Hosted by Angela Lepito, Artist Manager at DreamWorks Animation
Step into this conversation series with industry veteran Angela Lepito and her many insider production friends as they share the reality that only time and experience can teach. Angela reflects on decades of production experience creative leadership, pulling back the curtain on the lessons that aren’t in any curriculum—but are essential to thriving as a professional in this industry.
From the realities of production life to the art of building lasting relationships, Angela offers guidance rooted in real-world experience—what it truly means to grow, to adapt, and to stay inspired in a constantly changing industry.
This is not just a talk—it’s a chance to stand on the shoulders of experience and see a little farther down your own career path.
Meet Your Host Angela Lepito, Artist Manager at DreamWorks Animation
Angela Lepito has worked in the animation and film industry for over 30 years. For the last 20 years she has been with DreamWorks Animation holding overhead, production, recruiting and education roles. In her current position as Department Manager, she oversees the Story and Art Departments under the Artistic Resource Management Group.
Previously she worked as the Director of Artistic Development for 7 years overseeing the Art Dev program, Videography and Research. For 2 years she was a University Recruiter for the Outreach program where she worked with partner universities in identifying talent and developing programming for students. And she worked on projects such as Bee Movie and How to Train Your Dragon using her front end production expertise.
Prior to DreamWorks she was the Director of Communications at Gentle Giant Studios where she managed the Digital Department handling both visual effects and toy prototyping projects in-house and on location. Notable projects included: Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Star Wars Episode III.
Angela began her animation career at Walt Disney Feature Animation on the film Hercules as the Recording Assistant. She was the Story Department APM and studio film liaison for Treasure Planet working with many divisions supporting the release of the film.
For the past four years she has been working as an adjunct professor at Otis College of Art and Design. She teaches a Business Seminar class for artists.
Angela is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston. She currently lives in Burbank, CA with her husband Paul Hungerford, their two daughters and one large dog.
Special Guest Daria Khil, Story Artist at DreamWorks Animation
Daria Khil is a Story Artist at DreamWorks Animation, currently storyboarding on the upcoming feature, Forgotten Island. Over the past 12 years, she has explored illustration, concept art for games, and directing commercials, building a versatile creative foundation.
After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design with a Master of Arts, she joined DreamWorks as the studio’s Story Intern on the feature film, Dog Man, quickly transitioning to a Story Trainee role on the production. She completed the studio’s Trainee Program and worked on several feature productions.
In addition, she has created social media pieces with DreamWorks’ IP, such as Dog Man and the Penguins of Madagascar. Beyond the studio, Daria mentors young artists via Women in Animation and collaborates on creative projects with friends.
