Aspiring animators have fresh opportunities, as Netflix announces the third iteration of the Netflix Animation Foundations Program. Launched last year, as a four-month metnorship program in partenrship with Latinx in Animation and Exceptional Minds, this successful first program was followed earlier this year with a second round, this time teaming up with Veterans in Media and Entertainment (VME) and IllumiNative to identify candidates from the Veteran and Native American / Alaskan Native communities.
“This program was so helpful as an aspiring storyboard artist trying to break in,” says Session 1 mentee Enacio Diaz. “My mentor showed us his creative process and was open to any questions from us. Just having first hand experience of someone creating a storyboard from a script was amazing to watch. All my niche questions were answered. I’ve learned so much.”
For this session, Netflix is partnering with Black N’ Animated: a community-oriented organization based in Los Angeles committed to the growth and empowerment of Black students and professionals in the animation industry. They are the home of the Black N’ Animated Podcast, hosted by Bre Williams and Waymond Singleton. They also work with local studios and organizations to provide networking opportunities and career development. Their goal is a healthy, diverse and inclusive industry and community.
The Program provides mentorships focused on art and visual development, storyboarding, CG/VFX, writing and production management. Its goal is to build equity and increase access for underrepresented early creatives. The third session will be selecting approximately 50 mentees.
Select members of Black N’ Animated will be invited to apply directly. Those interested can reach out and get involved with Black ‘N Animated directly to be considered. Visit Black N Animated’s website for more information.
Netflix Animation Foundation Program: Positive Results!
The first session with Latinx in Animation and Exceptional Minds had 74 mentees and 19 Netflix Animation mentors. The second session of the program ran with 22 NAS mentors and 52 mentees sourced from Illuminative and VME.
“I’ve established a great relationship with my mentor and feel that the Netflix staff was genuinely working to guide me to the next step in my professional career path. I challenged myself to develop an animated pilot during the program and I feel more confident in my writing!” Session 2 mentee Michale Johnson shares.
Program participants were matched to a mentor from Netflix Animation Studio. Mentees received mentorship on the industry, career advice and guidance with editing and curating professionally-styled portfolios, writing samples or resumes, so they are prepared to apply for internships, training/apprentice programs or entry level positions within animation.
“I loved the meetings had both with my mentor and mentees. I really appreciated how small the group was so that we had time to go over each other’s work. Our mentor was great with critics and offered a lot of incredible knowledge,” says Lauren Gregorio, a mentee in Session 1. “Although I would have liked to do more portfolio work, I understand that this program is meant to cover the foundations. Overall I think this was a great experience, and I would be excited if this program continued onwards!”
Session 2 mentee Emily Stewart adds, “I loved being able to hear professional’s side of how the industry works and their upcoming stories. It really opened my eyes, and on top of that learning about the animation pipeline was extremely helpful as well.”
Netflix has also updated the industry with specific success stories, noting that up-and-coming animation pros from both sessions have found placements at a number of high profile studios and media outfits, including (in alphabetical order by company):
- CBS Sports: Adam Schuering (Media Services Coordinator), Michael Cicerelli (Media Coordinator)
- Diamond Games: Veronica Dolcich (Character Animator)
- Disney TV Animation: Saige Guevara (Freelance Character Designer)
- DreamWorks Animation: Eli Gross (Internship)
- Fuse FX: Gabriella DeJesus (CG Generalist)
- Marvel Studios: Shutianyi Li (Character Designer)
- Mattel: Doron Tuvia (Design Intern)
- NBCUniversal: David Miles (VFX Production Assistant)
- Nickelodeon: Gabriel Vergara (Development Intern), Lauren Gregorio (Intern), Becca David (Production Intern)
- Pixelogic: Mina McCauley (Motion Graphics and VFX Artist)
- PPC: Sarah Barnes (Junior Motion Graphics Artist)
- Titmouse: Jessica Calabro (Production Assistant)
- Warner Bros.: Clarissa Corral (Art Intern)
