Yellowbrick Highlights Student Entrepreneurs for Hispanic Heritage Month

Yellowbrick on September 22, 2020

The Yellowbrick student community is a great place to find budding talent. Our diverse community is a solid blend of students looking to find their place in a career that they love and others who are looking to grow their skillset. Yellowbrick programs are designed to give students the foundation they need to start building towards a career they are passionate about.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting the websites and businesses of our Latinx student community. We’ve created a space to highlight some of the businesses that were founded by students in our courses. The landing page for these brands can be found here and when you click on the select squares, you can visit the pages and engage in their services. These businesses offer everything from t-shirts to hoodies to recording studios to makeup. This landing page was created to amplify the Hispanic/Lainx businesses and services in our Yellowbrick community.
Please take the time to visit the page and take a look at what some of these brands have to offer. There is also a main student businesses page and we will be adding to that list as the year progresses. Be sure to check back in from time to time.

“So I Could…” | Noelle Nelson Guerrero

Yellowbrick on September 11, 2020

Name: Noelle Nelson Guerrero
Course: Fundamentals of Global Sports Management

I enrolled in the Fundamentals of Global Sports Management course so I could..
stay on top of my game and goals towards becoming a knowledgeable Sports Industry Professional.

 

How did the course prepare you for working in the sports industry?
I have acquired great knowledge and feel much more confident in pursuing work and career in sports.

 

How did the partnership with NYU for Fundamentals of Global Sports Management affect your choice to take the program?
The fact that it was offered by NYU was a definite reason for choosing this program because of the access to the faculty, the reputation, and the well established Sports programs it represents. I was happy to be able to attend NYU courses through a well programmed platform residing in another state of California.

 

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?
The program was impressive and informative. I especially appreciate how up to date and current the material is and the visual media incorporated was done very well. I am very appreciative that I was able to enroll in this program with the offer to apply for a partial scholarship to help with the costs. I learned a lot about the history and future of sports and was challenged with the course questions and marketing project which I found to be a great way to apply the material. It was the right amount of required assignments and I didn’t feel too overwhelmed. I’ve acquired and retained good useful information. I like that you can study at your own pace and time to complete the certificate. Such a Great! program for anyone interested in the Sports Industry.

 

What assignment, course, and/or instructor sticks out in your mind or taught you something valuable?
Vince Gennaro lectures and insight about Blockchain in sports. I appreciated the history timeline presentation and courses Media Marketing, Data Analytics and Global Ecosystem both instructors were awesome.

 

What would you say to a friend about Fundamentals of Global Sports Management?
If you are interested in learning about all aspects of the sports industry presented in a relevant, useful well developed presentation of curriculum and delivered by sports industry veterans, true sports professionals and educators this is the course to take, you will enjoy the content and won’t regret the decision to enroll. You will obtain a well earned NYU Certificate to add to your education accomplishments.

“So I Could…” | Miguel Feliz

Yellowbrick on September 11, 2020

Sneaker Essentials graduate Miguel Feliz gives his take on the course in his Testimonial video featured above. Press play to watch what he had to say!

Name: Miguel Feliz
Course: Sneaker Essentials
IG Handle: @spidermigz

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials so I could..
continue to learn more about the industry I plan to pursue a profession in, regardless of whether my plan is successful or not.

Where are you working now?
Right now, I am a Seasonal Athlete at the Nike House of Innovation on 5th Avenue. Previously I had an unpaid internship at Staple Pigeon.

How did the course prepare you for working in the sneaker industry?
There wasn’t any rock that was left unturned really. The course covered everything that needed to be covered in the process of coming out with product, at least to my understanding. I learned about crucial aspects when it comes to the actual manufacturing of a sneaker, the history of footwear, and how to market a product alike. I came into the course knowing I love sneakers, but now because of the course,I now know that I love to tell stories and I want to use sneakers as the medium in which I tell those stories from a marketing perspective.

