Doubting the Viability of Vocational Arts Education? Don't.

One of the hardest and most frustrating things about being at a vocational college -- any vocational college -- is combating the stigma that students at these institutions are not cut out for anyplace else. And, as anyone who has ever attended art school is intimately aware, saying that our particular vocational college is for artists tends to ellicit an even more skeptical reaction from the non-believers. (Or, as I like to call them, the "pre-converts.")

From the very beginning of my time here (I've been at Flashpoint Academy for a little over 7 months now) it was evident that this was not the case with our students. Intelligent, well-spoken, creative, and extremely driven, the picture of your "average" Flashpoint student is anything but average.

I've seen them do amazing things. They've made festival-winning movies, produced music videos for national acts, developed video games that have impressed even your most prestigious game development companies, and created animations for real Hollywood features. A far cry from those at Le Institut de Refrigeration Repair, Flashpoint students constantly raise the bar not just for themselves and their classmates but for vocational education as a whole. It’s a truly remarkable thing to be a part of.

Recently, more than ever, I’ve been blown away by the work ethic and sheer talent I’ve witnessed around me. It occurred to me that even I, one of the foremost proponents of Flashpoint’s educational model, was not fully aware of the gifts our students have. Want to be impressed? Read first-year student Emily Greenquist’s winning entry into the Game Career Guide Game Design Challenge, or fall into second year student Pete Stilwell’s short story, “Embers.” While you’re at it, check out the amazing review of film alum Michael Noens’ latest feature film, Coasting. I dare you to find a more concentrated crop of talented young minds anywhere – 4 year colleges, I’m talking to you.

In short, the students at Flashpoint are proving that vocational and art education isn’t just for those who can’t make it anywhere else. It’s for those who wouldn’t waste their time doing anything but the things that move them. To me, although few paths are less traveled in traditional education, there is no more proven formula for lifelong happiness and success. And if this isn't how we should measure the value of education, then I don't know what is.

Big week at Flashpoint

<-- Click to view photos in Flickr.

This week at Flashpoint has been huge. Apart from students wrapping up the semester and making sure all of their final projects and resumes are in order, some of them have had some other mighty big fish to fry.

On Thursday, Flashpoint Academy welcomed Matt Walker's MDR (Most Dangerous Race) for the rock show of a lifetime at the brand new FPA studio at CBS 2 Chicago. First year (yes, first year) students in all disciplines had a hand in the production, filming, and recording of the concert, and it was without a doubt the coolest thing I have seen since I've been working there.

NBC 5 stopped by to do a piece before the event. You can watch it here:

Flashpoint Students Get a Taste of the Big Time

The press is great, and once the DVD of the show is released that's going to be awesome too, but let me tell you: there is no substitute for having been there. Our students were the utmost professionals. The sound was great, the lights were exciting, the stage was visually interesting. Every detail, right down to the student animations running during the performance, was perfectly choreographed to deliver the most killer concert I've been to in recent memory.

Of course I can't give Flashpoint all the credit. The MDR was out of control good. If you haven't heard of them you've got to check them out. Matt Walker is a staple of the Chicago scene and has toured with basically every band you've ever heard of. Most recently he's been touring with Morrissey (you know, that guy from The Smiths). Anyway, you can hear a bunch of the band's music here, on their MySpace page.

The MDR guys were so cool, too. I've always heard Walker is a very classy guy, and the whole band was very approachable. I got a chance to thank JT McCluskey (singer) after the show. He was so humble and unpretentious that it made me wonder why I ever gave up my dream of being a music journalist. If everyone in Chicago music were as cool of him, maybe I wouldn't have.

Even Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, a great supporter and enthusiast of local music, came by to watch the set. As someone who grew up worshiping Billy, I can't imagine the thrill these students must have gotten to have him there. He was there to admire their work! Unbelievable. Where else but Flashpoint?

In any event, last night was a truly magical experience. I can't wait to share more info about the DVD release when I get it. In the meantime, please take a look at the photos from last night that we posted on Flickr, and check out our time lapse videos of yesterday's production below.

To me, this project is absolute proof that Flashpoint Academy is THE place to go for an education in recording arts, film, animation, and game development. When my cousins are old enough I am dragging each and every one of them here for a tour. I would have kids just so they could go here. It's amazing.

Plug time:

For more information on Flashpoint Academy, please click here. And don't forget about our High School Institute! There's still time to sign up!

Vimeo

For those of you who haven't see it yet, check out Flashpoint Academy's page on Vimeo. Vimeo offers a really cool product. See below for an example of their really easy media widgets. This took about 15 seconds to create.