The Center for Learning Unlimited unveils Brainstorm Productions

The Center for Learning Unlimited unveils Brainstorm Productions

June 8th, 2021

Jerry Beck

The Center for Learning Unlimited, a non-public, WASC accredited day school in Torrance, California, proudly makes a dual announcement of convocation and expansion. On June 15, the inaugural graduating class of CLU’s career animation training program officially enters the workforce. Simultaneously, CLU flings open the doors of its blossoming, companion motion graphics studio: Brainstorm Productions.

In addition to kindergarten – 12th grade special education, CLU maintains a highly regarded, 3-year animation curriculum for adults (ages 18+) on the autism spectrum. Summer 2021 marks the completion of intensive 2D and 3D studies for eight neurodiverse CLU clients.

The CLU class of 2021 includes Jade Boyd, Tori Boyd, Lawren Cruz, Vincente Guerrero, Anne Marie Las Pinas, George Manukyan, Michael Miro, and Haileigh Tenney. All are recently certified Autodesk Maya CGI software artists.

Each of the apprentice auteurs has a CV with crew positions on the short film What To Do With Your Tabloid News, an almost 3-minute, lighthearted explainer video that employs origami, stop motion animation and CGI to achieve maximum messaging impact. The film is an official selection of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (in association with the Bentonville Film Festival), the Frame by Frame Film Fest, and the KIDS FIRST! Film Fest, respectively.

“I know you will all continue to succeed, and I loved your film and your whole team! Thanks again for your support and passion!” enthuses Nic Novicki, award-winning actor and Easterseals Disability Film Challenge founder/director.

Regarding aesthetics, KIDS FIRST! film critics Ashleigh C. and Julie S. compliment ‘Tabloid News’ thus: “The entire production team seems to have a great sense of humor; even the end credits gave us a quick laugh. The stop motion and the funny text scenes are favorites. The fact that this film was created by adult students on the autism spectrum makes this even more interesting.”

Just-born Brainstorm Productions has a distinct mission: To be that bridge between school enrollment and paid roles within third party players, such as Disney, Netflix, Electronic Arts, and other entities large and small. Brainstorm Productions presents compensated job opportunities for those with CLU animation diplomas. The business is a full-service entity staffed with alums on contract assignments and original creative development projects. Potential patrons, such as video game companies, film and TV producers, NGOs, and small business advertisers, are welcome to connect with CLU now!

CLU founder and executive director Virginia Erxleben, EdD, BCET is enthusiastic about prospects for the newly minted animation professionals. She says, “Brainstorm Productions supplies a launch pad for these unconventional content creators. We hope to engage with the entertainment industry on many fronts to provide meaningful employment inside an underserved community. Our students are too talented not to contribute to their chosen field! Let’s change the statistic from 85% unemployment to 85% employment within the neurodiverse population. Brainstorm Productions is another step in that direction.”

About The Center for Learning Unlimited

Established in 2002, The Center for Learning Unlimited has a calling to reconnect complex young learners with their academic, social and emotional potential, thereby empowering them to engage as citizens of the 21st century. CLU serves both publicly and privately sponsored students with learning challenges in grades kindergarten through 12. This therapeutic educational environment is characterized by individualized teaching plans, an exceptional faculty, and year-round initiatives structured to meet the needs of students and their families. CLU also is home to a swiftly growing animation career training program for adults on the autism spectrum. As the CLU sister studio, Brainstorm Productions offers paid workplace experience for CLU animation alumni.
To browse an interactive animation student art gallery with noteworthy school updates, please visit the CLU LinkedIn.com page.

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.