What assignment, course, and/or instructor sticks out in your mind or taught you something valuable?
The sneaker design project was really fascinating and nerve racking at first. I was afraid to tackle the challenge at first but eventually I came up with a great story to tell which was reflected on the design. Throughout the course of completing the assignment, I learned how to use Adobe Illustrator and found a new hobby in making sneaker templates to create custom colorways in my free time.

How did the partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology for Sneaker Essentials affect your choice to take the program?
It played a big role. I actually wanted to attend FIT so to be involved with the school and sneakers alike is a good look for me.

Has your experience in Sneaker Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?
It played a role in my interview process for Nike. It helped bolster my resume and show that I was really serious about getting involved in the industry one way or another.

What would you say to a friend or fellow sneakerhead about Sneaker Essentials?
If you really love sneakers as much as you say you do or want to learn something new, this course is for you. No question about it.

Lights, Camera, Action! NYU Tisch, IndieWire, Rolling Stone x Yellowbrick Launch TV and Film Industry Essentials

Yellowbrick on August 20, 2020

Yellowbrick, in collaboration with New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and Penske Media Corporation’s IndieWire and Rolling Stone, today announced the launch of Film and TV Industry Essentials, an online program that will cover multiple, interlacing roles and careers within the $100 billion Film & Television industry.

Program contributors represent a wide array of talent, specialties, and leadership from across the film and television community. Participants include Judd Apatow,  film director, producer, screenwriter, and founder of Apatow Productions; and Academy Award-winning director and NYU Tisch alumnus Ang Lee. Joining these two directing giants are Emmy-nominated Directors Sam Pollard (also with NYU Tisch) and Alfonso Gomez-Rejon; television writer/producers Yahlin Chen (The Handmaid’s Tale), Kevin Bray (Black-ish, Insecure); Rob Dubbin, former Late Show and Colbert Report writer and co-founder (with Stephen Colbert) of the remote script-writing platform, Scripto; NYU Tisch faculty David Irving, Caran Hartsfield, Alrick Brown, Harry Winer, Janet Grillo, Thomas Mangan; and many others. 

The program will help aspiring directors, producers, writers, and entertainment executives better understand their own aptitudes, demonstrate knowledge, and explore career paths. Upon finishing the program, learners will receive a completion certificate from NYU Tisch. 

“Film has the power to critique, inspire, interpret, and bring to life a range of critical perspectives. At NYU Tisch, we mentor young artists in the traditions and innovations of the rapidly-shifting media landscape; equipping them with the tools to hone their craft in visual storytelling, discover their individual voices, and develop conviction in the unique stories they have to tell,” said Dean Allyson Green, NYU Tisch School of the Arts. “This program will open up the knowledge and mentorship—provided by our outstanding faculty and alumni—that NYU Tisch is renowned for, in order to help aspiring filmmakers gain insight into the evolving film and television industry and discover how they can apply their unique talents.” 

Because of the course’s accessibility and Yellowbrick’s proven track record of attracting learners from diverse backgrounds, Film and TV Industry Essentials will likely draw in talent that may not have otherwise found routes into the industry.

“Given the complexity of this industry, even the most ardent Film and Television fans aren’t always aware of career paths they might be great for, and if they lack certain resources or connections they might never find out,” said Rob Kingyens, President and CEO of Yellowbrick. “We’re delighted to work with NYU Tisch School of the Arts – one of the world’s leading schools in this area – and Rolling Stone and IndieWire – leading media brands – to educate ambitious learners on what this industry has to offer them.”

The course will take learners through the rich histories of both Film and Television; exploring theories, genres, criticism, and cultural influences and impacts. From there, the program modules will delve into the development of productions – scripting, storyboarding, casting, visual story structure, and more – and then into all the vital elements of preproduction, production, and postproduction. 

