Pablo Diaz de Leon Hicks is a passionate animation student from Mexico, currently pursuing an MFA in Animation at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. With two years of professional industry experience in Animation and VFX, Pablo has worked as an Animator, Previs, and Postvis Artist at Proof Inc., contributing to Disney's TRON: Ares and Stranger Things 5. He also completed a 3D Animation for Visual Effects Apprenticeship at Technicolor Creative Studios Academy and served as a 3D Animator and Production Assistant at Mighty Animation, in addition to taking on multiple freelance projects.
As a director, Pablo has led various projects, including Juntos en la Distancia (2020 Cartoon Network TV Spot), A Battle’s Toll (2021), MIGO (2021), The Blue Stag (2023), Rooster & Terry (2023), and The Blue Stag - VR Experience (2024).
Pablo earned his BFA in Animation & Digital Art from Monterrey’s Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) and is now pursuing his MFA at USC (Aug 2022 - May 2025). He is the recipient of prestigious awards such as the Jenkins-Del Toro Award (a collaboration between Guillermo Del Toro, FICG, and the Jenkins Foundation), the AFPE 2022 Scholarship from CONACYT-SACPC-FINBA, as well as USC SCA’s Gene Autry, Pierre–Mary Cossett, and John Huston Directing Scholarships. Pablo is also a USC Annenberg and Shriram Fellow.
Driven by a deep passion for storytelling, Pablo aspires to create animated films that resonate with universal human experiences. His goal is to inspire audiences through meaningful narratives that entertain, connect, and leave a lasting impact, leveraging animation as a powerful force for positive change.
Website: linktr.ee/pdlh1998
CG Artist Reel: https://vimeo.com/383711829
Previs/Layout & CG Animation Reel: https://vimeo.com/504143106
What interests you most about your specific division or program at SCA?
What I love most about the John C. Hench Division of Animation + Digital Arts is how immersive and inspiring the experience is. The faculty, many of whom have worked on some of my favorite films growing up, bring a wealth of knowledge and achievements from the industry. Learning directly from their cumulative experience and hearing their insights has been incredible. Their impact on animation is undeniable, and it’s inspiring to be able to learn from them in such a hands-on, creative environment.
On top of that, being at SCA means working alongside students and faculty from all areas of the entertainment industry, creating a collaborative and dynamic space that constantly pushes you to grow. There’s no shortage of exciting events, amazing guest speakers, and opportunities to connect with the broader animation and entertainment community here in LA, right at the heart of Hollywood. The dedication and artistry of everyone—faculty, peers, and guests alike—are so motivating. I’m truly grateful to be part of this program, and every day feels like an opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow as an artist and storyteller.
Why did you choose SCA?
Choosing USC’s School of Cinematic Arts had always been a dream of mine. From the moment I decided on a career in animation and storytelling, I looked into the paths of filmmakers I admire—such as George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, and Ron Howard—and saw a common thread: SCA. Its legacy of shaping visionary creators and its unmatched position in the heart of Hollywood made it the ideal place to pursue my dreams.
What set SCA apart for me was also its combination of unparalleled faculty and a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. Learning from industry professionals who’ve influenced the films and shows that inspired me growing up is an incredible privilege, but so is working alongside peers from all areas of entertainment. It’s a place that fosters creativity, talent, and growth. For someone whose life was shaped by the power of stories, SCA offered the perfect opportunity to develop my voice and create meaningful work. And it really has been more than I even expected.
What has been your biggest challenge at SCA so far?
One of the most exciting challenges at SCA has been navigating the abundance of opportunities available. There’s always something incredible happening—projects to join, events to attend, and chances to collaborate—and prioritizing among them has been an interesting dynamic. With so much to explore, time seems to move faster than I ever imagined, so I’ve worked hard to ensure I’m focusing on the opportunities that align most with my goals and will hopefully help me grow as an artist and storyteller.
Balancing school, personal projects, and work has also been a fun and rewarding challenge. It’s pushed me to level up how I manage my time and juggle responsibilities, which I know will serve me well in my career. Each decision, project, and task has been an opportunity to grow, and I feel incredibly grateful for everything I’ve learned. It’s been very rewarding, and I’m thankful that this experience has prepared me to take on even greater challenges in the future.
What has been your biggest success?
