Conversations with Natalie Lawson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Lawson.

Hi Natalie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
College felt like an opportunity to pursue my pure curiosity. I started out as a hybrid engineering-business major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which stemmed from my highschool interests. I discovered reverse engineering on CAD solid works to be so satisfying and fun! But as I reflected on my life, and projected a career in engineering felt like it missed something. I’m an eldest daughter in a family where 2 out of the 5 members are adopted. My position made me learn a lot about empathy, human relationships, and the multiple different angles from which people need love to be a full person. I also went through a kidney stone surgery around 12 years old, had some minor sports injuries growing up, and also lifeguarded. So a little voice, turned into a large voice, that told me to pursue a career in healthcare, and finish college in my hometown (San Fernando Valley) to spend some final years with younger siblings. Sophomore year was full of researching and assessing healthcare career pathways. After working in a physical therapy clinic and obtaining an EMT license, I felt capable of pursuing medical school. But like I said earlier, college felt like an opportunity for curiosity, and I couldn’t ignore it. I officially sturdied Art (animation) along with premed, so as to continue cultivating creativity. I started Pluto Productions with a short animated film in highschool, that is the platform where Voyage LA found me on! Balancing both premed studies and art labs was more challenging than I expected to be quite honest, however I viewed it as a time management test. And throughout I uploaded work to Pluto Productions. I am currently in my first block of my first year of medical school, at Duquesne University College of Medicine in Pittsburgh, after graduating CSUN with my Art degree in December 2026, and I couldn’t be more empowered by achieving my dreams on the timeline and in the way that I wanted to. Pluto Productions grows with me as a person. I think my recent work has been very academic, traditional and assignment driven. However I can’t wait for the ammount of personal growth and insight that I will get in this next chapter of life to exude in my next creation! A long term goal would be to work on impactful films I care about.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Struggles have included premed itself being hard to access support and opportunities in the San Fernando Valley. I don’t feel the Valley is a hotspot for cutting edge education, which is why I’m grateful to be in Pittsburgh for medical school. The hardest struggle was relocating every year, but it’s made me accustomed to change and showed me how dedicated I am to my goals. It’s also helped me understand what stability is to me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Pluto Productions is for videos I produce whether animated or not. Personally I love photography and drawing but I think it’s most impactful when you share a story, specifically optimistic and inspiring ones, in video format. My most recent film was the Art of Ignition. My most successful on YouTube seems to be a King Julien storyboard I made for class. The films I feel most represented by as an artist is the Lonely Dancers music video I made with Tatiana Coleman and Chasing Mist which I made a few years back. I am most proud of my animated film the Same Sun because I highlight the global water crisis. My video professor noticed that I have an optimistic theme running throughout whatever I make and I think that’s what would separate me from others. Pluto productions can be found on YouTube or Instagram (@pluto.dx).

How do you think about luck?
Good luck has led me to caring mentors like my general chemistry professor who loved that I was an art major and encouraged me in every pursuit.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluto.dx
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@plutodx

Image Credits
Tatiana Coleman