The CLU Career Training Program in Torrance, California — an initiative of The Center for Learning Unlimited — is toasting the third graduating class of its animation career training program for neurodiverse adults. Alongside commencement, CLU announces film festival (and other) honors, plus a robust project slate for its affiliated animation studio Brainstorm Productions, now in its second year of full-time operation.
An original, animated, half-hour special consisting of all original short films is currently in the works at Brainstorm, on track for a streaming debut in time for World Autism Month (April) 2024.
The CLU class of 2023 includes Christian Pech, Bryan Ramirez, Leo Romero, Brandon Williams and Bobby Toresdahl. After graduation exercises, the emergent alums will be employees of CLU Transitions, DBA Brainstorm Productions, which supports brick-and-mortar facilities on Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance.
In the last year, Brainstorm has completed a kid-lit inspired multimedia package, comprising two animated short films, for author and director Linda Malik. The resulting animation Willow’s Tale – the adventures of a little black cat with a big imagination — is on the international film festival circuit, set to screen in the 2023 Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival on July 26. Willow’s Tale also is one of only 10 official selections in the 2023 NY Cat Film Festival, lauded by New York Times in an October 2022 spread.
“Our long and successful collaboration with Brainstorm Productions has resulted in two short animations and one book, with more exciting projects to come,” says Malik. “On behalf of all little black cats, we are grateful.”
LA Shorts Fest director Robert Arentz comments, “We are excited to welcome this talented crew into LA Shorts International Fest 2023. Their Willow work jumps off the screen. It will be a treat for audiences to share this joy in the theater.”
In addition, Brainstorm Productions has embarked on meaningful partnerships with top karaoke manufacturer The Singing Machine Company and its Social Impact Officer Genna Rosenberg of GennComm, musical non-profit Rock Autism and children’s book authors Jane Kusch (The Secret Life of Sheba) and Lisa Jacovsky (Rascal Cat Brothers, Purrrfect as I Am), respectively. In-production projects include an animated music video from composers/creators Tim and Vickie Myers, plus a graphic novel (Tierra de Libertad or Land of Freedom) by Latina filmmaker, writer, producer and La Femme Film Fest founder Leslie LaPage.
“CLU and Brainstorm Productions continue to amaze!” says recently instated Brainstorm senior staffer, animator and Grilled Cheese Media co-founder Bob Harper. “I look forward to joining forces with these inventive artists.”
The studio’s enthusiastic cabinet also includes advisory board members Walter Santucci and Kathleen Davison; CLU and Brainstorm founder/executive director Virginia Erxleben, EdD, BCET; animation program coordinator Sylvia Owens; and entertainment industry consultant Marlene Sharp of Pink Poodle Productions.
“Brainstorm is a catapult for these unconventional content creators. We hope to engage with the entertainment industry on many fronts to provide meaningful employment inside an underserved community,” says Erxleben. “Our students are too talented not to contribute to their chosen field! Let’s change the narrative from 80% unemployment to 80% employment within the neurodiverse population. Brainstorm Productions is a big step in that direction.”
CLU is home to a swiftly growing animation career training program for adults on the autism spectrum. As CLU’s sister creative and digital arts studio, Brainstorm Productions offers paid workplace experience for CLU animation alumni. Brainstorm has a distinct mission: To be that bridge between school enrollment and paid roles. Brainstorm Productions proudly presents compensated job opportunities for those with CLU animation diplomas. Learn more at cflu.org .