One of the things I’m most grateful for is the sheer number of opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of at SCA. Whether it’s earning my first feature film credit as a Previs Artist on Tron: Ares or contributing to a show like Stranger Things 5, I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of such exciting projects. But beyond the work itself, I’ve had experiences that still feel almost unreal—like visiting iconic studios such as Walt Disney Animation, Warner Bros., and Sony Animation, among many others, and getting to meet directors and artists I’ve admired for years, including Guillermo Del Toro, Chris Sanders, and Jorge Gutierrez, to name a few.
What’s truly humbling is that many of these amazing people are now sharing their knowledge with me. Having the chance to ask them questions and learn directly from them has been such a privilege, especially as I work on creating my own films here at SCA. The growth I’ve experienced as both an artist and a storyteller has been more rewarding than I could have imagined, and I’m so thankful for it all. If my younger self could see the things I’ve gotten to do, he’d be as excited as I am now—because everything here reminds me why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. It’s been a joy to embrace that childlike sense of wonder while learning, creating, and growing every day.
Is there a project you are working (or have completed) that you’re especially proud of?
I’m super happy to have worked on so many incredible projects during my time at USC so far. The chance to earn my first feature film credit on Tron: Ares and contribute to Stranger Things 5 still feels unbelievable, and I’m so grateful and happy for it. I’m also extremely proud of the personal films I’ve gotten to create in the program.
My first film, The Blue Stag (https://vimeo.com/826127382/0aa278c3f5), is really special to me. I wanted to make something close to home, so I based it on one of my favorite cultures in Mexico, the Wixárikas, who have such beautiful art, history, and traditions. Then, in my fourth semester, I transformed the film into a VR experience, telling the same story in a completely new and immersive way, which was such an exciting challenge.
My second film, Rooster & Terry (https://vimeo.com/893918187/ae63d68e77), is a comedic short about two roosters—one trying to out-crow the farm’s laid-back newcomer in his relentless quest to be the first to “cock-a-doodle-doo” at sunrise. It was so much fun to make and a great opportunity to explore storytelling with a lighter tone.
Right now, I’m working on my thesis, which tells the story of a little book’s self-discovery journey as he tries to find the section where it belongs. It’s been such a rewarding process, and I can’t wait to see it all come together.
Additionally, I’ve gotten to create some amazing Visual Music and Motion Graphics pieces thanks to Mike Patterson’s Visual Music class, which has been one of the most fun and inspiring classes I’ve ever taken. Overall, I’m just beyond happy with everything I’ve been able to do here so far, and I feel so grateful for the chance to bring these stories to life (https://pdlh1998.artstation.com/).
How has SCA prepared you so far for the career you want?
SCA has been instrumental in helping me understand the many layers of the entertainment industry, from the creative front end to the technical and logistical back end of productions. I’ve gained a much clearer picture of how the industry operates—not just in terms of crafting stories, but also in navigating the relationships between artists, producers, and the business side of filmmaking. It’s been an invaluable experience learning how to maneuver the various social and professional terrains that exist within the industry. This understanding has painted a clearer path forward, one I’m confident will be pivotal in achieving my goals and dreams.
Beyond the technical skills, SCA has taught me the foundational elements of great storytelling: how to take advantage of the medium, how to maximize the strengths of the people around me, and how to embrace the process with creativity and joy. These lessons have not only shaped me as an artist but also given me the tools to be a more thoughtful collaborator and leader.
On a professional level, I’ve gained important cues on how to navigate the industry as I move forward in my career—whether it’s initiating conversations, managing meetings, or building relationships with peers and superiors. I’ve learned to prepare strategically for the next steps, recognizing that this is an industry where daring, talented, and prepared individuals can thrive.
SCA has given me the foundation and clarity to pursue my career in animation, with the ultimate goal of becoming a director. The knowledge, skills, and confidence I’ve gained here are helping me not only to grow as an artist but to build toward that dream of leading animated films that inspire and connect with audiences. I’m deeply grateful for these lessons and excited to continue building on them as I work toward that goal.
What advice do you have for prospective students looking to apply to SCA?
One of the coolest challenges at SCA is figuring out how to prioritize everything. There’s so much to take advantage of—projects, guest speakers, events—and every day brings a new opportunity that could help shape your path. It’s exciting, but it also means staying focused on what aligns with your goals while leaving room to explore and grow.
My advice is to remember that this is an industry built on passion and fun. Be ready to work hard, because if you want to succeed in something as amazing as entertainment, you have to give it your all. The people here are some of the most hardworking and dedicated I’ve ever met, but we’re all working on projects that are fun, meaningful, and bring joy to others. That’s what