Her Story
About Manuela
Manuela García Gonzalez is a video editor and motion designer with more than five years of experience in film, video production, animation, and sound design. She began her professional journey in Colombia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television, and Digital Communication from Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano. Her early experience allowed her to develop skills across production and post-production, including video editing, animation, and sound.
Manuela later moved to the United States and earned a Master of Arts in 3D Animation from DePaul University. Her career has included freelance video editing, VFX supervision, production, and post-production, where she managed creative projects from concept through final delivery. She has also worked on sound and Foley for film projects and created 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, and visual effects.
More recently, Manuela has expanded her career into artificial intelligence, working as an AI trainer specializing in video editing and prompt engineering. She has trained and evaluated AI models, curated content, and applied her filmmaking and animation background to improve AI-generated creative outputs. Her diverse expertise includes video editing, motion design, 3D animation, VFX, sound design, and AI training, reflecting her ability to combine creative and technical skills in an evolving digital industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Manuela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being willing to say yes, staying open to people and opportunities, and continuously developing my soft skills. Being receptive to new experiences has allowed opportunities to come my way, while improving my communication and relationship-building skills has helped me grow professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to avoid overthinking and take action. I believe in preparing as much as possible, then taking the leap rather than getting caught up in every detail. Being prepared and willing to act is often more valuable than waiting for everything to be perfect.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to prepare themselves as much as possible, but not let overthinking or perfectionism hold them back. Sometimes, you simply have to take the leap, trust your preparation, and go for it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is finding a clear area of focus while adapting to the growing influence of AI. I’m working toward specializing in one or two areas rather than being a jack-of-all-trades. At the same time, copyright and ownership concerns highlight the importance of ensuring artists are properly recognized, protected, and included within organizations.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication, empathy, and compassion are the values that matter most to me. Throughout my career, I’ve learned how to translate complex ideas into meaningful, relatable experiences while also becoming a more empathetic leader. I’ve learned that understanding and supporting people is just as important as driving results.
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