One of the best features of being a creative artist is the flexibility we have in our endeavours. Our core skillsets are transferable between many creative fields, providing us with the opportunity to pivot as the industry or our interests change. At just 18 years old, Esabella Strickland is already a prime example. A successful Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Producer, and published Author, Esabella has now set her sights on a career in animation, and Vancouver Film School is so pleased to welcome her to our Classical Animation program!
A Vancouver local, Esabella describes herself as “your typical Gen Z Neurodivergent polymath, redefining what it means to be a modern-day Renaissance girl.” An empathetic advocate for neurodiversity and bullying through the arts, she brings a truly unique perspective to her art.
Esabella’s astounding portfolio work (sample above) made her a perfect candidate for VFS’s Classical Animation program.Esabella has wasted no time building up her resume. On-camera, she’s starred in local indie shorts including Enlightenment, Things You Take, Arthur’s Gift, and My Red Ball and the Notebook, the latter of which she also co-wrote/directed through the Young Moviemakers Program, an initiative for youth to acquire essential filmmaking skills and gain experience with professional equipment to bring their stories to life. My Red Ball and the Notebook has also screened at 72+ international film festivals, winning 12 of them.
In 2021, Esabella published her first novel. Co-written by her father, Then and There, Here and Where features a neurodivergent heroine who is drawn into a classic battle between good and evil. Vancouver Sun deemed the book “a triumph… a remarkable achievement” and called Esabella a “force of nature.” The novel went on to appear at #1 on Amazon’s ‘Hot New Releases’ list.
Most recently (hot off the presses, in fact!), Esabella’s horror feature film screenplay Death Noise is set to be officially announced at TIFF this September, having been picked up by Film Volt Group and headed into pre-production soon! Film Volt Group also recently announced that they’re adapting Then and There, Here and Where into an animated TV series.
Though Esabella has experienced much success, it hasn’t always been easy. As a neurodivergent artist, she’s encountered her fair share of obstacles including ADHD, dyslexia, and social anxiety. However, she’s turned these obstacles into her ‘superpowers’ – memorization and a high level of empathy and mindfulness towards others.
“My creative process is something I know many creative people can relate to” comments Esabella on finding her voice. “I either have an idea or I don’t, and when I have an idea it can come to me at the most inconvenient time… I have always been an individual to turn my math textbook into a new drawing book. Yet this wasn't something that was okay for me to do, so instead of drawing my heart out… I turned off my creativity and sat in silence.”
“After changing elementary schools to one where I would be supported in a more effective way, I began to flourish in my ability to create, using different forms of expression as my outlet… My favourite way to decompress was watching cartoons at night. I was inspired by what I saw and would often think about the shows I would watch when I was younger, thinking about how much joy I had in those moments. I knew I wanted to be someone to supply that joy to others.”
“I knew I wanted to supply that joy to others.” – Esabella comments on finding purpose in her art as a young adult.When asked about advice she would give to aspiring creatives, especially those with diverse backgrounds, Esabella explained: “In my experiences so far – whether in writing, directing, acting, drawing, editing, or other creative pursuits – one message has come through loud and clear: the people you surround yourself with can either make or break your dreams, but ultimately, you are the one who decides what you want to create. How you treat and guide yourself is incredibly important when you're working hard to achieve your dreams. Nothing is completely impossible as long as you respect yourself and surround yourself with people who support your goals.”
On August 26, 2024, Esabella began her journey at VFS as a Classical Animation student. Alongside her cohort, she’ll learn the ins and outs of traditional 2D animation, from character design to composition, life drawing, background design, storyboarding and so much more. In just one year, she and her classmates will have acquired an essential skillset for conquering the animation industry in Vancouver and abroad.
Colin Giles, VFS’s Head of Animation, commented: "We're very happy to welcome Esabella to our School for Animation & Visual Effects. Our philosophy and curriculum design supports students in finding their artistic voice. Esabella arrives with a confident and expressive voice, having found many avenues to share her work already. We're excited to see Esabella grow further this year, along with her classmates and the VFS community, to amplify and extend the reach of her artistic passions."
Esabella herself expressed the same level of enthusiasm: “I'm thrilled to be joining the VFS community! The idea of being surrounded by people who share my passion is incredibly exciting. This new environment is the first step towards fulfilling a dream I've had since childhood. At VFS, I’m eager to immerse myself in a creative atmosphere where I can learn, grow, and collaborate with others who are as dedicated to this craft as I am. I believe this experience will not only shape my skills but also open doors to opportunities that will help me make a meaningful impact in the industry.”
At VFS, we’re thrilled too! All of us here are truly inspired by Esabella’s thoughtfulness, determination, and talent. Still in the early days of what will surely be a long career, she’s already accomplished so much and has proven that through hard work and resilience, the possibilities for an artist are endless. Welcome to VFS, Esabella; we can’t wait to see what you’ll create here on-campus and in the future.