Miami Dade College’s MAGIC program is working with industry professionals on a Pixar Co-op project, allowing students to contribute to “The Other Side”— an animated short film about a man on a train to the afterlife, unable to accept his greatest regret.
Under the leadership of Professor Sandra Andrade, MAGIC students have taken on key roles in production, designing assets, crafting backgrounds, and collaborating with industry professionals in a real-world studio pipeline. This partnership, which also includes students from FIU and talent from across the country, provides an unparalleled learning experience and bridges the gap between academia and the animation industry.
This project represents more than just an academic exercise—it’s a career-defining opportunity for students. “This is the first time I can say I’m working on something that feels like a huge project,” said Evan James Bettencourt, reflecting on the scale of the experience.
During an interview, the film’s director, Erik Phillip, emphasized the students’ impact on the project: “One of the dopest parts of this project is working with the students. They bring this fresh energy, this hunger to learn, and they’re knocking it out at a high level. This project wouldn’t exist without them.”
As the production moves forward, MAGIC students continue to gain hands-on industry experience, demonstrating the strength of MDC’s animation program and the potential of its emerging talent.
Meet Erik Phillip, the Writer & Director of The Other Side.
Erik is an educator, writer, and filmmaker from Oakland, CA. He was a Chancellor’s Public Fellow at UC Berkeley where he received the American Cultures Award for his short film, “The Bay’s Team.” He then went on to work as a producer on the short film “Moody Suzy” (2020) which premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Diversity Showcase, as well as associate producer on the 2022 Art With Impact showcased film “Sunset Special.” He is repped by Ari Lubet at 3 Arts Entertainment in Los Angeles.
Art by @ruedystacher.art
To learn more about the MAGIC Program at Miami Dade College, contact (305) 237-3560 or visit magic.mdc.edu.
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