storytelling.