Students will learn the roles and mechanics behind creative aspects like editing, sound, scoring, and visual effects; as well as business concepts such as film finance, studio management, talent representation, clearance and copyright, and more. Finally, learners will explore the intricate processes that put finished entertainment products in front of the public; examining film and television marketing, sales, publicity, alternative distribution, streaming, and more. 

“We’re excited to bring Rolling Stone’s dedication and expertise in entertainment to NYU in partnership with Yellowbrick and IndieWire with this online course,” said Gus Wenner, President and COO of Rolling Stone. “Giving our readers the opportunity to gain insight into the career fields they’re passionate about is another way Rolling Stone is providing fans with more of what they love.”

“IndieWire is proud to work with Yellowbrick, Rolling Stone, and NYU on this exciting new online course,” said Dana Harris-Bridson, Editor-In-Chief of IndieWire. “It’s a great way to show our passionate audience of film and TV fans how they can become a part of the industry they love.”

All course materials and instruction will be provided online, meaning students can fit the program assignments into their daily lives – offering the kind of flexibility needed right now during the pandemic. The course content itself is also optimized for the “new normal” of the entertainment industry, teaching techniques and strategies for handling projects remotely across the industry. 

The way the program content itself was shot and constructed is an example of this of-the-moment approach: Yellowbrick created a “contactless” recording experience to capture interviews. A first for Yellowbrick, the team developed this process using technology provided by OpenReel, a New York-based platform that enables footage to be directed and filmed remotely. 

Visit Yellowbrick.co/film to sign up now for an exclusive preview of the program. The first group of students will be admitted in September.

Yellowbrick Highlights Student Entrepreneurs for Black Business Month

Yellowbrick on August 17, 2020

Whether it’s designers or entrepreneurs, the Yellowbrick student community is a great place to find budding talent. A lot of our students are already in the game but are taking our courses to level up their skill. They are looking to learn from the teachers and experts featured in Yellowbrick programs to elevate their existing brands and sharpen their skillset. Since August is Black Business Month, we created a place to highlight some of the black-owned businesses that were founded by students in our courses. 

The landing page for these brands can be found here and when you click on the select squares, you can visit the pages and shop. These businesses offer everything from t-shirts to hoodies to coffee to skin care products. This landing page was created  to amplify these black-owned businesses and services to our Yellowbrick community. Please take the time to visit the page and take a look at what some of these brands have to offer. We will be adding to this list as the year progresses so be sure to check back in from time to time. 

BTS: Bringing Korean Pop to the West and Changing Perceptions

Yellowbrick on August 17, 2020

Written by Music Industry Essentials student Lauren O’Donnell

The first time many Western listeners ever heard of the term “K-Pop,” was in 2012 when they came upon the catchy, dance driven hit “Gangnam Style” by South Korean singer Psy. This song got K-Pop’s foot in the door, but this one time hit failed to provide the momentum to boost K-Pop into the U.S. music scene.

K-Pop or Korean pop music is not technically a genre of music. It is more of a music style or culture. Its sound is characterized by a combination of pop, EDM, hip-hop, R&B and other genres. K-Pop singers or “Idols” as they are called in Korea, perform difficult choreography and are styled to fit particular concepts in their performances. “Gangnam Style” and its success was both a blessing and curse for K-Pop in the West. It was a hit song performed in the Korean language that brought an artist from that region fame in America. But its humorous nature led to misconceptions and caused Western critics and media to see K-Pop as “bubblegum” pop music that could not be taken seriously. For years K-Pop had virtually disappeared in the West until…BTS.

BTS (방탄소년단)
BTS is a seven member boy group formed in Seoul by Big Hit Entertainment. They debuted in 2013 with the song “No More Dream,” and since then have sold millions of albums, performed to sold-out stadiums worldwide and have changed perceptions surrounding K-Pop.

