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Go behind the scenes with the talented artists and creative teams behind today’s most celebrated animated features, shorts, and series.
Production Sessions offer an in-depth look at the artistic processes, technical challenges, and creative decisions that bring these projects to life. Gain exclusive insights and firsthand knowledge from the minds shaping the future of animation.
In this behind-the-scenes look of Secret of the Hunter, a short film produced by the talented team at Exceptional Minds, a nonprofit organization that provides training in animation, visual effects, and other digital arts for artists on the autism spectrum, the filmmakers take us through the creative and technical processes that brought the short film to life.
Perfect for aspiring filmmakers and anyone interested in inclusive creativity, this session offers a glimpse into how dedication, teamwork, and a passion for storytelling come together to create a film.
Watch Secret of the Hunter here.
Image Credit: 'Secret of the Hunter' © 2024 Exceptional Minds. All Rights Reserved.
SPEAKERS
Andy Nava
Animation Artist // Exceptional Minds
Andy Nava is an animator and illustrator passionate about 2D Animation professionally and theme parks as a hobby. He believes in the power of fantasy in creating role models that exemplify messages of morality to the masses. At Exceptional Minds he's known mostly for how many personal IPs he works on, and has even gotten the chance to pitch one.
Andy has done a lot of design work for the animation and video game clubs of the academy and recently have done concept art at the Animation Studio. He's been recently seeked out for is great sense of using color in strong contrasting compositions, with a splash of unconventionality that keeps his work fresh. He takes a lot of pride in his character designs, storyboards, color work, leadership and collaboration abilities.
Ludwig Tan
Rough Animator // Exceptional Minds
After earning his Bachelors in Fine Arts in Animation from Cal State Fullerton, Ludwig Tan has consistently pursued further development and enhancement of his skills in both 2D and 3D animation. Thriving under pressure and meeting deadlines as a hardworking team player, he is committed to creating any type of animation projects. His ultimate goal is to the creation of animated features, TV shows, or video game designs in the animation industry, which inspired him to pursue this career.
As of now, he is fully dedicated to building his career in animation, and eagerly anticipates learning more and working as a professional and/or freelance artist in a collaborative environment in the future.
Jess Jerome
Head of Animation // Exceptional Minds
Jess is an animator, editor, and visual artist with over 10 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, who does freelance animation/art on the side. One of her passions is for storytelling.
She is the head of animation in the academy at Exceptional Minds. She loves to tell a story, anyway that she can. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Media Arts in Animation and got her start in the video game industry. Jess’s hobbies include, drumming, hiking and collecting tiki mugs.
MODERATOR
Stephanie Liakos
Communications and Marketing Manager // Exceptional Minds
Stephanie Liakos is the Communications and Marketing Manager at Exceptional Minds. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film, Video, and Media Studies before beginning her career as an independent film marketer. From there, she discovered her love of sharing the work of artists from underrepresented backgrounds and perspectives. Stephanie also has personal projects in photography, writing, music, and backcountry hiking.
Go behind the scenes with the talented artists and creative teams behind today’s most celebrated animated features, shorts, and series.
Production Sessions offer an in-depth look at the artistic processes, technical challenges, and creative decisions that bring these projects to life. Gain exclusive insights and firsthand knowledge from the minds shaping the future of animation.
In this behind-the-scenes look of Secret of the Hunter, a short film produced by the talented team at Exceptional Minds, a nonprofit organization that provides training in animation, visual effects, and other digital arts for artists on the autism spectrum, the filmmakers take us through the creative and technical processes that brought the short film to life.
Perfect for aspiring filmmakers and anyone interested in inclusive creativity, this session offers a glimpse into how dedication, teamwork, and a passion for storytelling come together to create a film.
Watch Secret of the Hunter here.
Image Credit: 'Secret of the Hunter' © 2024 Exceptional Minds. All Rights Reserved.
SPEAKERS
Andy Nava
Animation Artist // Exceptional Minds
Andy Nava is an animator and illustrator passionate about 2D Animation professionally and theme parks as a hobby. He believes in the power of fantasy in creating role models that exemplify messages of morality to the masses. At Exceptional Minds he's known mostly for how many personal IPs he works on, and has even gotten the chance to pitch one.
Andy has done a lot of design work for the animation and video game clubs of the academy and recently have done concept art at the Animation Studio. He's been recently seeked out for is great sense of using color in strong contrasting compositions, with a splash of unconventionality that keeps his work fresh. He takes a lot of pride in his character designs, storyboards, color work, leadership and collaboration abilities.
Ludwig Tan
Rough Animator // Exceptional Minds
After earning his Bachelors in Fine Arts in Animation from Cal State Fullerton, Ludwig Tan has consistently pursued further development and enhancement of his skills in both 2D and 3D animation. Thriving under pressure and meeting deadlines as a hardworking team player, he is committed to creating any type of animation projects. His ultimate goal is to the creation of animated features, TV shows, or video game designs in the animation industry, which inspired him to pursue this career.
As of now, he is fully dedicated to building his career in animation, and eagerly anticipates learning more and working as a professional and/or freelance artist in a collaborative environment in the future.
Jess Jerome
Head of Animation // Exceptional Minds
Jess is an animator, editor, and visual artist with over 10 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, who does freelance animation/art on the side. One of her passions is for storytelling.
She is the head of animation in the academy at Exceptional Minds. She loves to tell a story, anyway that she can. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Media Arts in Animation and got her start in the video game industry. Jess’s hobbies include, drumming, hiking and collecting tiki mugs.
MODERATOR
Stephanie Liakos
Communications and Marketing Manager // Exceptional Minds
Stephanie Liakos is the Communications and Marketing Manager at Exceptional Minds. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Film, Video, and Media Studies before beginning her career as an independent film marketer. From there, she discovered her love of sharing the work of artists from underrepresented backgrounds and perspectives. Stephanie also has personal projects in photography, writing, music, and backcountry hiking.
