When audiences head to theaters for Toy Story 5 on June 19, they’ll see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and a new generation of toys navigating a world increasingly shaped by technology . Helping bring those characters to life is Donald Brooks, a Philadelphia and New Castle, DE native whose own journey to Pixar reflects the power of creativity, persistence, and continuous learning. Brooks joined Pixar as an intern in 2021 after earning a BFA in Animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Today, he’s an animator on Toy Story 5 , contributing to one of the most anticipated animated films of the year. “My contribution to Toy Story 5 was as an animator,” Brooks told AFROTECH™ Culture. “I animated characters such as Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and Lilypad. I shape their performances and how they express on screen.” While the film explores the growing role technology plays in everyday life, Brooks says the heart of animation—and storytelling itself—will always belong to people....
