BP Staff Feature: Rachel Kopito
“It’s important to treat my students as people and artists first.”
Self portrait by Rachel Kopito
“I never thought of myself as a teacher” Rachel shares during her interview.
As an advocate for the Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA), where Rachel has educated the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) about how to work with people with Autism, a long-time collaborative artist with Performing Arts Studio West (PASW) on the “Mother Goose Reimagined” book project, and, most recently, a Production Instructor at Brainstorm Productions Studio, Rachel chuckles and admits, “I guess I do teach.”
Rachel’s background includes parents who were and still are advocates for those who have a disability. Her father is Board President of the Autism Society of Los Angeles, and her mother is a Resource Specialist. Rachel shared that her brother is severely impacted by Autism, and she, too, was diagnosed in primary school with mild Autism. During her high school years and through her brother’s involvement with Performing Arts Studio West (PASW), a professional training and management non-profit organization for performers with disabilities, Rachel’s artistic talent was admired, and she was invited to join the “Mother Goose Reimagined” artistic team, who was fantasizing of a book about traditional Mother Goose nursery rhyme images turned darker and macabre.
Rachel Kopito teaching art classes at Performing Arts Studio West
Rachel explains, “It’s been almost ten years in the making,” referring to the reimagination process of the Mother Goose stories. In that time, Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in Animation from Loyola Marymount University and began working with Brainstorm Productions.
Illustration by Rachel Kopito for “Mother Goose Reimagined”
The Mother Goose project gathered PASW actors, performers, and models to create poses to explore different re-imagined ideas so the digital artists could create the inspired illustrations. Rachel’s role was to meticulously hand illustrate the original nursery rhyme images. She loved collaborating with the team toward the shared vision: to provide a medium by which artists can explore the fantastical scenes and share their artistry. The goal is to celebrate diversity through the power of imagination and representation.
With a rich talent for art and animation, combined with her impressive education and applied knowledge, Rachel brings many gifts and passions to the Brainstorm Productions studio. The “Mother Goose Reanimated” book project that Rachel contributed to is a prime example of her artistic commitment and collaborative talents.
Illustration by Rachel Kopito for “Mother Goose Reimagined”
As the Production Instructor at Brainstorm Productions, Rachel not only teaches the real-world application of animation in the studio, but she also contributes to creating a cooperative atmosphere and positive community. “It’s important to treat my students as people and artists first,” Rachel emphasizes as she shares that each one is incredibly talented with unique skills and interests. She values the Brainstorm Productions program as a safe environment where everyone can learn from their community and work alongside other artists. Brainstorm Productions is certainly fortunate to have her on staff guiding her studio clients with enthusiasm and skill.
“Mother Goose Reimagined” can be purchased on Amazon for $39.85.