About Exceptional Minds
Exceptional Minds is an American non-profit digital arts academy with attached animation and VFX studios. It is the first animation studio and digital arts school specifically designed for autistic adults, aiming to cultivate their talents and skills for employment in the entertainment industry.
Mission
To cultivate the talents and skills of artists on the autism spectrum to facilitate their employment, self-advocacy and sharing of stories.
Approach
Exceptional Minds is a non-profit academy and studio preparing young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in animation, visual effects, 3D gaming and other related fields in the entertainment industry.
What Sets Them Apart
Headquarters
14144 Ventura Blvd, Ste 100, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Featured Work
View YouTube Channel
VFX Demo Reel (August 2025)
Animation Studio Reel 2020 | Exceptional Minds
Animation Studio Demo Reel - Exceptional Minds
Animation Studio Reel 2018 | Exceptional Minds
Post-Production Capabilities
5 servicesVFX
Contemporary compositing services and end credits work for major motion pictures and episodic content, including compositing, paint work, de-aging, tracking, and rotoscoping.
Animation
Short form, script-to-screen 2D animation services and commercial work including storyboarding, character design, and 2D animation.
Titles
Professional titles services for film, television, and commercial projects.
Post-production
Professional post-production services for film, television, and commercial projects.
Rotoscoping
Professional rotoscoping services for film, television, and commercial projects.
Types of Work
Notable Clients & Projects
Industries Served
Awards & Recognition
2 awardsMarvels of Media Award
California Nonprofit of the Year
Firm Leadership
Lauren DeVillier
Chief Executive Officer
Lauren DeVillier is the new Chief Executive Officer at Exceptional Minds, officially stepping into the role in 2025 with over 20 years of executive leadership across media, technology, and digital.
David Siegel
Former CEO
David Siegel served as the CEO of Exceptional Minds, leading the growth of the organization until his departure in early 2025.
Sandra Park
Founder
Reviews & Ratings
5
Indeed (5 reviews)
News & Press
California Studio Helps Autistic Adults Channel Creativity Into Hollywood Careers
Exceptional Minds artists have contributed to 19 Oscar-winning or nominated films including Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
How California studio is helping autistic artists break into Hollywood
Visual effects studio Exceptional Minds in Los Angeles is preparing adults with autism for careers in Hollywood.
Exclusive: Exceptional Minds & Cartoon Network Studios Launch Original Shorts
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026, Exceptional Minds launched original shorts by artists on the autism spectrum in partnership with Cartoon Network Studios.
Exceptional Minds Welcomes New CEO Lauren DeVillier
Lauren DeVillier joined Exceptional Minds as the new Chief Executive Officer following the departure of former CEO David Siegel.
Office Locations
Headquarters
14144 Ventura Blvd, Ste 100, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Pricing Information
Custom quotes based on project scope
Competitive, profit-motive free bids for studio projects; computer labs available at a rate of $50 per two-hour session for students, with needs-based tuition assistance available.
Note: Pricing varies based on project scope, complexity, and timeline. Contact Exceptional Minds directly for a detailed quote tailored to your specific project requirements.