Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Hey Rise Up Fam! We're honored to be working with @asianqueensanimation to bring you the "Asian Queen Leading in Animation" series last May celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Join us as we talk to Directing Queens, Suzi Yoonessi and Josie Trinidad from Disney Animation about how they got their start, the experiences they’ve had, their growth as storytellers, and what it means to be an Asian American Director.
Josie Trinidad joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2004 as a story apprentice and once she completed training was hired as a story artist. Her Disney credits include Zootopia as co-head of story, Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled, The Princess and the Frog, and shorts How to Hook Up Your Home Theater and The Ballad of Nessie. As Head of Story on Ralph Breaks the Internet, Josie oversaw the story team, which was responsible for translating the film’s script into its first visual form. She is currently directing Zootopia+ with Trent Correy, a short-form series set to debut on Disney+ in Spring 2022. Josie is also developing an animated feature for theatrical release.
Suzi Yoonessi is an Iranian-American filmmaker who wrote and directed the award-winning feature film Dear Lemon Lima, and directed the Duplass Brothers film Unlovable, which won a jury prize at the SXSW Film Festival. In addition to being an Emmy-nominated episodic and branded content director, Yoonessi directed the Scooby-Doo origins film, Daphne and Velma, for Warner Brothers. Yoonessi joined Disney Animation in 2019 and is in development on an animated feature.
Speakers:
Suzi Yoonessi | Walt Disney Animation Studios
Josie Trinidad | Walt Disney Animation Studios
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:03 Growing up and wanting a creative career
00:17:49 Being the only Woman or WOC in the room
00:22:55 Finding your voice
00:29:57 How has diversity and inclusion changed in the industry?
00:35:13 Advice for aspiring WOC directors
00:39:29 How did you get the opportunity to direct?
00:47:17 Qualities of a great director
00:57:40 Imposter syndrome
01:06:59 Pitching
01:12:14 Working outside the US
01:20:36 Outro
Rise Up Animation Founders:
Bobby Pontillas
Frank Abney
Trent Correy
Monica Lago-Kaytis
Are you ready to Rise Up together? Join the movement by checking out our upcoming panels and visiting our social media!
Website: riseupanimation.org
Instagram: instagram.com/riseupanimation
Facebook: facebook.com/Rise-Up-Animation-111394517713539
Twitter: mobile.twitter.com/riseupanimation
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rise-up-animation
Inspire. Educate. Create. #RiseUpAnimation #directors #animation #disney
Hey Rise Up Fam! We're honored to be working with @asianqueensanimation to bring you the "Asian Queen Leading in Animation" series last May celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Join us as we talk to Directing Queens, Suzi Yoonessi and Josie Trinidad from Disney Animation about how they got their start, the experiences they’ve had, their growth as storytellers, and what it means to be an Asian American Director.
Josie Trinidad joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2004 as a story apprentice and once she completed training was hired as a story artist. Her Disney credits include Zootopia as co-head of story, Wreck-It Ralph, Tangled, The Princess and the Frog, and shorts How to Hook Up Your Home Theater and The Ballad of Nessie. As Head of Story on Ralph Breaks the Internet, Josie oversaw the story team, which was responsible for translating the film’s script into its first visual form. She is currently directing Zootopia+ with Trent Correy, a short-form series set to debut on Disney+ in Spring 2022. Josie is also developing an animated feature for theatrical release.
Suzi Yoonessi is an Iranian-American filmmaker who wrote and directed the award-winning feature film Dear Lemon Lima, and directed the Duplass Brothers film Unlovable, which won a jury prize at the SXSW Film Festival. In addition to being an Emmy-nominated episodic and branded content director, Yoonessi directed the Scooby-Doo origins film, Daphne and Velma, for Warner Brothers. Yoonessi joined Disney Animation in 2019 and is in development on an animated feature.
Speakers:
Suzi Yoonessi | Walt Disney Animation Studios
Josie Trinidad | Walt Disney Animation Studios
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:03 Growing up and wanting a creative career
00:17:49 Being the only Woman or WOC in the room
00:22:55 Finding your voice
00:29:57 How has diversity and inclusion changed in the industry?
00:35:13 Advice for aspiring WOC directors
00:39:29 How did you get the opportunity to direct?
00:47:17 Qualities of a great director
00:57:40 Imposter syndrome
01:06:59 Pitching
01:12:14 Working outside the US
01:20:36 Outro
Rise Up Animation Founders:
Bobby Pontillas
Frank Abney
Trent Correy
Monica Lago-Kaytis
Are you ready to Rise Up together? Join the movement by checking out our upcoming panels and visiting our social media!
Website: riseupanimation.org
Instagram: instagram.com/riseupanimation
Facebook: facebook.com/Rise-Up-Animation-111394517713539
Twitter: mobile.twitter.com/riseupanimation
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rise-up-animation
Inspire. Educate. Create. #RiseUpAnimation #directors #animation #disney
