Ames Media Institute

A few summers ago, USA Today ran a great story featuring filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and his new approach to creating films. The basis of the story was that instead of “going Hollywood,” Rodriguez creates his art outside of Hollywood using powerful, flexible digital tools.

Instead of bowing to the Hollywood “studio system,” Rodriguez and filmmakers like him have pushed the experience out to the edges of their creativity. Great tools–digital video cameras, powerful editing software, and high bandwidth Internet–enable them to create anywhere in the world, any time.

Their only boundaries are their knowledge and their creativity.

In the Rodriguez story, we saw an incredible opportunity for emerging filmmakers. We figured, if one filmmaker can learn to use digital tools, then others can too. And we decided to create a “place,” a system to help new filmmakers learn to use digital tools to create great films. And, lately, great games, too.

Foundations
We set up the Ames Media Institute (AMI) to provide opportunities for aggressive and self-motivated students to learn to tell stories using film and entertainment software.

We decided to start with a free course, because it seems like the fairest way to let potential students know what film studies involve. The free filmmaking course is fairly simple–not overly burdened with detail, and not very media intensive–but it serves the purpose. It gives students the chance to see the breadth of film study, and to experience the process for themselves.

Frankly, a lot of students sign up for the free course, and never go any further. That is just fine with us, since we would rather have students learn on “our nickel” than pay tuition, only to find out that our DIY Method is not their style.

In a field as dynamic as digital media, we have come to the conclusion that “school” is not about taking courses, getting a “degree” (or certificate, or whatever), and then looking for a “job.”

“School” is a place to

• learn the basics
• find useful resources
• network with like-minded peers
• learn important new skills on-the-fly

Effective immediately, we are shaping a study program that we recommend to potential students who want to work in media and entertainment. It will consist of:

• our free filmmaking course, plus any additional courses we decide to offer
• links to other highly useful and proven study materials
• occasional seminars and mini-courses devoted to highly specific skills in areas that range from storytelling to highly technical and specialized camera, software and promotion techniques.
• forums, discussions, chats, and events designed to help emerging media developers connect
• a production company to assist emerging media developers with their projects

To be successful in this study program, you will have to be:

• self-driven. Your success depends completely on your level of commitment
• open minded. The “traditional” media career path takes too long and wastes too much of your precious talent. You must keep your mind open to new opportunities to create.
• opportunistic. The media and entertainment world is exploding all around us. Film, television, games, and tons of hybrid entertainment and information forms offer emerging media developers unprecedented opportunities. When a new opportunity emerges, you will move quickly to seize it.
• results-oriented. In the new age of media and entertainment, your ticket to success is your proven skill set. And the only way to “prove” your skill set is to create something. Then create something else. Then create again. Build your portfolio of great projects, and there will be a ready market for your skills. Your “resume” is your archive of fantastic work.

Explore. Join. Create. Your ideas can change the world.

Contact 411

Ames Media Institute
3780 Tampa Road, Suite 105
Oldsmar, FL 34677
info [at] amesmedia.org