Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/6179
January 2010 38 n n n n Education•Recruitment as the potential for a diminished experience through online and DVD-based training al- ways exists. e endless variables when teach- ing online—bandwidth problems, software requirements, and media installation—make the ideal of a consistent training experience for each student nearly impossible. at said, we are expanding our offerings to online training and are testing different solutions to mitigate as many of these variables as possible. But if a student can come into a classroom and devote the time to learn with a certified instructor, we can guarantee that the software is configured, that the media is online, and, most importantly, that the experience fits the student's skill level. Our classes are small enough and the situations controlled enough that, beyond the certified curriculum, we can accommodate a variation in skill level by of- fering individual attention as well as alternate and additional exercises. "DVD training and classrooms-in-a-book are completely different animals. For self-start- ers, it's great, but for students with attention- span issues (and I'm in that category), it's a potential disaster." Opportunities: "MEWshop, backed with tech experts and working filmmakers, under- stands that the delivery model is changing and will continue to do so. Mobile content, 3D, and immersive environments are part of the creative deliverables, and we've adapted to ad- dress those with our training. We offer a six- week intensive course that covers Avid, Final Cut Pro, and After Effects. ere's a compo- nents of film theory class almost every day, and students can create a reel with the guidance of a prominent film editor through our art- ist-in-residence program (Suzy Elmiger came to work with our December group). ese students are clearly willing to make a serious commitment to the craft, and we've had amaz- ing success with our graduates finding work, and we now find employers coming back to us when they need new hires. "e Manhattan Edit WorkForce program, where editors' reels are created and distributed to a number of top postproduction facilities, is a connection service that allows students to meet with industry leaders." Threats: "With the barrier to entry so low today, everyone is a filmmaker (and an expert). is does not change the fact that the cream still rises, and my money is on those with bril- liant ideas backed up with the foundation of a developed skill set and strict discipline. Educa- tion, whether instructor-led or self-paced, will always be the base from which the success of tomorrow's creators will be built." Outlook for 2010: "Ten years ago, Mini DV and FCP put three chips into the hands of any filmmaker and an edit- ing system on the desk (and soon every lap) of any editor willing to invest a few thou- sand dollars in their craft. In 10 short years, we see HD cameras for a fraction of the price, and a culture com- mitted to expressing itself through visual media. at expression requires the organization, distillation, and the technical artisanship of editing. As long as people shoot, there will be the need to cut, and providing training that keeps pace with this evolution has always been the goal of MEWshop. I look forward to everything that 2010 and the next 10 years will bring to the industry and culture of visual storytelling." Chris Maynard Owner/Operator CMIVFX Princeton, New Jersey www.cmivfx.com Offering HD Training on Demand (HD- TOD), whereby customers can log in from anywhere in the world to access training vid- eos. Among the programs that CMIVFX cov- ers include those pertaining to offerings from Autodesk, Avid, Apple, Adobe, Eyeon, Maxon, Apple (Nuke), Side Effects Software, and Pixo- logic (Zbrush). Strengths: "Education is always going to be there. Its stability draws those individu- als who need the consistency of job security. e visual effects and computer graphics in- dustries are still on an incline, and education needs, whether free or commercial, still need to be satisfied at all levels of complexity. e key to success is making a better product than everyone else. In this industry, it can be quite difficult to stand above all the rest. Our cli- entele are acute individuals with a keen eye, which helps keep the quality of our materials extremely high. Ninety-three percent of our customers return to purchase from us again." Weaknesses: "One weakness in the VFX educational vertical market involves organiza- tions trying to make a quick dollar. Unquali- fied trainers flooding the market with random material can dilute the ability to turn a profit, and they often terminate their efforts, which can hurt others. Training is also subject to theft and the cross-pollination of training companies. One company may take learn- ing materials from another and prosper from it, thus propagating a never-ending chain of dilution. "Another weakness is user opposition to new instructional products for new markets. We may literally get cursed for trying to help users in their area of expertise. But by the time our second training video is complete for any vertical market, the thank-you letters start coming in from the very same people who led the opposition." Opportunities: "One opportunity is teaching jobs. We offer jobs to anyone who shows an interest in training and has the tech- nical merit to deliver the highest quality to our customers. Some of the greatest artists in the world can make great pictures, but they can- not teach to save their lives. is opens up a new vertical market for highly technical peo- ple with great communication skills. We can prosper from talent around the entire globe and generate more revenue." Threats: "Laziness. is is hard work, and our biggest threat is laziness. If you cannot work 80 hours a week, then you might want to try something different. Traditional threats exist as well, such as intellectual property theft, piracy, global economic issues, political views abroad, and, of course, the increase of compe- tition. e only defense is a good offense." Outlook for 2010: "Our formerly scat- tered global user base is now robust and still growing. Our projections for the next year have doubled from two years ago. e ex- pansion into new vertical markets, and the increase in labor times, has added to our pro- jections. Our inventiveness keeps competitors at bay by us creating innovative, high-quality learning materials. It may be hard work, but it ensures that any mistakes we make are only our fault, and this makes fixing mistakes much easier. While this doesn't always translate to sales directly and continuously, it does assure us a solid position in the market." n Ken McGorry is a consulting editor to Post magazine, CGW's sister publication. He can be reached at mcgorry@ optonline.net. CMIVFX has witnessed an increased growth in its online visual effects training programs.