Story & Lesson Highlights with Mariya Ellsworth of Alameda

Mariya Ellsworth shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Mariya, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to tell my own stories. After many years of working on other people’s films, I realized I had my own voice and perspective that I was once afraid to share, but now feels important to bring forward.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Masha is a Ukrainian-American filmmaker and Lead Technical Director in the Characters Department at Pixar Animation Studios. She began her career in 2007 as an intern on Ratatouille, working on sets and lighting, before transitioning into character work on films including Up, Toy Story 3, Brave, Cars 2, Inside Out, Finding Dory, Cars 3, The Good Dinosaur, Coco, Incredibles 2, Onward, and Turning Red.

Born and raised in northern Ukraine, Masha later moved to the United States, where she earned a double degree in Computer Science and Visual Art from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In addition to her studio career, she has embraced independent filmmaking, creating award-winning animated shorts that weave together cultural heritage and innovative visual storytelling.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
A few years ago I was hitting a career plateau and looking for a new challenge, only to find myself doubting every idea I came up with, and being worried about failing at everything. I couldn’t shake off that paralyzing feeling, until one day I read a message in a fortune cookie, from a local fast food joint, that said “Silence the critic within.” I’ve heard about this “inner critic” character before; and finally realizing why I felt stuck, I jumped head deep into learning where this “inner critic” came from, why I got it, and lastly, how to “silence” it. At the end of my research journey, it only felt right to share what I have found through film. “Little t” short film became the challenge I was longing for.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, creativity always helped me through. Making art and inventing little worlds for my Barbie dolls gave me comfort and joy, and it was my way of feeling safe and in control.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Bound / «Переплетені» is an animated short that reimagines the missing verse of Ukraine’s most beloved folk song, “Galya Carries Water.” For generations, the haunting melody has carried an unanswered question: what truly happened to Galya and Ivanko, two young lovers often called Ukraine’s “Romeo and Juliet”? Their story, suspended in song yet left unfinished, became the seed for this film. Drawing on the intricate artistry of Ukrainian embroidery, every frame is crafted as if cross-stitched into history, while the music breathes life into a forgotten legend. In creating Bound, I sought not only to uncover the fate of these characters but also to honor the resilience of Ukrainian cultural memory, preserving the beauty and mystery hidden between the lines of our traditions.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m creating, whether it’s sketching ideas for a new film, editing frames late at night, or listening to traditional Ukrainian music as I work. Those quiet, focused moments of making something from the heart feel like home to me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Lisa Winner photography for two head shot images

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