Hi! I'm Manuela Pianesi, a passionate Story Artist based in Valencia, CA. I have experience working on storyboarding for music videos and animated series, and I enjoy collaborating closely with studios and clients to bring stories to life. I studied Character Animation at CalArts and have worked on various freelance art and story projects, which has allowed me to explore a wide range of creative opportunities. I also love sharing my knowledge by helping prospective students as a tour guide and TA at CalArts, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my craft and connect with the animation community. I'm fluent in Spanish and English, and I enjoy learning new skills both artistically and technically.

Manuela Pianesi

Hi! I'm Manuela Pianesi, a passionate Story Artist based in Valencia, CA. I have experience working on storyboarding for music videos and animated series, and I enjoy collaborating closely with studios and clients to bring stories to life. I studied Character Animation at CalArts and have worked on various freelance art and story projects, which has allowed me to explore a wide range of creative opportunities. I also love sharing my knowledge by helping prospective students as a tour guide and TA at CalArts, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my craft and connect with the animation community. I'm fluent in Spanish and English, and I enjoy learning new skills both artistically and technically.

Available to hire

Hi! I’m Manuela Pianesi, a passionate Story Artist based in Valencia, CA. I have experience working on storyboarding for music videos and animated series, and I enjoy collaborating closely with studios and clients to bring stories to life. I studied Character Animation at CalArts and have worked on various freelance art and story projects, which has allowed me to explore a wide range of creative opportunities.

I also love sharing my knowledge by helping prospective students as a tour guide and TA at CalArts, and I’m always looking for ways to improve my craft and connect with the animation community. I’m fluent in Spanish and English, and I enjoy learning new skills both artistically and technically.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Storyboard Artist at Apartment D Films
February 1, 2025 - Present
Storyboarded for an unreleased music video and Ruff Ruff Danger Dogs Episode 2. Communicated and applied feedback with the studio and client.
Story Intern at Pixar
August 31, 2024 - July 22, 2025
Classroom-based internship working on weekly storyboarding assignments.
Tour Guide, TA, Van Driver at California Institute of the Arts
April 30, 2024 - July 22, 2025
Assisted faculty with classroom tasks and technology troubleshooting. Guided tours around campus for accepted and prospective students. Drove van to and from events for students and faculty.
Art & Story Apprentice at Bellolandia
December 31, 2018 - July 22, 2025
Collaborated in early development (VisDev and Story) for inhouse projects such as Yorudan District, Delta Willys, Funky Hunters and Dimension Prisma. Assisted production for animated commercial shorts for local businesses.
Art Intern at Detuco
December 31, 2016 - July 22, 2025
Designed props and characters for commercial CG work. Modelled props and assisted CG artists on several animated CG shorts.
Freelance Work - Art and Story at Freelance
January 1, 2015 - Present
Worked for several employers, ranging from Visual Development to Story production for shorts and pitch bibles. Participated on several independent publications and festivals showcasing underrepresented groups in the animation/comic industry such as Vamos Las Pibas Festival.

Education

BFA at California Institute of the Arts
September 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024
Bachillerato at Universidad Nacional de Arte
March 1, 2017 - January 31, 2020

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other