A Slice of NiCE: Nickelodeon Community Efforts - October 2022
A Slice of NiCE is a bi-weekly update/preview into what Nickelodeon Animation & the Community Efforts (aka NiCE) team is up to around the globe.
Week Of October 10th
Let's Draw! w/ Lollipop Theater
Serial volunteer Joe Mandia, CG Animation Director on Kamp Koral, led a drawing session for kids in hospitals in nationwide. This week they all got into the Spooky Szn Spirit and adorned the screen with some jubilant jack-o-lanterns!
¡Vamos A Dibujar!
Daniela Rodriguez De La Pena, Storyboard Artist on Rugrats, was delighted to reprise her role in leading this month's ¡Vamos a Dibjuar! across Mexico. This month's theme was in honor of Girl's Day and eveyone got to draw Casagrandes' Ronnie Anne and Rugrats' Angelica.
Nick Mentorships: Series Development
Students from Burbank High School, Sisler High School, and USC Magnet pitched their stories to returning Mentors, Leslie Wishnevski (Development Manager), Revati Dhomse (Development Manager), Clarke Jacobs (Development Coordinator), and Olivia Kerrigan (Development Coordinator).
Lightbox Expo
Carson Smith of NiCE sat on a panel hosted by Wacom titled: Preparing the Next Generation of Artists for the Future of the Creative Arts, joined by Creative Career Industry leaders where they discussed the changes in education, the role of industry partners, and the importance of investing in the future.
Outreach Events also invited Team NiCE to partake in the Nickelodeon/Paramount Animation Booth to chat with individuals on the dynamics of culture and giving back through the studio.
Week Of October 17th
Let's Paint! w/ George Washington Elementary
This past Spring NiCE partnered up with the non-profit organization, Artfields Collective, on a mural that's going to be installed in Lake City, South Carolina. A part of the collaboration effort was giving kids from different parts of the country the opportunity to leave their mark on the mural. NiCE took 7 large canvases to George Washington Elementary in Burbank where three classrooms full of third graders got to imbue them with their creativity.
Let’s Draw! w/ Lollipop Theater Network
Returning artist Joann Chang, Storyboard Artist on Kamp Koral, hopped onto a call to draw with kids in hospitals across the country!
Nickelodeon Mentorships: Animated Shorts Kick-off!
Daniel Wineman, VP of Animation Development with Intergalactic Shorts 2.0 and Niki Lopez, Creator and Executive Producer of Santiago of the Seas, led a chat on the process behind developing shorts at Nickelodeon Animation. Some info included what it’s like to be on the executive end of pitches, their approach to creating shorts, and one evolves as a storyteller in that capacity.
L.A. Community Leaders Panel
Team NiCE hosted L.A. Community Leaders at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio for a panel all about signature efforts dedicated to our next generation through arts, media, entertainment efforts. The panel included: Moderator - Lisa Vazquez (CSR, The Walt Disney Company), Carson Smith (Community Outreach, Nickelodeon), Jennifer Lynch (CSR, Paramount Pictures), and Simone Price (Social Impact, Dolby Labs).
State of the City
NiCE partook in Burbank's “When A City Comes Together,” which consisted of the community convening to reflect on the dedicated work and progress of Burbank professionals over the past year, as well as to address the city’s future trajectory. Read more about it here!
Exceptional Minds Gala
Nickelodeon sponsored this year's Exceptional Minds Gala with Amy Wu (Sr. Dir. Studio Learning & Engagement), Amanda Allan Clark (Dir. Talent Development Programs), Camille Eden (VP Recruiting & Talent Development), and Team NiCE attending. Nickelodeon's internship program has a long history of partnering with EM which made it all the more exciting to see the alum achievements.
