Spring_2026_Orientation_2.pdf

Transcript

1. Philadelphia-based arts education non profit Empowering students to see a brighter future, one lens at a time. LensBright Initiative 2025-26
2. ABOUT LENSBRIGHT
3. ABOUT LENSBRIGHT
4. Film/Animation Mentors: Ejun Hong, Julian Rivera, Pace Ford, Joaquin Weeks, Ethan Richards, Molly Danisavich, Pavel Peev, Larry Sotingco Photography Mentors: Jack Roney, Raphael Swingley, Angela Wu, Casey Lin, Pace Ford. Spring 2026 Mentors LENSBRIGHT TEAM
5. LENSBRIGHT TEAM
6. PREVIOUS WORK
7. Previous projects include Footprints in the Sand (2025), a mixed-media (stop-motion puppet and 2D computer animation) created by a team of Penn students, six Sayre High School students, an orchestra, and university faculty. The film invites four lymphoma cancer patients from South Korea to share their stories. Our Sayre High School students participated in the film production as visual development artists. The project was sponsored and supported by ASIFA-Hollywood, SACHS Program, Netter Center, and the University of Pennsylvania. The film received three awards and seven official selections from international film festivals. 1) Award-Winning Animated Documentary Film, Footprints in the Sand (2025) Links: Trailer | Full Film | Production Video PREVIOUS WORK
8. 2) Photography Projects PREVIOUS WORK
9. PREVIOUS WORK Hosted five exhibitions and four sales over the past three years. 3) Exhibitions and Art Sales Hosted 70+ mentorship and workshop sessions and organized five meetings with industry professionals from Sony Pictures, Pixar, LAIKA, DreamWorks, and Marvel Studios. 4) Career Development: Photos of a series of guest speakers series with Will Conner (Visual Development Artist, Sony Pictures Animation), Ivan Moutinho (Editor, Marvel Studios), Demetrius Beckham (Operation Manager, Sony Pictures Entertainment), Savannah Steiner (Stop-Motion Animator, LAIKA), and Faryn Pearl (Animation Director, DreamWorks).
10. PROGRAM STRUCTURE & EXPECTATIONS 1) Professional Lens-Based Storytelling Projects through Weekly University- High School Peer Mentorship Program Program Structure What: Spring 2026 will center on producing a real-world professional lens-based projects in animation and photography through our weekly university-high school peer mentorship program Duration: January 20 - May (end of the university academic year) Location: William L. Sayre High School (5800 Walnut St) Deliverables by the end of the semester: Animation/Film Team: A short mixed-media animated film (stop-motion, 2D digital) Photography Team: A series of photography projects Weekly Session Flow: Different for each team; Will be discussed more later on Daily Session Flow: 3pm: Students get dismissed from the afterschool program announcement 3-4:30pm: Programming 4:45pm-5pm: Return to university city
11. Animation Section Training PROJECT-SPECIFIC TRAINING - ANIMATION Project: A short mixed-media animated film (stop-motion, 2D Digital, etc) Story: This is a story about a shy, introverted student at Sayre High School who loves art and animation but faces obstacles in pursuing his dreams. Every day, he retreats to a hidden basement he uses as his personal sanctuary. One day, he discovers a magical sketchbook that brings his drawings to life and opens a portal to a mystical realm known as the Art World. In this realm, he encounters extraordinary landscapes, imaginative characters, and incredible dreams—yet he also confronts a dark side of the world, shaped by the fears of Sayre High School students. The film ends with several art students at Sayre High School receiving an invitation to join a secret “Art Club” that the main character created. The journey of these young artists—working together to create art and animation while using their creativity to fight fear—has only just begun. Style Inspiration: Spider-Verse, Arcane, etc
12. Animation Section Training PROJECT-SPECIFIC TRAINING - ANIMATION Equipment: 1. One Deluxe Overhead Stop-Motion Animation Station: Operated with Canon EOS Rebel T7 / Sony A7III & Dragonframe (or equivalent) 2. 10+ Accessible Overhead Stop-Motion Animation Stations: Operated with phone & chromebook/laptop/ipad Developed by the Penn Animation as Research Lab (PARLab) and Professor Joshua Mosley
13. PROJECT-SPECIFIC TRAINING - PHOTOGRAPHY Photography Section Training Standard Issue DSLR Camera Kit: Canon EOS Rebel T7 EF 18-55mm Lens, EF 75-300mm Lens (2) Camera Batteries, Battery Charger (2) SanDisk 64GB SD Cards SD Card Reader * 500GB External Hard Drive Lens/Screen Cleaning Kit Project 1 - Album Cover: Duration: Jan 20 - Feb 19 th th Introductory project Focusing full photo workflow Project 2 - TBD: Duration: Feb 24 - Mar 26 th th Focusing on lighting & studio setup Allows for exploration through quantity Project 3 - Three Act Story: Duration: Apr 7 - May TBD th Final Project Single three act photo narrative ALBUM COVER Photography Project I January 20th - February 19th |2026 DESCRIPTION: Create an album cover that truly represents your vibe. You may use any photography-based method to realize your vision– it’s about exploring how you want to express yourself. Your cover must follow school guidelines (no signs, weapons, nudity, etc.). At the end of the project, we will print and assemble your completed album cover. Let’s get it!
14. PROJECT-SPECIFIC TRAINING - LENSBRIGHR ACADEMY LensBright Academy: Online platform for students to engage with programming. Hosts student portfolios, educational content, vocational opportunities and resources. Lessons: 10 “Levels” with each level containing up to 5 sub-units. Actively seeking lesson content contributors: $100 stipend per “Level”
15. Thank you!