BTS Music Style and Message
BTS is comprised of three rappers (RM, J-Hope, SUGA) and four vocalists (Jin, V, Jimin, Jungkook). This combination allows for interesting song arrangements, musical styles and variations in vocal ranges. BTS has a very wide range when it comes to genres and sounds in their music. They have incorporated emo rap, latin pop, hip-hop, African drums, traditional Korean instruments, and are never afraid to experiment with genres or different elements in their music.

The messages in their music are very personal to young people and to BTS themselves. The members are involved in the concepts, songwriting and producing of their music. They have discussed topics like mental health, societal expectations, self-love and being true to yourself.

Success in the West
BTS has become successful in the Western market and around the world because they create great music, have a strong relationship with their fans known as the ARMY and they established their fan base before attempting to break into the market. Some K-Pop groups today make appearances in the U.S. before their fanbase is established organically and this does not typically work for the group’s long-term success.

BTS has achieved four #1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, three top ten hits on the Hot 100 and for the last few years has been one of the best selling artists in the world. With each new album release, they sell more copies and top charts in global markets. Their success has opened doors for other K-Pop artists in the U.S. BTS has also made appearances and performed on Carpool Karaoke, SNL, the BBMAs and The Tonight Show to name a few.

Changing Perceptions
BTS has begun to change K-Pop’s perception in the West and has proven that no language barrier, cultural difference or prejudice can prevent them from conquering the global music scene and being able to open doors for K-Pop artists and Korean/Asian artists in general. BTS has received critical praise for their music from respected critics and are now members of the Recording Academy. They have won awards at the BBMAs, AMAs and various Western award shows in addition to their Asian music award shows. Besides the emotional impact their music has on their fans, their sales and awards further prove that BTS and Korean music can be successful in America and the audience is here. BTS’s achievements do not guarantee the success of other Korean artists, but they have set a high standard for what Korean pop music can be and the world is listening.

BTS Impact and Love Myself Campaign
Along with their Love Yourself series of albums, BTS partnered with UNICEF for their Love Myself Campaign to work to end violence against children. To date, over two million dollars has been raised for this global campaign. BTS spoke at the United Nations to talk about their campaign and their message, and were featured on the cover of TIME Magazine’s Next Generation Leaders issue. Their impact on not just music, but the world is a testament to their message and their genuine desire to make the world a better place.

“No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, your gender identity, just speak yourself.” – KIM NAMJOON (RM of BTS). Excerpt from United Nations Speech

Sources:

https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/a-deeper-look-at-why-bts-has-thrived-in-america.html | https://www.love-myself.org/eng/campaign-list

To experience BTS and other KPOP artists, click on the playlists below.

“So I Could…” | Billy Petts

Yellowbrick on August 17, 2020

Name: Billy Petts
Course: Streetwear Essentials
IG Handle: @InspirationClothing

I enrolled in this program so I could..
Learn from the best and obtain knowledge from an Industry standpoint not just the underground knowledge I’ve obtained the past decade.

Why did you think the course was right for you when you enrolled?
I felt like there could always be more to learn and that even with years of experience, I could learn other methods and processes to start and finish clothing projects. Learning from like minded creators is always a blessing.

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?
To treat my business as Culture and Storytelling. Not Product and Profits. It’s much more than “business.” It’s Passion and the drive to make a difference in our communities.

Has your experience in Streetwear Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?
Yes, my whole outlook on fashion has changed yet again. I feel as if I still have a long journey ahead, learning about mood boards, tech packs, and manufacturing in this course took my brand to new endeavors yet to unfold. Following all the creators and influencers from this course on Instagram has increased my learning as well. Seeing how they post, and market after hearing them speak makes sense why they excel in streetwear today.

How did the course prepare you for working in the streetwear industry?
In a good way. The course forces you really to make the building blocks of a clothing brand. Right down to business plan, target market, potential store layouts, pop up shops, you name it. At the end of this course I found myself with an actually written business plan which I never thought I would have or needed. Now I have something professional to continuously build off.

