Solomon Sloan: “I wanted to create something that would instill hope"
Monterey High School senior Solomon Sloan is proving that creativity, hard work, and heart can take you far even before graduation.
A member of Monterey High’s Art, Media, and Performance (AMP) Academy, Solomon has spent all four years exploring his passion for animation and filmmaking. His journey recently reached new heights when his animated musical short film, “Wacky Thing Called Life,” earned a Student Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Northern California division. The film is now in contention for a national award.
“Monterey High has been such a wonderful place with so many opportunities,” Solomon shared. “Being part of the AMP Academy connected me with amazing artists and mentors who encouraged me to pursue what I love.”
The inspiration behind “Wacky Thing Called Life” began in 2022 with a simple idea; a cat and a frog learning to find peace in a chaotic world. Solomon wrote, composed, and animated the entire film himself, teaching himself to compose music along the way.
“I wanted to create something that would instill hope,” he said. “The story reminds us that even when the world feels overwhelming, it’s all part of this wacky thing called life.”
The film has since been showcased at multiple prestigious events, including the Carmel International Film Festival, the All American High School Film Festival in New York, and Pixar’s Story Xperiential program, where it won an award for Best Adult Story Reel.
Beyond his own achievements, Solomon is already finding ways to give back. This fall, he launched a Saturday Animation Workshop at Monterey High, open to both middle and high school students interested in learning the basics of animation.
“Ms. Tonkin, our digital arts teacher, encouraged me to use my skills to help others,” Solomon explained. “There are so many students who want to tell their stories through animation but don’t know where to start. The workshop gives them that opportunity.”
The workshop aligns with the AMP Academy’s mission to prepare students for creative careers, culminating each year with the AMP Film Festival, where students showcase their films to the community.
As for the future, Solomon hopes to attend UCLA to study film and animation, with dreams of one day opening his own studio and creating an animation school to provide access for young artists from all backgrounds.
“I want my films to connect with people and help them through difficult times,” Solomon said. “That’s the best part about storytelling, it brings people together.”
Keep an eye out for more updates on Solomon’s journey, the Monterey High Animation Workshop, and this year’s AMP Film Festival. You can also find Solomon’s work online at Sloan Presents on YouTube.
