About Me.
Hi! I'm Manuela, a 20-year-old Colombian director, and 3D Animator based in the Bay area, California. Fueled by my love for coffee and a passion for storytelling, I’m on a mission to create films that resonate deeply with people.
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I want to make and help people feel understood. To make them laugh, make them cry, and feel safe to express their emotions when watching a film. Every emotion and experience has its beauty, and learning how to love it through the art of film and animation is truly magical.​
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experience
Oct 2023 - present
AnimSchool Content Creator
Create social media content for AnimSchool and their indie animated show "MechWest".
mar 2023 - present
Write for Animation Community Manager
Assist screenwriters master their craft and make meaningful steps toward bringing their stories to life on the big screen.
Help organize panels at major events like
Animation Is Film Festival and LightBox Expo.
Education
2024
X in a Box
Story Xperiential
Follow the process Pixar uses to create and exhibit your own storyreel. Learn directly from pros and receive feedback from our creative community at every step
Spring 2023
Women In Animation Mentee
Women in Animation’s Mentorship Program is a unique and competitive opportunity for motivated, hardworking, and dedicated students and professionals looking to advance a career in animation. As a mentee in Women in Animation's "Breaking into Animation Production With Confidence" circle with Sarah Serata, I gained a solid understanding of the Animation Production Pipeline and learned how to create strong job application materials.
The program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the Animation Production Pipeline, job application processes, and professional etiquette. Sarah Serata's guidance on building self-confidence and communication skills was particularly valuable. Overall, the program equipped me with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in animation production.
2021-2023
3D Character Animation
AnimSchool
As an AnimSchool 3D Animation Program student, I received an education that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). I've had the opportunity to learn from great industry professionals from studios like Dreamworks, Sony Pictures, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. With an emphasis on the Character program, AnimSchool's curriculum has prepared me for a competitive field and equipped me with the skills necessary to succeed in the animation industry.
Here are some of the classes I took and the talented instructors who guided me:
Introduction to Maya with Justin Barret
Introduction to Animation with Jd Fievet
Animating Characters with Christine Kwok
Body Mechanics with Angelo Sta Catalina
Body Acting with Luke Randall
Character Performance with Brendan Kirschbaum
Facial Performance with Tyler Mahn
Animating Appeal and Entertainment with Bill Haller
Digital Art Fundamentals with Jesse Draper
Stylized Character Design art Ben Eblen
Character Design with Stephen Silver
2024-2025
3D Character Program
AnimSchool
Gained a better understanding of Modeling, Rigging and Lighting.
2020
Modern Art & Ideas Certificate
The Museum of Modern Art
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about modern and contemporary art. You will look at art through a variety of themes: Places & Spaces, Art & Identity, Transforming Everyday Objects, and Art & Society.
Throughout this course, you will discover how artists: -- represent place and take inspiration from their environment, -- create works of art to express, explore, and question identity, -- use everyday objects to challenge assumptions about what constitutes a work of art and how it should be made, -- and respond to the social, cultural, and political issues of their time through works of art.