This week, we are pleased to highlight the talented animation students in Sisler High School’s CREATE Program, including Kaya Schulz, who will be attending VFS after she completes the program!
Sisler’s CREATE Program provides high school and post-high students with educational and career pathways to the creative industries in Canada and worldwide. For high school students, this program begins in grade 9 where students gain foundational skills and expand their creative toolsets. As the program progresses, students specialize in a chosen creative field that culminates in post-high by providing portfolio development, studio training, and certification. The three educational pathways students can follow are Graphic Design, Interactive Digital Media, and Motion Picture Arts.
Sisler’s Post-High Program is a free intensive year of training offered to high school graduates in Manitoba. This program focuses on career and post-secondary pathways in 2D and 3D animation, game design, film/VFX, and digital design. Kaya is one of 35 students in this program that had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles mid-May to present original animation projects at Nickelodeon Studios.
Kaya Schulz created the character Atlas for her team's 2D animated short "Am I Home?"These students were grouped into 6 teams, and each developed a project to present in LA. Kaya’s team created a 2D animated short called "Am I Home?" that follows Atlas, an innocent child navigating the foster system. Atlas was designed to look and feel relatable, to represent the many children that have experienced foster care. The other 5 projects presented to Nickelodeon were "Misty Escapade", "Slacks vs. Slacker", "Rock Bottom", "Mouse Trap", and "Secrets of Belmonte."
We love to promote Sisler’s CREATE Program as it’s an incredible initiative to support creativity in young students and provide valuable career-advancing opportunities. VFS has previously partnered with Sisler to offer full-ride scholarships to CREATE students wishing to pursue training in VFS’s School of Animation and School of Games & Creative Design. We enjoy the opportunity to reach a diverse pool of young talent and give them the world-class resources they need to develop their skills in the creative arts.
Nev Michelle (left) and Kaya Schulz won a gold medal in the Skills Manitoba Competition for the 2D Character Computer Animation category.In addition to this project, Kaya also competed in the Skills Manitoba Competition on April 11, 2024, and received a gold medal alongside her teammate Nev Michelle in the 2D Character Computer Animation category. With a given prompt, they had to storyboard and create a complete animation within a specified time frame. Last week, they traveled to Quebec City to participate in the Skills Canada National Competition, where we’re happy to say, they again received the gold medal!
We look forward to seeing the unique projects these students come up with next, and we can’t wait to welcome Kaya on campus!
FAQ
How does Sisler High School's CREATE Program prepare its students for careers in the creative industries, both during high school and post-high school?
Sisler High School's CREATE Program offers a comprehensive educational and career pathway for students interested in the creative industries. Beginning in grade 9, students gain foundational skills and expand their creative toolsets. As they progress through the program, they specialize in a chosen creative field, such as Graphic Design, Interactive Digital Media, or Motion Picture Arts. The program also provides portfolio development, studio training, and certification to prepare students for their future careers. Furthermore, the Post-High Program, available to high school graduates in Manitoba, offers intensive training in 2D and 3D animation, game design, film/VFX, and digital design.
How does Sisler High School's CREATE Program foster collaboration and teamwork among its students, particularly evident in their participation in projects like the one presented at Nickelodeon Studios in LA?
Sisler High School's CREATE Program fosters collaboration and teamwork among its students through various avenues. For instance, in projects like the one presented at Nickelodeon Studios in LA, students are grouped into teams and work together to develop original animation projects. This collaborative approach allows students to leverage each other's strengths, share ideas, and problem-solve collectively, mirroring real-world industry dynamics. By engaging in such collaborative endeavors, students not only enhance their technical skills but also develop crucial soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership.
What role do industry partnerships, such as the one with Nickelodeon Studios, play in providing real-world opportunities for students in Sisler High School's CREATE Program, and how do these experiences contribute to their professional development?
Industry partnerships, such as the collaboration with Nickelodeon Studios, play a pivotal role in providing invaluable real-world opportunities for students in Sisler High School's CREATE Program. By presenting their original animation projects at esteemed venues like Nickelodeon Studios, students gain exposure to industry professionals, receive constructive feedback, and build networks that can potentially open doors to future career opportunities. Additionally, these experiences provide students with firsthand insights into the standards and expectations of the industry, helping them refine their skills and align their aspirations with real-world demands. Overall, industry partnerships enrich the educational journey of students in the CREATE Program, empowering them to transition seamlessly from academic pursuits to professional endeavors in the creative industries.