* Exceptional Minds trains autistic adults for Hollywood

careers

* Graduates provide visual effects and animation work for

major studios

* Artists have worked on 'Gladiator II' and every Marvel

movie since 2019

By Lisa Richwine and Sarah Mills

LOS ANGELES, March 11 (Reuters) - A powerful scene in

the action epic "Gladiator II" had one big problem: a camera

crew was visible behind actor Paul Mescal as his character

prepared for a high-stakes battle. Jack Zimmerman, a visual

effects artist, erased the intrusion to help create the desired

movie magic.

Zimmerman works at Exceptional Minds, a nonprofit vocational

academy and visual effects studio for adults with autism. The

organization provides training to help autistic artists launch

careers in the competitive world of Hollywood.

"It feels like a dream," Zimmerman said of being a part of

"Gladiator II." "I've always wanted to work on a feature film

like this."

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social

interactions, behavior and how the brain processes the world. It

ranges in severity and can present challenges in the workplace.

While many people with autism successfully hold jobs, the U.S.

unemployment rate for autistic adults is estimated at around

40%, according to a study published in the National Library of

Medicine in 2017.

Exceptional Minds - the only full-time, post-secondary

program of its kind in the U.S. for artists on the autism

spectrum - was created to give high school graduates with autism

the skills they need to perform meaningful work.

"Autistic artists should be able to work in the field they

want to work in," said CEO Lauren DeVillier, a former Disney and

Discovery executive and the parent of a neurodivergent daughter.

"We are training to put these graduates to work. We want them

integrated into the studio system and working in the workplace

alongside everyone else."

WORKING ON METICULOUS TASKS

Many graduates of the three-year program gain experience in

the Exceptional Minds visual effects and animation studio, where

they work under the supervision of seasoned professionals for

clients including Walt Disney ( DIS ), Netflix ( NFLX ) and Sony ( SONY )

. Exceptional Minds artists have contributed to 19

Oscar-winning or nominated films including "Avengers: Endgame"

and "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," plus dozens of TV shows such as

"Game of Thrones." They have worked on every Marvel movie since

2015.

Alumni also have been hired at Marvel, the Cartoon Network,

Nickelodeon and elsewhere.

Yudi Bennett, an assistant director and production manager on

films such as "Broadcast News" and "Kramer vs. Kramer,"

co-founded Exceptional Minds 15 years ago. She and other

entertainment-industry parents worried about what would happen

to their autistic children after high school, when many services

to help them adapt end.

Today, the organization trains about 250 autistic adults each

year through courses in visual effects and animation. A video

game arts curriculum is scheduled to begin in the fall.

Class sizes are kept small, and instructors are trained in how

to adjust timelines or otherwise accommodate the needs of

students with autism.

On a recent weekday at the Exceptional Minds offices and

classrooms, alumni sat in front of computers working on visual

effects while students in another room honed their drawing

skills.

Graduate Lily Yllescas discussed how she painted fall colors on

trees and removed wires from scenes in the new season of

"Bridgerton."

"When you see it, it will look so seamless. But really when

you're working on it, there's so many little things you have to

pay attention to," she said.

The meticulous tasks suit many people with autism, students

and alumni said.

"Depending on your level of it, you might be able to be more

precise," said student Deirdre Mills. "And sometimes you might

be able to catch details that others might not be able to see."

TEACHING SOCIAL SKILLS

Alongside technical skills, Exceptional Minds teaches how to

thrive socially at work, something that can be challenging for

people with autism.

"We do mock interviews (to) get us comfortable talking to

people, talking about our work, building our confidence," said

student Alex Abrusia. "I've grown a lot because of that."

Exceptional Minds handles the end credits for Marvel Studios

films. Jeff Willis, Marvel's director of credits and

administration, said the studio's work was "on par with anyone

else in town" and the artists tackled creative challenges well.

In the credits for "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," Marvel

wanted to have the number 828 expand to become 8/28/1917, the

birthday of comic book artist Jack Kirby. It was a small

detail that thrilled fans. "They just knocked it out of the

park," Willis said.

Co-founder Bennett said she was proud that Exceptional Minds had

changed the lives of young adults.

"The graduates have gone out and moved into their own

apartments. They've gotten driver's licenses, they've bought

cars," she said. "They've done things that were considered

impossible."