Ray will also be honored by the L.A. Board of Supervisors at noon on May 23 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center Grand Hall.
Cartoon Network Studios screens film for students
Lillian Hughes, 10, her family and her fourth- and fifth-grade classmates at Stevenson Elementary saw the world premiere of the animated short, “Mr. Pike”, written and directed by Lillian, in the auditorium during open house on May 1.
Cartoon Network Studios produced the piece, as part of its Young Writers Program. Representing the studio at the premiere was Zita Lefebvre.
It was an exciting moment for Lillian.
“When the film started, my heart was beating real fast,” Lillian said.
The project began in the fall as a creative writing initiative for fourth- and fifth-graders and is part of 10-year partnership between the animation company and the school. Students were asked to write an imaginative narrative story and include illustrations of the characters, said Principal Debbie Ginnetti.
The teachers and principal judged the stories and narrowed the field to five, and then to one. Lillian's was deemed the top piece, earning her the chance to have the story turned into a two-minute animated film.
She worked with Cartoon Network illustrator Dave Smith to draw the story board and directed her family in voicing the characters. Her father supplied the voice of Mr. Pike, the substitute teacher. And mother Jennifer spoke the lines for Mrs. Ash and Chess Wood.
“It is just the best to see any kid's project get this kind of recognition, but to see your kid honored like this, that's the highlight,” Jennifer Hughes said.
Lillian's sister Phoebe, 12, voiced Bianca, the narrator, and Rotamere, the hero.
“It was weird to have my voice coming out of someone else,” Phoebe said.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.
