A celebration of the talent and legacy of animation.
They say great storytelling can come from anywhere and Sisler High School’s CREATE Department is a perfect example of what a little bit of motivation and a lot of hard work, can accomplish.
Sisler’s CREATE program is an entertainment arts training program located at Sisler High School in Winnipeg, Canada. The program provides high school and post-high students with educational and career pathways to the creative industries.
In this conversation, industry veterans Brenda Gilbert and Arnon Manor speak with animation instructor Jamie Leduc as well as program participants Kimberly Chau and Faeryn Rempel, about the program and what it has meant for them and their future careers and how creating meaningful art can start anywhere.
Cover Image: Generated using Magic Studio™.
SPEAKERS
Arnon Manor
Filmmaker // Independent, Sony Pictures Entertainment
(Quarter, Harold and the Purple Crayon, No Hard Feelings, Equalizer 3)
Arnon Manor is a filmmaker and Senior Vice President of Visual Effects at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Throughout his career, Arnon has collaborated with the industry’s most talented filmmakers on over 60 features in various capacities: as a VFX artist, VFX supervisor, VFX producer, and for the past 12 years as a studio executive.
He currently chairs the Education Committee of the Visual Effects Society, with the purpose of creating opportunities and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in VFX through education, as well engaging in other education-based industry initiatives. In 2020 he directed and produced the Black Lives Matter-themed, Peabody Award-winning Netflix animated short, Cops and Robbers, and he is currently completing his feature directorial debut.
Arnon is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, the Academy of Television, the Producers Guild of America, and the Visual Effects Society.
Faeryn Rempel
Artist // CREATE Department Head, Sisler High School
Faeryn Rempel is currently studying at Sisler CREATE’s Post High 2D Animation cohort. She was chosen to create an animated short film with a hardworking and passionate group of fellow artists under Arnon Manor’s mentorship.
Having always found beauty in everything she sees, she does her best to reflect that in her artwork. She's passionate about creating landscapes and playing with colours. Her biggest goal in life has always been to inspire others while my long-term goal is to work on background art, she can’t wait to see where her animation journey takes her!
Jamie Leduc
Animation Instructor // CREATE Department Head, Sisler High School
Jamie Leduc currently teaches animation at Sisler High School and is the Department Head of the CREATE program.
Jamie has over 20 years of experience in developing curriculum and teaching animation, film and game design in public education systems. He has enhanced student education by coordinating industry mentorships, internships, and scholarships. As a result, Leduc has inspired hundreds of students to pursue their dream careers in the game, film and animation industries.
Kimberly Chau
Artist // CREATE Department Head, Sisler High School
Kimberly Chau is an aspiring digital artist and animator. She will soon attend Vancouver Film School, but Sisler CREATE is where her passion for animation began. Kimberly developed her skills through competitions like Skills Canada, the 24 Hours Animation Contest and opportunities like the Orange Tree Project, a mentorship program with Nickelodeon.
She is currently working on Quarter as an animator. What Kimberly loves most about these opportunities is learning so much while creating entertaining stories with inspiring artists. She looks forward to experiencing more fun things in animation.
MODERATOR
Brenda Gilbert
Co-Founder // BRON Media Corp.
Brenda Gilbert, has co-founded BRON Media Corp., and has led the renowned studio with husband Aaron L. Gilbert. BRON Media Corp. has been a prolific award-winning studio behind numerous high-profile films. As part of 125+ productions and part of 38 Academy Awards nominations (6 wins), BRON’s impact has been undeniable.
Brenda serves on BRON’s Board, and also holds roles as Vice-Chair of BANFF World Media Festival, Vice-Chair of Film Independent’s Board, and was a track chair for Woman in Animation’s mentoring initiatives. Brenda mentors for various programs including Women of Color Unite, Consulate General of Canada’s Global Program, and the Academy Gold Rising Program. She advises Vancouver Film School and LaSalle College.
An Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences member, Brenda earned Variety’s 500 list honours twice, plus the honour of Variety’s Women Who Have Made a Global Impact and the Trailblazer of Excellence Award at the Oscar Micheaux Film Festival in 2022. She also received the Golden Orange Award at Miami Media and Film Market for her industry contributions and support.
