2024-25: 2D & 3D Animation Program Educational Partnerships & Updates

Studio Mentorships:

The Orange Tree Project – Year 5:

A group of CREATE students will be working closely with artists, directors, producers, animators, storyboard artists from Nickelodeon Animation for the fifth year of the Orange Tree Project. This year will not be centred around the development of a Series or animated Shorts. We have a big surprise...if it gets approved. If not, students will work on an animated short.

Established in 2020, The Orange Tree Project stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration in the realm of education. Born from what some might call a “Crazy Idea,” this transformative initiative is the brainchild of Nickelodeon Community Efforts (Nice) and Sisler High School’s Create program. At its core, The Orange Tree Project is dedicated to providing high school students with unparalleled access to mentorship opportunities, guiding them through the intricacies of the animation pipeline and immersing them in a dynamic, studio-like environment. With a focus on fostering creativity and teamwork, this partnership has empowered hundreds of Winnipeg students to unleash their potential, resulting in the creation of seven 2D animated shorts, one 3D animated short, and the development of six series. How amazing is it that this year’s Orange Tree Project concludes in a showcase at Nickelodeon Animation, a testament to the extraordinary journey and achievements of these aspiring animators.

Arnon Manor Social Justice Animated Project:

A group of CREATE students will be working closely with Arnon Manor (filmmaker and Senior VP of Visual Effects at Sony Pictures) to create an animated social justice short.

Established in 2020, our educational partnership between Arnon Manor and Sisler High School’s Create program has flourished into a dynamic platform for student creativity and social advocacy. Stemming from a shared vision to empower youth through animation and storytelling, this collaboration transcends traditional mentorship models by integrating a profound exploration of social justice issues. Inspired by the tragic events surrounding the death of Ahmaud Arbery, the partnership catalyzed the production of the Peabody Award-winning short film, “Cops & Robbers,” now available on Netflix. 

At its core, the initiative aims to equip high school students with essential animation skills while fostering a deep engagement with societal concerns. 

The next project, led by Arnon Manor and Kelsey Bascom, the mentorship program has guided 62 students through immersive workshops, culminating in projects such as the forthcoming feature film, “Quarter,” addressing type-1 Diabetes. 

Jam Filled Mentorship – Year 2:

A group of CREATE students is receiving mentorship and masterclasses from Canadian studio Jam Filled Entertainment as they create an animated short.

We are so fortunate to have been a small part of the Sisler Create program. Seeing the student progression throughout this process has been very rewarding and we can’t wait to see what these students do in the future.

PHIL LAFRANCE

The future looks bright for the next generation of animation professionals from SISLER CREATE. It’s been great to have the opportunity to give them feedback on story and see them actually apply what they learn. Go SISLER!

JAMIE LECLAIRE

The Sisler Create Program is nothing short of inspiring both for the students involved as well as for us as a studio. Seeing their passion and enthusiasm for animation grow, along with the confidence, skills and fundamentals they are gaining from being a part of this program has been truly amazing to watch develop over the past few months.

MICHAEL HUNTER

Sisler X Wacom’s CREATE for the World – Year 3:

A group of students is working with mentor Jason Scheier (production designer for Paramount Animation), Sarajean TheOneWithBear, and Wacom Canada on the creation of a social-justice themed animated short.

In 2024, our students created Mouse-Trap. Mouse-Trap is a comic book by Sisler CREATE For the World. The story follows Mus, a short, big-eared, freckled freshman going into a different school. While being the new kid, Mus faces obstacles such as social anxiety, self-confidence issues, and fake friends. The goal of this comic is to showcase the difference between toxic and healthy relationships with others and with ourselves. Working on this project hits close to home as everyone in the team sympathizes with the main character in a special way. We incorporated experiences from group members not only to create a source of relatability but also as a way to find closure in our own issues. A great thanks to our mentors, Jason Scheier and Dave Bolton for their nonstop support throughout the whole process. Without them and their advice, this comic wouldn’t be what it is today.

My involvement with Sisler’s CREATE program is one of the highlights of what I do. Seeing the development of the student creators is beyond rewarding – it is an experience that I am truly thankful for each and every time we meet. Thank you to Jamie and the CREATE program for including me, and allowing me to learn what makes these students truly amazing.

DAVE BOLTON, Director – Wacom Canada

Working with Sisler’s Create program and our partners at Wacom is truly incredible! Being a part of this group is truly a dream come true. Watching our students grow into forces of nature with their human skills, artistic intelligence, and most of all kindness is why I love to be a part of this group. I’m so honored to be called a mentor by such amazing people. Everyone gives their collective all in everything they do, and it shows. Jamie and Chris are the glue that holds this entire project together, and Dave is a magnificent partner in sharing insight and wisdom with the team. Thank you Sisler for letting me be a small part of this amazing program! 

JASON SCHEIER
Production Designer-Transformers One
Paramount Animation

Grandpa’s Tales of Terror 11:

A group of students is working with mentor Chris Darnbrough (2D animator at Titmouse) and founder Darren Felbel on the the creation of a animatic and an animation test for GTT. Learn more: https://grampastalesofterror.com

Our goal is to continue to develop paid internship opportunities with Daren. At the end of 2024, 2 students were selected to complete paid internships on the creation of assets for the GTT podcast.

Spin Master X Create Toy Design – year 1:

A group of students is working with the Toy division at Spin Master and Jennifer Llewellyn on the the creation of a toy-line for an animated IP and animate a trailer for the line.

REEL FX Animation:

3D animation students will work with Reel FX to learn the 3D animation pipeline and create content with monthly mentorship from the studio.

Internships:

Masterclasses:

This year the following studios may be continuing to developer additional educational masterclasses