COURSE DESCRIPTION  

Pixar – Story Matters focuses on the animated 3D films of Pixar Animation Studios, contextualizing this work in spheres of early and contemporary animation (theory and practice), popular culture, and developments in computer technology. It will also explore the creative process of story development, emphasizing the Pixar screenplay with its universal themes, compelling characters, and dramatic conflict. Film analysis of Pixar movies will delve into myth, fairytale, psychology, etc. The goal of the creative project is to take the student’s idea, which features animated characters, through the film development process from concept, to script & storyboard, to a final presentation that could be pitched to a family entertainment company such as Pixar.

INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM 2024

Noah Lucé | Lecturer

Noah Lucé (he/they) is a native of Santa Cruzian. He developed a deep love for theatre thanks to his grandmother’s appreciation for classic cinema. At the tender age of five, Noah’s first experience on stage as The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz ignited a lifelong passion for storytelling. From that moment, he was “hooked” on the transformative power of theatre. They are a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and storyteller. He is a lecturer in Drama in Performance, Play, and Design, at the University of California, Santa Cruz, serves as Associate Director for New Canon Theatre Company, and is an assistant faculty member of Theatrical Intimacy Education.

At UCSC they have taught the following courses in PPD: Psychological Realism (THEA 21), Introductory Studies in Acting (THEA 20), Shakespeare-to-Go (THEA 155), Directed Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl on the Mainstage (THEA 151), Directing Studio (THEA 141), and of course Pixar – Story Matters (THEA-80P). With John R. Lewis College he has also taught Academic Literacy and Ethos: Social Justice (CLTE-1).

Recent career highlights include: His production of Much Ado About Nothing at NCTC was awarded Theatre Production of the Year in Monterey County. Intimacy and fight direction for A Guide for the Homesick at Theatre Rhinoceros (America’s longest running LGBTQIA+ theatre), co-directing and intimacy choreography for NCTC’s Macbeth, associate directing EnActe Arts touring production of The Jungle Book; Rudyard Revised, assistant directing and fight choreography for An Iliad at the Jewel Theatre Company and intimacy directing the world premiere of The Formula; Santa Cruz Shakespeare. As an actor Noah has performed up and down the west coast most recently appearing in NCTC’s world Premier of Finding Chase by C. Wright.He has also appeared internationally in new play by Anuvab Pal, Admission (EnActe & Rage Productions).

Noah trained with Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, attended Cornish College of the Arts (BFA), received his Master’s Degree from the UCSC, and completed his MFA in directing/pedagogy from the University of Idaho. To learn more him and his work, please visit: www.noahluce.com

Katheryn Petak| TA

Kathryn has danced professionally with Smuin Ballets/SF, State Street Ballet, San Francisco Opera Ballet, Santa Barbara Opera and San Jose Dance Theater. She has performed all over the United States, China, Taiwan, and the Caribbean. She has also performed in theater including, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania) and musicals including Chicago (PAP), CATS (Sierra Rep) and West Side Story (Cabrillo, AMT) among others. She holds certifications and currently teaches Pilates and Yoga. She has a B.A. from UC Santa Cruz in Performance, Play, and Design and is currently working on her M.A. at UCSC.

Shivam Shukla | TA

My name is Shivam Shukla. I am currently pursuing a degree in Human-Computer Interaction with a focus on Interaction Design. My academic journey is fueled by my passion for UX research, where I strive to identify user needs and design solutions that cater to those needs. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing guitar and creating abstract art.

Meenal Chavan | TA


I’m Meenal, a graduate student at UC Santa Cruz, focusing on Natural Language Processing. With a deep-rooted passion for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, I’ve dedicated myself to exploring these fields since my undergraduate years. Beyond academics, I indulge in baking, hiking, and enjoying movies. I believe in finding joy in the little things while pursuing my academic interests.

Saul Villegas | TA

Saul Villegas is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher who explores scientific taxonomies, digital art, and new media. His work in the OpenLab Collaborative Research Center and the Venom Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) merges art and science to develop interactive artworks focused on the environment and reimagining archives through storytelling. He has exhibited his mixed media works online, featuring deep-sea coral specimens in an online festival with New Art City’s Memory Card (2023). Last summer, he engaged in a flagship residency program with EmergeNYC (Brooklyn’s Art Exchange) through the E.A.R.T.H. Lab SF, where he developed the character of The Sun.  Saul was born and raised in Avenal, California. He works between Santa Cruz and the Central Valley while completing his MFA degree in Digital Arts and New Media (DANM) at UCSC.

modernobysaulvillegas.com

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

The land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe. The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, comprised of the descendants of indigenous people taken to missions Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista during Spanish colonization of the Central Coast, is today working hard to restore traditional stewardship practices on these lands and heal from historical trauma.

If you would like more information on The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, please visit their new website at: amahmutsunlandtrust.org