The School of Visual Arts (SVA) vibrated with creative energy on April 10, 2026, as it hosted a special screening of the animated feature "GOAT." Held at the SVA Theatre, the event offered students, faculty, and the public a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship required to bring this high-stakes sports animation to life.
A Full Day of Craft and Insight
The day began with an intimate film shoot in the SVA BFA Animation lounge, where Adam Rosette (BFA 2007 Animation) shared his journey as co-director of “GOAT,” a 3D animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation. The film is an original action-comedy set in an all-animal world. The story follows Will, a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the pros and play roarball—a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest and fiercest animals in the world. While his new teammates are not thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that “smalls can ball!”
During the shoot, Rosette shared a reflection on maintaining artistic authenticity: “Keep remembering the spark of inspiration that made you want to become an artist in the first place, and never lose sight of it. We are lucky to make things that people enjoy, but it’s important not to lose the enjoyment for ourselves.” He also shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about developing Modo’s voice, inspired by his Hungarian roots through his grandfather, and by his own personality when he was younger. While this moment was not captured on film, he later referenced it during the Q&A, noting that he provided the voice for Modo—a green-scaled, fire-breathing Komodo dragon with a punk fashion style—for the film’s trailers.
Screening and Q&A - Voices from the Event
The highlight of the day took place at the SVA Theatre, where students, faculty, and animation enthusiasts filled the venue for a full screening of "GOAT." The audience laughed, cheered, and roared together during standout moments, such as like "Roots Run Deep."Jimmy Calhoun, chair of BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects, noted, "This was one of the loudest and most energetic audiences I have been a part of in a long, long time. The laughter was contagious, and the emotional connection to the characters was a shared group experience." That energy carried into the Q&A, creating a warm and enthusiastic welcome as Rosette took the stage alongside two student moderators, who both shared their experiences and takeaways:
Jacob Lawrence (BFA 2028 Animation)
“Moderating for the first time was really nerve-racking, but being able to stand next to Adam felt like an honor. Adam is such a sweet and encouraging soul. Ever since I met him at Sony during the SVA in LA program, the opportunity of reconnecting with him felt so surreal. Adam was certainly surprised by the collective fan art showing how much people love Adam’s works. [Being the one in charge of the fanart collection] I’m pleased that he was so joyous and grateful about receiving those gifts.”
Marilyn Mangan (BFA 2026 Animation).
“It was an incredibly exciting and inspiring experience meeting Adam and hearing about his transition from a 2D animator to the co-director of a 3D feature film. It gave me a lot of hope as a soon-to-be graduate. I found that the messages in "GOAT" about working hard and never giving up on your dreams resonated with me a lot, especially during a time when I was wrapping up production on my thesis film. Both Adam's journey and the film served as a great reminder to me that anything is possible if you put in the work to achieve it. “GOAT" and the Q&A with Adam have ultimately left me even more excited to jump into my career and see where it takes me!”
Looking Forward
Adam Rosette shared his takeaway: “Coming back to SVA with a film I directed was honestly pretty surreal. As an alumnus, it meant a lot to share that work with the same community that helped shape me. Being around the students again - seeing their curiosity, passion, and willingness to push themselves - really brought me back to why I fell in love with this craft. It’s rare to be in an environment that feels both so welcoming and creatively electric at the same time, and SVA really has that. I left feeling incredibly grateful and inspired.”
For many students in attendance, the event offered more than a behind-the-scenes look at a feature film. It created a meaningful connection between their own creative ambitions and the professional world they are preparing to enter. As Adam Rosette shared his journey, the message was clear that success in animation is built not only on skill but also on passion, resilience, and a willingness to grow. He also shared a personal and impactful note with the SVA community. Drawing from his own lived experience with disability, he helped lead the collaboration with the first Disability Loop Group, bringing together talented actors to voice the crowd scenes in “GOAT”.
The day concluded with a strong sense of momentum and possibility, reminding everyone in the room that the next generation of storytellers is already on its way.
