Sisler welcomes WSD junior high students for day of creativity

The next generation of filmmakers and video game designers gathered at École Secondaire Sisler High School on Feb. 2 for a jam-packed day of imagination and ingenuity.   

Over 100 junior high students from École Lansdowne, Meadows West School, École Waterford Springs School, École Stanley Knowles School and Shaughnessy Park School visited Sisler on Groundhog Day to participate in film and video game design jams.

The jams saw junior high students working in teams of two or three to make short films and basic video games, with each group guided by a Sisler CREATE program post-high or Grade 12 student.

“We want to show students that if they watch movies, TV or streaming videos and think ‘Wow, I want to do that’, there is a place for them here to start that journey,” said Jonathan Dyck-Lyons, Sisler CREATE film instructor.

“We want to inspire these students with hands-on experience, take their ideas and make them come to life. If we can light that spark for them, we can offer a pathway that leads from the high school level into our post-high program and then off into post-secondary education and the industry.”

The CREATE program provides high school and post-high students with opportunities in video game design, filmmaking, animation, graphic design, photography, visual effects and digital media.

The program also provides pathways to creative industries, partnering with such entities as Nickelodeon, Ubisoft, Nelvana, CBC and REEL FX Animation.

Last year, 16 CREATE students received full-ride scholarships to Vancouver Film School.

The film and game jams began at 9 a.m. with keynote speeches by Paul Donnett of WriterJump and Rebecca Harrison of Flightyfelon Games.

Speaking via video from Vancouver, Donnett stressed the importance of strong storytelling.

“Everybody’s got a story and stories can radically change how people relate to each other and how they think about themselves,” Donnett said.

“The technical aspects, how to use a camera, how to use software, are critical to learn. However, the thing that will make you truly stand out is understanding that at the end of the day, animators, video game designers and filmmakers are all just telling stories. The story is what sticks with us.”

At the end of his speech, Donnett issued a writing prompt, tasking the students with creating 30 to 60 second films based on “the first day in a new school.”

After a quick snack, the students began brainstorming ideas for their short films. Storyboarding started shortly thereafter, followed by shooting after lunch.

The films and video games were showcased later in the afternoon, with prizes awarded to the best projects.

Lansdowne students Adam Gibson and Yoej Sara made a short comedy film about a kid who is late for school.

“He bangs on the door, but the class thinks he’s an intruder,” said Gibson, a Grade 7 student.

“I like the whole concept of telling stories. It’s fun. We made another film a little while ago for a school project. It was a comedy version of The Hobbit.”

CREATE post-high students Lee Chiu and Mailyn Ramiscal helped the young Lansdowne students bring their idea to reality.

“It’s really nice getting to work with these kids,” Chiu said. “When I was in middle school, I really wanted to create, but I didn’t have the opportunity to do something as cool as this. I’m really grateful I get to do this now.”