Exceptional Minds
It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism is required.
-Hans Asperger
That quote from Asperger came into my mind when I met up with the top standard work of an aptly named organisation called Exceptional Minds. For this California-based vocational school is a visual effects and animation studio that was founded solely for those on the autistic spectrum. And it has credits for striking visual effects and animation in films that include Birds of Prey, Black Panther, Star Wars, Avengers and Spider Man to name but a few,
Exceptional Minds is both a professional studio and an approved vendor for Disney, Fox, HBO, Marvel Studios, Netflix, Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros. All of these organisations have flung their doors wide open to welcome these exceptionally creative minds and their world-changing lives, disregarding what many might regard as the stigma of autism and harnessing its strengths.
People with autism think in special way. They start with careful consideration of details before moving on to general planning, in stark contrast to those of us who are not autistic and plan before moving on to consideration of details, which is not always careful. Autistic minds thus centre on a fundamentally creative superpower which they employ as they approach their environment with their bottom-up approach. This is totally unlike the activity of a non-autistic mind which has a top-down approach to thinking that draws heavily on prior learning and memories. I do so envy in others this ability to sit still and focus in on something intricately.
Imagine what wonderful things can be accomplished when someone is filling a space creatively by expressing this way of thinking? Well, we have a clear-cut example. Exceptional Minds is certainly doing that, and creating a bit of a stir with its approach in effortless and effectively bridging the gap between autism and employability. This ubiquitous studio serves a purpose far greater than features in the recognitions of fancy gold awards and names in the credits; they work with an autistic visual effects team, which is way ahead of any other production office, not just in their digital imagery but in their understanding and acceptance to brings together a team on the autistic spectrum to deliver their final and polished piece to the world of cinema. They create striking visual effects and animation roles for Marvel, Warner Bros and Cartoon Network, to name but a few.
And so it is that most residents of Sherman Oaks in California are probably blissfully unaware that they have fellow residents walking in their midst who are employed by top studios as highly successful students and graduates. The school isn’t just a school but is also an outstanding opportunity for those on the autistic spectrum, who live in a world which seems to treat autism as a bit of a taboo subject. In contrast, this school is a place where teachers aren’t just teachers who teach students; they are also active in supporting students to fulfill their full potential. So they don’t just wave them farewell at graduation, but walk on with them as they become employed, in which forward step many students have been so successful.
Victoria Alonso of Marvel Studios wrote of a visit to the School: “When I toured the Exceptional Minds School/Studio, I realised what a wealth of untapped potential existed in this extraordinary group of young adults.” As a film fanatic myself, and with a foot in the production side of this industry, I know how easy it is for audience members to take a film for granted. Sometimes the main thinking we do before watching a film at the cinema is deciding which ice cream we want or if we’re going to mix our Tango Ice Blast this time or not. Our choice of film is often cursory, or at least speedy and ill-informed. Just think that, even as we take our seats and let the opening scenes draw us in, already we’ll have seen the result of hours of work put into just one opening sequence and that perhaps by an Exceptional Mind student. Film-making can be a little rough around the edges, things that shouldn’t be there can sneak into shots; from experience, telephone wires and masts are often the culprits! It will have taken the focus and dedication of an Exceptional Mind student or graduate hours spent in deleting like whips of hair from the onscreen actors, or removing intrusive objects like boom mics or Margot Robbie stunt wires in Birds of Prey. These are the individuals which give films this sense of reality because spoiler alert, Superheroes can’t actually fly, no offence Ironman!
We shouldn’t think of autism a disability, it’s another, a different and an exceptional ability. This non-profit making academy provides the industry with individuals on the autism spectrum who are well equipped to provide the technical and behavioural skills required for employment in the entertainment fields of animation and post -production visual effects. In light of what is happening around the World today, with Coronavirus having an effect on all finances - and with unemployment for many looming in the balance, I take this opportunity to wish all those at Exceptional Minds the very best as they continue their work via remote learning. I understand that change can cause anxiety with autism, and that this anxiety must be felt currently due to this sudden transition into e-learning which could be a frightening concept. I would like to wish both staff and students working on the films of our tomorrows, all the very best as they adapt and continue to achieve greatness in such a stressful and difficult time.
