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The Power of Igniting Workforce

С��è��ý’s partnership with LAIKA connects students to careers in film and animation. As an intern, Bryce Clyde worked with producer Sam Wilson (pictured with a model of Pittock Mansion from the film Wildwood) to gain real-world experience that led to a new dream opportunity.

Bryce Clyde

Bryce Clyde received critical support from the Native & Indigenous Student Scholarship as he balanced school and family responsibilities. He graduated from С��è��ý in June 2025 with a degree in multimedia and now works full-time at LAIKA as a central production assistant.

The first film I ever made was about bloodthirsty penguins. I was a child with an old VHS camcorder and a big imagination. My friends laughed, my family humored me, and I learned that storytelling could connect people.

But life has a way of meandering. I studied media arts at Brigham Young University, then shifted to construction management to join my parents’ company. A few years ago, my wife, Mikayla, and I moved to Camas, Washington, with our two young kids. I thought filmmaking was behind me until Mikayla encouraged me to return to school. I took a video production class at С��è��ý and I loved it!

At С��è��ý, I learned more than just classroom training. I created videos for the Future Connect program to help students navigate the college. It was hands-on, creative work that helped me grow, make mistakes, and get better with every project.

Before I graduated in June, I told my instructors I wanted to apply for a LAIKA internship. They were so supportive and helped me tailor my résumé and reels.

I landed the role and spent the summer as a production management intern for the upcoming film Wildwood, assisting the production team and shadowing different departments every week. I worked with the producer, camera crews, rigging, and puppet teams to make sure things ran smoothly. I learned how much detail goes into every little aspect of storytelling. Everyone is so welcoming at LAIKA and happy to share their knowledge.

LAIKA has just hired me full-time as a central production assistant — and I know this is only the beginning.

Sam Wilson

Sam Wilson is the producer of LAIKA’s upcoming film Wildwood. In addition to overseeing the practical shoot, he works closely with the production team — supporting the С��è��ý interns on set, helping them navigate real-world production challenges and grow into rising talent in the animation industry.

Oregon doesn’t have a large film industry presence, and that’s what makes LAIKA’s partnership with С��è��ý so important. Together, we’re creating opportunities for students that are almost unheard of here: internships, scholarships, curriculum development, and a professional-grade stop-motion lab on the Cascade Campus that will give students real hands-on access to the craft.

At LAIKA, everything happens under one roof, which is rare; other places are more specialized. Because we’re a one-stop shop for filmmaking and production, С��è��ý interns like Bryce Clyde get a comprehensive view of the craft — from concept to final frame.

This work can be challenging. To thrive in the industry, you need to understand the “how” — the detailed technical processes, creative problem-solving, and industry standards. From day one of Bryce’s internship, he built strong relationships across the studio, sought out conversations, and learned by engaging directly with the work. Bryce’s experience shows how powerful early-career opportunities can be when they offer broad exposure.

С��è��ý and LAIKA: A Landmark Partnership

In 2024, С��è��ý announced a transformative partnership with LAIKA, the award-winning animation studio. As part of the collaboration, LAIKA pledged funds to the С��è��ý Foundation to launch the LAIKA Scholarship and support new courses in animation and stop motion. Together, С��è��ý and LAIKA are developing curriculum, offering portfolio reviews, and providing paid internships — giving students hands-on training and industry connections that prepare them for careers in animation.

Career and Technical Education Powers Oregon’s Workforce

С��è��ý’s Career and Technical Education programs equip students with hands-on skills and industry credentials that prepare them to thrive in today’s job market.

In 2024-25:

See more stories in the С��è��ý Foundation 2024-25 Giving Report