A second edition of the Netflix Animation Foundations Program is underway, continuing the streamer’s initiative to create equitable access to the industry for early creatives from underrepresented communities. “Stories like Spirit Rangers, Maya and the Three and Over the Moon help us see new perspectives and bring us closer to each other. With better representation in the animation industry, we can bring more of these types of stories to the world,” the announcement points out.
The program was developed to help talent compete more effectively against candidates from prestige animation schools or well-connected referrals for entry-level roles in the industry. Last year, NAFP launched with a four-month mentorship offered in partnership with LatinX in Animation and Exceptional Minds.
“This program was so helpful as an aspiring storyboard artist trying to break in. My mentor showed us his creative process and was open to any questions from us,” said NAFP alum Enacio Diaz, who participated in the Story Group. “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. Thank you so much Netflix! Also to my mentor.”
Production Group mentee Valeria Valdes Cosilion was also enthusiastic about the first session: “This was such a wonderful program! I came in not knowing much about the animation industry and production management for animation, but now, I am leaving with a wealth of knowledge that my mentor, Pam Coats, bestowed on me.”
For the second session, the streamer is teaming up with Veterans in Media and Entertainment (VME) and IllumiNative to identify candidates from the veteran and Native American / Alaskan Native communities.
Veterans in Media and Entertainment is a professional association of U.S. military veterans working in, or aspiring to work in, media and entertainment. Members work in all facets of the industry from above the line creatives to positions in studios, networks, agencies, production companies, trades, and unions/guilds. With over 4,800 members across the nation, VME’s footprint spans film, television, commercials, digital media, theater, music, animation and gaming.
IllumiNative is a national, Native woman-led nonprofit dedicated to increasing the visibility of Native peoples and challenging and changing the narrative about Native peoples. We envision a future where the self-determination and sovereignty of Native peoples is respected, where our children see themselves reflected in the world around them, and where Native peoples author and drive our own narrative.
The first program saw 74 mentees work with 19 mentors from Netflix Animation Studio, focussing on art and visual development, storyboarding, CG/VFX, writing and production management. NAFP participants received mentorship on the industry, career advice and guidance with editing and curating professionally-styled portfolios, writing samples or resumes, preparing them to apply for internships, training/apprentice programs or entry level positions within animation.
“I learned so much about writing for animation. It was so much fun to write a fake episode for a show we loved and to adapt to the writing style and comedy,” said Katherine McSpadden (Writing Group).
Yuri Pineda (Story Group) attested, “I’m happy to have had the pleasure to connect with other artists; they have been very encouraging and have also helped me push myself. Throughout the mentorship, I gained a greater understanding of how to push storytelling, acting, staging and composition within my storyboards.”
