Oct 30, 2020
Vancouver, BC – Eight students and two instructors from Langara College’s Centre for Entertainment Arts (LCEA) have contributed to a Netflix production that might be Oscar-worthy.
Arnon Manor, Sony Pictures’ Vice-President, Visual Effects, invited students to work on Cops and Robbers, a project in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Studios from around the world contributed to the project and only three education institutions were invited: a post-secondary school in Germany, Sisler High School in Winnipeg, and LCEA.
The students and instructors worked together to create original animation content for the film which has since been picked up by Netflix and submitted for consideration for the Academy Awards.
“The experience of working on Cops and Robbers has made me a better animator,” said LCEA student Xiaoqing Wang. “When the chance came to me, to be a part of this incredible project for the BLM movement, it was truly an honour.”
The LCEA team led by acclaimed animators Jason Snyman and Paul Bwengye were able to successfully navigate the compressed schedule and complex demands of the project.
“Supervising students on Timothy Ware’s Cops and Robbers made me proud to use my abilities to shine a light on a racial situation that, in some cases, I used to turn a blind eye to because it was painful to watch, read, listen, to or be a victim of,” said Bwengye. “The students did an amazing job and I’m super proud of every single one of them.”
“Thank you, for allowing your students to participate and for the wonderful artistry and creation,” added Manor. “The segment the students created is so powerful and fits perfectly into that section of the video. I can’t thank you all enough for taking this on and being part of Cops and Robbers.”
The students taking part included: Angelina Verdernikova, Louis Masiwo Muwale, Luo-Ching Chiu, Mansukh Deep Singh, Ming (Sidney) Yang, Monica Fruzzetti Amaro, Vashu Savani, Xiaoqing Wang
About Langara College Centre for Entertainment Arts
The Centre for Entertainment Arts is a digital entertainment school that offers diplomas in Advanced 3D Animation, VFX, Game Design, Game Technology as well as a Foundation in Entertainment Arts Certificate. Students learn from an outstanding curriculum that is taught by top industry experts and designed to set students up for success. Successful students will graduate with the skills they need to immediately enter the job market, with international students eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) for up to three years. Our brand new 38,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility is located in the heart of Vancouver's creative district, giving students opportunities to meet and network with industry professionals.
About Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 23,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as 'house of teachings', a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
mdawson@langara.ca
