'My mom was ecstatic,
she's still ecstatic,' B.C. animator says
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B.C.
animator Josh Samuels was one of the people who made the special
effects of 'Black Panther' come alive. (Josh Samuels/Marvel
Studios)
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When B.C.'s Josh Samuels was hired for a new job, he had no
idea he would be taking part in creating the world of Marvel's Black
Panther on the big screen.
"They couldn't tell me which movie I'd be going on to," he said.
"I only found out on my first day."
The Vancouver animator, originally from Haida Gwaii, became
part of one of the year's biggest films through Method Studios.
The video effects company was contracted to create the fictional
world of Wakanda where most of the movie takes place, as well as
the specialized suits worn by the title character and his main adversary
in their final battle.
Samuels was hired for his training as an animator whose knowledge
of light and composition could help make the effects of the film
look realistic from all angles.
And just as Method Studios couldn't tell him what movie he was
working on until his first day, Samuels couldn't tell anyone about
the project until the movie's first trailer came out.
"My mom was ecstatic," he said. "She's still ecstatic."
In fact, Samuels said many people from his home community on
Haida Gwaii are thrilled to see him take part in a movie that is
breaking
box office records and winning critical acclaim.
And as a member of the Haida Nation, he said he's proud to have
worked on a movie that is viewed as opening new avenues for people
of colour to take part in the entertainment industry.
By featuring a predominantly black cast while making millions,
the film has opened a conversation about the possibilities for even
more diversity on the big screen.
For his part, Samuels did some digging into Marvel's superhero
roster to see who he'd like to get a title role possibly
with his help.
"They do have Red Wolf, a Native American super hero," he said.
"That'd be amazing."
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To
celebrate his role in making the movie, Samuels created his
own Black Panther painting. (Josh Samuels)
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