Digital animation graduate from CNA works on popular TV show Supernatural

by Carol Hopkins

Kayla Lasaga was excited about the team's win. - Contributed photo

It was business as usual at the office in Vancouver on January 12, the day after Supernatural won two People’s Choice awards.

Kayla Lasaga, a Stephenville native, is employed as a production assistant on the popular television show. She is also a graduate of CNA’s digital animation program at the Bay St. George campus. She was very excited about Supernatural‘s double win at the awards.

“It feels like a good accomplishment to know I’m part of such a strong team,” Lasaga said. “It’s just a good feeling overall to know you are working on something that is recognized around the world.”

The staff on the production team had work to do and there was no time for parties, but there was a surprise in store for them. Days after the award show, the employees were given an opportunity to handle the prizes.

A wardrobe was set up where the staff could dress up and a wall with the People’s Choice logo  displayed. Photographs were taken as if they had been at the show, and the staff got a chance to try out a little acting of their own - by pretending to be at the show.

“I was not expecting that at all,” said Lasaga. “It was such a nice gesture.”

Lasaga is hoping the television program is picked up for an eighth season. She said it would be amazing if that happened. She really enjoys her work on the program and has made good friends on the production team.

“It’s nice having a sense of being somewhere you belong because you spend  a minimum of 10 hours a day with these people so they kind of  become like family,” said Lasaga.

Back in Stephenville, her parents, Patty Colombe and Kevin Lasaga, are happy for their only child and bursting with pride.

Her mother describes Kayla as very hard-working and well-respected by her co-workers.

“She’s not one to toot her own horn,” Colombe said. “I do her bragging for her and she always says, ‘Oh, mom!’ ”

Lasaga has not had an easy time of it. She experienced many struggles throughout her school years. Colombe said her daughter has a mild form of dyslexia.

The reading disability made learning challenging. But the youngster also possessed  determination, perhaps due in part to her mother’s support and encouragement.

“She worked very hard in school,” Colombe said. “I always told her, ‘Genius is one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration’ – and you got the 99 per cent down pat.”

Lasaga persevered and particularly enjoyed art. In 2006, she won the Newfoundland and Labrador Art Council’s Excellence in Art award.

“When she went to do the digital animation, she was told it would be too much of a challenge for her, but she ended up with the president’s medal,” said Colombe.

Following graduation from the digital animation program, Lasaga went on to graduate from Vancouver Film School  in 2010.

She has been working ever since on a variety of popular television programs and big-name films such as Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Breaking Dawn, which is part of the Twilight series.

“I think there are people who want to do things, but they’re being told they don’t have the ability to do this, but it’s not true,” Colombe said.

“I always told her from the time she was very small, she was my magnum opus – my greatest work – she’s my masterpiece,” the proud parent said.