ELK GROVE, Calif. – December 2, 2019 – The Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) is honored to recognize Sheldon High School’s K9 Studios’ Advanced Animation class for receiving the National Student Production Award for Best Animation from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science (NATAS) for its project titled “UFO.” Prior to winning the national accolade, this project was awarded a 2018-2019 Regional Student Television Production Awards for Excellence in the “Craft Categories – Animation/Graphics/Special Effects” tier.
Sheldon High School Animation Teacher, Shawn Sullivan, remarked, “I am very proud of the all-female student leadership team that worked on the class film “UFO.” In addition to presenting their film to industry professionals at DreamWorks Studios, these students were also invited to present their film to Walt Disney Animation’s animator Mark Henn, known for his animation of several Disney heroines. In fact, the organization, Women in Animation, have set a goal to have 50/50 representation of male and female by the year 2025 and because of the industry professionals and EGUSD’s support of Sheldon High School’s animation program, these young ladies are well on their way to help make the organization’s goal a reality.”
EGUSD Visual and Performing Arts Director, Sofia Fojas, lauded the awards and recognition saying, “The technical elements of these submissions is impressive and exhibit a level of professionalism. What is even more profound to me is the message that each of these projects deliver that make them even more award worthy on the regional and national levels. Congratulations to Franklin and Sheldon for representing our district on a national level!”
Franklin High School’s Digital and Media Arts program also received a regional Awards for Excellence for their project titled “Stuck” in the “Short Form – Fiction” category and also received a Certificate of Merit in the “Photographer” category for “Andreas Garcia – Cinematography Reel” submission. Sheldon High School’s “Mighty Makers” submission received a Certificate of Merit in the “Craft Categories – Animation/Graphics/Special Effects” tier.
In total, 14 high schools participated within the San Francisco / Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The regional chapter spans from Visalia north to the California/Oregon state border, east to Reno, Nevada and also includes Hawaii. The Chapter received 104 entries and awarded a new record of 20 Pillars for Excellence and 14 Certificates of Merits. The Foundation of NATAS announced the nominees for The 2019 National Student Production Awards during a November 1, 2019 awards presentation that was live-streamed.
Related Links:
> The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television
Arts & Sciences Announces the Recipients of the 2018-2019 Regional Student