Josie Trinidad. Courtesy photo.
CAMARILLO — An Oxnard native who went on to become the first female Head of Story for Walt Disney Animation Studios on the film “Zootopia” will speak at CSU Channel Islands (CI) on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
Josie Trinidad is currently Head of Story for the sequel to the 2012 movie “Wreck-It Ralph,” set to premiere in March of 2018. She has also worked on several Disney animated movies such as “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled,” and “Wreck-It Ralph.”
The public is invited to hear Josie Trinidad speak from 12 to 2 p.m. at CI’s Grand Salon about her personal and professional journey from Oxnard to Walt Disney Animation Studios. Organizers stress that members of the general public who wish to attend should RSVP as soon as possible.
Trinidad will speak from 12 to 1 p.m., followed by a question and answer session from 1 to 1:30 p.m., and 1:30 to 2 p.m. is reserved for a “meet and greet” with Trinidad.
The presentation is sponsored by CI’s Intercultural Services, which is dedicated to inviting those with diverse perspectives to speak at the CI campus.
“We want to continue to make role models within Ventura County visible to our CI community,” said Coordinator of Intercultural Services Motoko Kitazumi. “She is a woman from Ventura County and Filipino-American, and a majority of our students can relate to her on multiple levels.”
Kitazumi said students and organizers also loved the movie “Zootopia,” which will be shown in front of El Dorado Hall at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.
“We really liked the movie,” Kitazumi said. “When the students saw the movie they said ‘that is not just a children’s movie. It carries an adult message.”
“Zootopia” uses animal characters to make a social commentary on bias and discrimination as two natural enemies, a fox and a rabbit, overcame their differences and became best friends. As the daughter of first generation immigrants from the Philippines, Trinidad was immediately drawn to the story.
“It was a perfect allegory to comment on bias, stereotyping and discrimination in today’s world,” Trinidad said. “As a Filipino-American and a woman, I understand firsthand bias, prejudice and discrimination and definitely empathize with those who experience bias and discrimination on a deeper, more systemic level.”
Serving as Head of Story for “Zootopia” alongside Jim Reardon, Trinidad managed a team of story artists working together to get the director’s vision onto the screen.
Trinidad joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2004 as a story apprentice after earning a degree in English Literature from UCLA and then attending California Institute of the Arts.
Trinidad said she is very grateful for the support she got from her parents, who both worked at Camarillo State Hospital, formerly located on the CI property.
Trinidad hopes to inspire all guests at the Oct. 19 event, but especially first generation college students.
“It may sound trite but to first generation college students who are attending a university at the location where my parents used to work, I would encourage you to work incredibly hard and pursue what you love,” Trinidad said. “Pursue your dreams and in turn you will get what you need maybe in ways you don’t expect.”
RSVP by Oct. 14 at: tinyurl.com/ZootopiaF16.
About California State University Channel Islands: CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.?