Pixar Cinematographer Danielle Feinberg to deliver Feb. 11 Convocation
In her presentation, “The Magic Ingredient That Brings Movies to Life,” she will discuss her work at Pixar and how she fell in love with animating films.
Danielle Feinberg, a cinematographer and director of photography for lighting at Pixar Animation Studios, will deliver Carleton College’s convocation address on Friday, Feb. 11 from 10:50-11:50 a.m. in Skinner Chapel. In her presentation, “The Magic Ingredient That Brings Movies to Life,” she will discuss her work at Pixar and how she fell in love with animating films.
Feinberg’s first position was on the 1998 film “A Bug’s Life”as a render wrangler, an entry-level, problem-solving position. Soon, she was leading the otherwise all-male department, most of whom were older than her. Feinberg got her first taste of lighting during this time and fell in love with creating the final lighting for films. She went on to light “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo,” “WALL-E,” and “Brave”–which stars Pixar’s first female protagonist–working her way up the ranks. Now a supervising technical director, she is the first woman in 20 years to hold that position.
As an 8-year-old, Feinberg first programmed a Lego turtle to create images. Now, in addition to her Pixar work, she mentors teenage girls, encouraging them to pursue math, science and coding through groups like Girls Who Code. Ultimately, she hopes to demonstrate to them the magic found in using technology to make art.
Feinberg received her B.A. in computer science from Harvard University.
Carleton convocations are free and open to the public. Masks are required, and visitors are expected to be fully vaccinated and boosted (if eligible) or to have received a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 24 hours before attending an event. Find upcoming events and archived recordings on the Convocations website. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-5461.