The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Youth Institute had the opportunity to visit Nickelodeon Animation Studios thanks to a collaboration with Nick Community Efforts/”NiCE.” The visit allowed our Youth Institute sites from Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA, Mid Valley Family YMCA and Torrance-South Bay YMCA to partake in what students have lovingly dubbed, “The Best Field Trip Ever!”
The Best Field Trip Ever program was a half-day immersive program that offered students a behind-the-scenes VIP studio tour, a creativity workshop, and lunch in the Niceklodeon courtyard. The studio tour was a real treat for our teens. Students visited the spaces where creatives get to animate some of their favorite shows – which they found awe-inspiring. Continuing the tour, the Youth Institute stopped into the Nick animation archives and had a chance to see old sketches and storyboards while learning the history of Nickelodeon. It was nothing short of special.
To cap off a wonderful day, the Nickelodeon team hosted a creative workshop that our Youth Institute got to participate in involving professional storyboard artists that gave them key insights on the animation process. Our youth also had the opportunity to meet Boyle Heights native Miguel Puga, Director/Co-Executive Producer on The Casagrandes, and Miguel Gonzalez, Art Director on The Casagrandes for a Q&A session.
A huge thank you to NiCE and their team for making this happen for our teens!
