The Winnipeg's School Division's CREATE program at École Secondaire Sisler High School will host Film and Video Game Design Jams on February 2, 2023. Students from the program will welcome nearly 100 junior high students from Meadows West School, École Lansdowne School, École Waterford Springs School, École Stanley Knowles School and Shaughnessy Park School for a day of learning and creativity.
Each team of three junior high students will be mentored through the process of developing a short film or basic video game by a Sisler CREATE post-high or Grade 12 student. Participants will learn the basics of the art form throughout the day as they create their project. All films and games will be presented at the end of the day, with prizes awarded for the most successful projects.
"The purpose of the jams is to introduce younger students to these creative and innovative fields," said Bernard Alibudbud, Game Design instructor at Sisler High School. "These digital industries are growing, especially here in Manitoba, so we want students to see film and game design as viable educational and career options."
Sisler's CREATE program offers both high school and post-high study opportunities in film, game design, animation, design, 3D, VFX and other digital media. The program partners with studios around the world including Nickelodeon, Nelvana, REEL FX Animation, Ubisoft, CBC Creator Network, CBC Kids, Bell MTS and others to prepare students for the workforce or further post-secondary opportunities in the digital media sector. Last year, 19 students from the program received full ride scholarships to Vancouver Film School, while others found employment in the industry after completing CREATE's post-high program.
"The program is growing each year. We are seeing new partnerships that allow students to create original content for platforms like CBC, CBC Kids and Bell MTS," said Jonathan Dyck-Lyons, film instructor at Sisler High School. "The industry is really investing in our students. They are extremely supportive of our program and see CREATE as a training ground for the next generation of artists and creators."
The Film and Game Jams will begin at 9:00am on Feb 2 with keynote speeches. Paul Donnett of Writer Jump will give the film keynote about storytelling, while Rebecca Harrison from local studio Flightyfelon Games will give the game design keynote about working in the industry. The junior high students will then work throughout the school with their CREATE mentors throughout the day to craft a short film or basic game. The projects will be showcased in the afternoon around 2:30 p.m., with prizes awarded after the showing for the best films and games.
The Game Design and Film Jams are sponsored by New Media Manitoba, Eagle Vision Inc., IATSE 856, Ubisoft, Writer Jump and ACTRA Manitoba. Prize sponsors include IATSE 856, Bell MTS, CBC, Ubisoft and Eagle Vision Inc.
