A Non-Profit Vocational Center & Animation Studio

Featuring Young Adults On The Autism Spectrum   
Back to School News
September 23, 2014 - Vol. 29
"Welcome Back EM Students!"

Our 2014-15 School Year has begun!  Twenty-seven new and returning full-time students are busy studying and learning important skills that will prepare them for the future. We are excited about the level of talent our students are showing and how enthusiastic they all are about learning and working at Exceptional Minds.

Since school started, our students have participated in a brainstorming session for an animated film and have helped to produce our annual EM DVD.  First year students are studying Adobe Flash, second year students are working on After Effects and editing, while third year students hone in on the advanced visual effects and animation skills needed for work.  Our private tutoring program is almost full with students eager to get a head start on their careers.   

We encourage all our Exceptional Parents to participate in our bi-monthly parent meetings.  Please join us on Sunday, October 12, 3-5, to hear Special Needs Attorney and EM Advisory Board Member Valarie Vanaman and staff discuss "Legal Life Beyond 18."  You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from a wonderful speaker and to network with other parents.

Here's to another "exceptional" year!

 

Yudi Bennett & Ernie Merlan
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
BEGIN NEW 2014-15 SCHOOL YEAR




EM students Steven, Shane & Nicky, listen intently as our staff introduce school curriculum.




 
  Program Director, Ernie Merlan, instructs a packed house of students!







Students are all smiles as Ernie discusses potential jobs.













David and Annie dream of great things to come.




 
 
Brainstorming
for New Animated Film

Lots of creative, innovative ideas from our EM students and staff.



 


Dr. Ben shows students storyboards & concept art.








EM Students provide valuable suggestions.








Adam's got an idea!



 
EM DVD Filming Day
EM Students & Staff get ready for a full day of shooting our next DVD.


Head of Production, Craig Sietz, shows off 3D glasses, with EM graduate students (now studio employees), Patrick, Christopher & Eli.







EM Editor, Ben Saltzman, assists camera crew with filming.
 
EM Students & Staff Celebrate
September Birthdays!
Students sing "happy birthday" to Eli, Jeremy, Chris, Kat & Suzette.





Kat & Suzette
make a wish!


PLEASE SUPPORT
EXCEPTIONAL MINDS!

 Federal Tax ID: 80-0392843
  


IN THE NEWS 

MARK YOUR CALENDERS! 


Our First Exceptional Parents Meeting of the 2014-15 School Year will be...

Sunday, October 12th 
3-5pm at EM
Topic:
"The Legal Life Beyond 18: Accessing Essential
Supports & Services"

 presented by...
Valerie Vanaman, David German & Sophia Bliziotis 
 

AMAZING DONATION OPPORTUNITY!

Trumpet & Horn,
Estate Jewelry & Vintage Diamond Rings Sales,
will be making a generous donation to Exceptional Minds for every ring sale on their website.

Please click the logo below to make a purchase and provide EM with valuable resources for our students!


Thank You Trumpet & Horn!


DON'T FORGET TO UPDATE... 


ATTENTION!!!
All Participants in RALPHS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM...

Please RE-REGISTER your card as soon as possible.
This is an annual requirement for all enrolled.


Click Here to Register!

Thank you all for participating and providing EM with much needed funding!


JUST PUBLISHED!

 
EM is very proud to announce that Advisory Board Member,  
Susan Zwerman, just
published a new book,

The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures.

For more information,
click book cover below.
 


Congratulations Susie!
 

Contact Us 
 


13400 Riverside Drive
Suite #211
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 387-8811

 

 

info@ExceptionalMindsStudio.org

For more information, please email
us using the link below.

  


CHECK US OUT