13400 Riverside Drive, Ste. 211, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818.387.8811

www.ExceptionalMindsStudio.org

A N o n - P r o f i t V o c a t i o n a l C e n t e r & A n i m a t i o n S t u d i o

F o r Y o u n g A d u l t s O n t h e A u t i s m S p e c t r u m  Introduction  to  our  school  and  working  studio:  Exceptional  Minds  (EM)  is  a  nonprofit  vocational  school  and  working  studio  that  prepares  young  adults  on  the  autism  spectrum  for  careers  in  digital  animation  and  visual  effects.  The  first  and  only  school  of  its  kind,  EM  is  a  dynamic  answer  to  the  high  unemployment  and  social  isolation  characteristic  of  today’s  young  adults  with  ASD  as  they  age  out  of  the  public  school  system.  We  provide  customized  instruction  in  visual  effects  and  digital  animation  along  with  a  work  readiness  curriculum  to  prepare  this  underserved  population  for  lifelong  careers.  Our  full-­‐time,  three-­‐year  vocational  program  offers  a  crucial  bridge  between  high  school  and  meaningful  employment  by  building  on  the  strengths  of  these  individuals.  EM  also  offers  private  tutoring,  small  group  instruction,  and  summer  workshops.      Why  EM  is  different:  We  are  totally  focused  on  meaningful  employment  for  individuals  on  the  autism  spectrum.  We  teach  our  students  the  specialized  technical  skills  that  are  highly  sought  after  in  digital  post-­‐production.  EM  operates  a  professional  studio  (EMS)  to  provide  visual  effects  and  computer  animation  services  to  the  motion  picture  industry,  allowing  graduates  to  work  in  paid  positions  while  honing  their  skills  for  outside  employment.    EM’s  close  relationship  with  the  entertainment  industry  has  provided  our  graduates  with  work  experience  on  high-­‐profile  projects,  including  Captain  America:  Civil  War,  Ant-­‐Man,  Avengers:  Age  of  Ultron,  Game  of  Thrones,  and  Hunger  Games:  Mockingjay  Part  2.    We  have  also  created  original  animation  for  Sesame  Street  and  other  clients.    The  Exceptional  Minds  philosophy:  We  strive  to  instill  in  our  students  lifelong  problem  solving  and  the  social  skills  necessary  for  them  to  become  self-­‐sufficient,  productive  members  of  society.  The  EM  program  embraces  person-­‐centered  learning,  and  incorporates  individual  strengths  and  interests.  We  have  a  strong  Job  Placement  program  that  includes  individually  placing  graduates  in  the  right  job  and  preparing  that  workplace  for  a  successful  transition.    Students  from  all  walks  of  life  are  welcomed  at  EM.  We  recognize  that  autism  has  no  geographic,  economic,  or  racial/ethnic  boundaries.  EM  is  committed  to  creating  a  world  in  which  individuals  with  ASD  are  recognized  for  their  talents  and  abilities  and  can  work  successfully  in  their  chosen  profession.    Exceptional  Minds  develops  working  professionals:  EM  graduates  go  on  to  careers  in  the  digital  arts  fields,  either  as  employees  for  outside  companies  or  on  contract  for  the  Exceptional  Minds  Studio.    At  EM,  we  realize  that  employment  is  the  gateway  to  independence,  stability  and  self-­‐esteem  for  people  in  general  and  especially  true  for  those  with  autism.    Every  student  who  walks  through  our  doors  is  given  the  training  and  tools  necessary  to  begin  a  lifelong  journey  of  accomplishment,  confidence  and  self-­‐discovery.    Join  us  in  their  journey  to  success!      

A N o n - P r o f i t V o c a t i o n a l C e n t e r & A n i m a t i o n S t u d i o

F o r Y o u n g A d u l t s O n t h e A u t i s m S p e c t r u m

QUICK  FACTS  ABOUT  EM  &  Autism    

• In  2009  Exceptional  Minds  is  awarded  its  501  (c)  (3)  non-­‐profit  status.  

• In  2011  Exceptional  Minds  opens  the  doors  to  this  one-­‐of-­‐a-­‐kind  program,  welcoming  nine  first-­‐year  students.    

• In  2012  part-­‐time  private  tutoring  is  made  available  along  with  small  group  instruction  and  a  robust  summer  workshop  program.    

• In  2013  Exceptional  Minds  moves  to  a  new  suite,  tripling  in  size  and  increasing  its  student  capacity.    

• In  2014  Exceptional  Minds  graduates  the  first  class  from  the  three-­‐year  vocational  program,  changing  the  future  for  young  adults  with  autism.    

• In  June  of  2015  Exceptional  Minds  celebrates  the  second  graduating  class,  placing  two  graduates  in  studio  positions  and  opening  its  own  in-­‐house  studio.  Graduates  work  on  more  than  a  dozen  movies  including  the  blockbusters  Captain  America:  Civil  War,  Avengers:  Age  of  Ultron,  Dawn  of  the  Planet  of  the  Apes  and  Hunger  Games:  Mockingjay  Part  2.    

• By  summer  of  2016,  with  only  five  years  in  operation,  EM  provides  customized  education  in  the  digital  arts  to  over  200  children,  teens  and  young  adults  and  has  25  graduates.    We  are  changing  lives  one  frame  at  a  time…    

• Currently,  for  every  three  families  wanting  their  young  adults  to  attend  our  vocational  academy,  only  one  can  be  accepted.    Lack  of  capacity  due  to  funding  is  a  reality.  

THE  CONSTITUENCY  WE  SERVE…    

• Autism  is  the  fastest-­‐growing  developmental  disability  in  the  U.S.    

• More  than  3  million  Americans  have  an  autism  spectrum  disorder.        

• According  to  the  CDC's  Autism  and  Developmental  Disabilities  Monitoring  Network,  about  1  in  68  children  is  being  diagnosed  with  ASD.  

 

• Lifetime  care  can  cost  $3.2  million.    

• 90%  of  adults  with  autism  are  unemployed  or  under  employed.    

• Each  year,  50,000  children  with  autism  in  the  U.S.  will  turn  eighteen  and  require  adult  services  if  they  are  not  employed.    

 

What  people  are  saying  about  their  experiences  working  with    Exceptional  Minds  Studio:  

 “When  I  toured  the  EM  School/Studio,  I  realized  what  a  wealth  of  untapped  potential  existed  in  this  extraordinary  group  of  young  adults.”    

                Victoria  Alonso,  EVP  of  Physical  Production,  Marvel  Studios,  “Avengers:  Age  of  Ultron”      “Not  only  incredible  work  and  a  pleasure,  but  every  shot  FINALLED  on  its  first  presentation!    Thanks  to  you  and  the  team  of  artists!”    

Diana  Giorgiutti,  VFX  Producer,  Marvel  Studios,  “Ant-­‐Man”      “We  now  use  the  EM  team  for  many  of  our  VFX  shots  when  we  need  a  dependable,  talented,  economical  team  to  help  us  complete  a  variety  of  projects  at  Stargate  Studios.  "    

Sam  Nicholson,  CEO  /  VFX  Supervisor,  Stargate  Studios    

 “A  small  but  vital  role  played  to  perfection  for  Tim  Burton.  If  only  we’d  heard  about  you  earlier  we’d’ve  given  you  a  lot  more  shots.  Thank  you  so  much!”    

Hal  Couzens,  VFX  Producer,  “Miss  Peregrine's  Home  for  Peculiar  Children”