A celebration of the talent and legacy of animation.
They say great storytelling can come from anywhere and Sisler High School’s CREATE Department is a perfect example of what a little bit of motivation and a lot of hard work, can accomplish.
Sisler’s CREATE program is an entertainment arts training program located at Sisler High School in Winnipeg, Canada. The program provides high school and post-high students with educational and career pathways to the creative industries.
In this conversation, industry veterans Brenda Gilbert and Arnon Manor speak with animation instructor Jamie Leduc as well as program participants Kimberly Chau and Faeryn Rempel, about the program and what it has meant for them and their future careers and how creating meaningful art can start anywhere.
Cover Image: Generated using Magic Studio™.
SPEAKERS
Arnon Manor
Filmmaker // Independent, Sony Pictures Entertainment
(Quarter, Harold and the Purple Crayon, No Hard Feelings, Equalizer 3)
Arnon Manor is a filmmaker and Senior Vice President of Visual Effects at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Throughout his career, Arnon has collaborated with the industry’s most talented filmmakers on over 60 features in various capacities: as a VFX artist, VFX supervisor, VFX producer, and for the past 12 years as a studio executive.
He currently chairs the Education Committee of the Visual Effects Society, with the purpose of creating opportunities and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in VFX through education, as well engaging in other education-based industry initiatives. In 2020 he directed and produced the Black Lives Matter-themed, Peabody Award-winning Netflix animated short, Cops and Robbers, and he is currently completing his feature directorial debut.
Arnon is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, the Academy of Television, the Producers Guild of America, and the Visual Effects Society.
Faeryn Rempel
Artist // CREATE Department Head, Sisler High School
Faeryn Rempel is currently studying at Sisler CREATE’s Post High 2D Animation cohort. She was chosen to create an animated short film with a hardworking and passionate group of fellow artists under Arnon Manor’s mentorship.
Having always found beauty in everything she sees, she does her best to reflect that in her artwork. She's passionate about creating landscapes and playing with colours. Her biggest goal in life has always been to inspire others while my long-term goal is to work on background art, she can’t wait to see where her animation journey takes her!
Jamie Leduc
Animation Instructor // CREATE Department Head, Sisler High School
Jamie Leduc currently teaches animation at Sisler High School and is the Department Head of the CREATE program.
Jamie has over 20 years of experience in developing curriculum and teaching animation, film and game design in public education systems. He has enhanced student education by coordinating industry mentorships, internships, and scholarships. As a result, Leduc has inspired hundreds of students to pursue their dream careers in the game, film and animation industries.
Kimberly Chau
Artist // CREATE Department Head, Sisler High School
Kimberly Chau is an aspiring digital artist and animator. She will soon attend Vancouver Film School, but Sisler CREATE is where her passion for animation began. Kimberly developed her skills through competitions like Skills Canada, the 24 Hours Animation Contest and opportunities like the Orange Tree Project, a mentorship program with Nickelodeon.
She is currently working on Quarter as an animator. What Kimberly loves most about these opportunities is learning so much while creating entertaining stories with inspiring artists. She looks forward to experiencing more fun things in animation.
MODERATOR
Brenda Gilbert
Co-Founder // BRON Media Corp.
Brenda Gilbert, has co-founded BRON Media Corp., and has led the renowned studio with husband Aaron L. Gilbert. BRON Media Corp. has been a prolific award-winning studio behind numerous high-profile films. As part of 125+ productions and part of 38 Academy Awards nominations (6 wins), BRON’s impact has been undeniable.
Brenda serves on BRON’s Board, and also holds roles as Vice-Chair of BANFF World Media Festival, Vice-Chair of Film Independent’s Board, and was a track chair for Woman in Animation’s mentoring initiatives. Brenda mentors for various programs including Women of Color Unite, Consulate General of Canada’s Global Program, and the Academy Gold Rising Program. She advises Vancouver Film School and LaSalle College.
An Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences member, Brenda earned Variety’s 500 list honours twice, plus the honour of Variety’s Women Who Have Made a Global Impact and the Trailblazer of Excellence Award at the Oscar Micheaux Film Festival in 2022. She also received the Golden Orange Award at Miami Media and Film Market for her industry contributions and support.
