By Maddie Stroin
Review Special Writer
Only a few years ago, Angela McBride was walking the halls of Lake Orion High School every day, dealing with the details of homework, practice, and club meetings.
But this week, her name will flash on the credits? screen under the Lighting Department when Disney’s newest animated film, Frozen, hits theaters on Wednesday, November 27th.
McBride graduated from Lake Orion High School in 2008. While in school she played tennis and participated in Art Club. Her schedule also reflected her interest in art. It included numerous art classes including AP Portfolio.
Her art was recognized both locally and nationally.
As a senior, McBride was offered an $80,000 scholarship to further her education at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. There she majored in Entertainment Arts. The summer before her senior year in college, she interned at Pixar Studios in California.
Right after graduation in 2012, McBride began working for an advertising company called Armstrong Light in Royal Oak. About a year ago, McBride sent in a demo reel with some of her best work to apply for a lighting position in the Talent Development Program at Disney. She was accepted into the program within a few months. She terminated her job in Royal Oak and moved to California. She spent 90 days in the program before she was promoted to an apprentice position.
Studios around the nation look for young talent in the metro-Detroit area.
‘Pixar and Disney look for interns from the College for Creative Studies,? McBride’s mother, Linda McBride said.
McBride has been hard at work in the lighting department for the film Frozen which tells the story of Anna who embarks on a comedic adventure with the rugged Kristoff in order to save the kingdom of Arendelle from a never-ending winter.
McBride was specifically brought onto the movie to work in the lighting department.
‘We place virtual lights in each scene to establish the time of day, mood, appeal, and clarity of each shot. A sad moment on a cloudy day is going to have a different lighting set-up than a dramatic scene that takes place during sunset,? Angela McBride said.
McBride plans to continue working at Disney Studios in California. She hopes to work on more animated films in the future.
While at work, McBride enjoys seeing all the aspects of the image come together. As a lighter, McBride handles nearly complete images so she gets to see the ‘artistry? that went into these images right before they are put into the final film.
‘Living in California and working at Disney Animation Studios has been incredible. I feel very lucky that I was able to work on Frozen with all the talented artists here,? she said.