What would you say to a friend about Streetwear Essentials?
Sign up if you wanna save 10 years of learning on your own.

Reebok x Yellowbrick Want You to #WriteYourLegacy

Yellowbrick on August 11, 2020

“Legacy isn’t just what you leave behind, it’s what you create” – #WriteYourLegacy

Reebok silhouettes have a solid place in sneaker culture history. From the colorful 5411s that got their name because of their price plus tax to the Iverson legacy that followed him even after his career ended, their silhouettes and styles tell stories that will live on forever. There is so much to be said about creating something that’ll have a permanent place in the history of sneaker culture. Sneaker culture has been carefully curated for years. Whether it is a shoe design or an editorial written about a moment, playing a role in shaping the culture is epic. If you are a High School student with a design dream who wants to earn his/her spot in sneaker culture, this contest is for you. 

Reebok and Yellowbrick have teamed up to help give young designers a chance to earn their spot in sneaker history. Fifteen High School students will have a chance at a mentorship opportunity with Xavier Jones, one of Reebok’s leading designers. Aside from an amazing mentorship opportunity, the chosen fifteen will also have a chance at a two-month apprenticeship with the brand and a chance to reimagine an iconic Reebok Classics silhouette. The application is open until April 15, 2020 @ 5pm EST. If you are a high school student or know a high school student who is ready to get their design on, click here to apply.

If a career in sneakers is something that you are interested in, visit Sneaker Essentials for more information. 

Kick Back With a Book on National Book Lovers Day

Yellowbrick on August 7, 2020

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For some people, books are a great way to escape the confines of reality. Sitting with a good title and immersing yourself in its words can be a great way to relax, relate and release. With so many titles to choose from, there is no shortage of options. Books have become more popular these past few months and stumbling across new reading options is always a good thing. Whether fiction, non-fiction, a memoir or a reference title, books have always been the go-to for entertainment and education. Reading is a favorite pastime for many and right now, a popular way to level up skills and knowledge. Sunday, August 9th is National Book Lovers Day and we thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of our favorite reads across the Yellowbrick courses. In addition to taking the courses, these books are great ways to level up your knowledge in areas like Streetwear, Fashion, Beauty, Sneakers, Hospitality, Gaming, Sports, and Music. 

Some of the books we’ve selected are popular titles written by some of our very own course Professors and Industry Experts. Aside from being at the top of their game in the lessons, their books provide a deeper dive into their areas of expertise. Authors like Elaine Welteroth, Kathy Iandoli, Dan Charnas, Jeffrey Rabhan, and April Walker have added to the culture of their respective industries with titles that provide historical insight, personal narrative, and helpful information. 

Celebrating books and all things literary is something that can be done on National Book Lovers Day, or any day. With summer in session and fall on the horizon, reading a book is the perfect way to spend the day outdoors. Simply grab the title of your choice, find a socially-distant compliant area and immerse yourself in all it has to offer.

Swipe through the gallery above to see our picks and for more information on how you can apply for any of our courses, visit yellowbrick.co.

Keeping Creative With Alife’s Rob Cristofaro

Yellowbrick on July 7, 2020

Exclusive Conversation: Keeping Creative During Quarantine w/ Rob Cristofaro

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When the world was first introduced to the concept of a “stay-at-home” quarantine order, we had no idea what to expect. We were given a potential timeline to the end but that has changed many times. In the interim, creatives like Alife co-founder Rob Cristofaro are navigating the calm through the storm. Keeping creative and motivated during these times is a major key because his business is dependent on creativity.

We recently sat down with Rob on a Zoom chat to discuss a few things including how he stays creative and what he suggests others do to stay creative during these uncertain times. Rob is also an Industry Expert in the Streetwear Essentials course, which gives students an inside look at what it’s like to have a career in the streetwear industry. He talks about the importance of learning from other people’s experiences and how it can help craft a path for your journey in the streetwear industry. If you missed the full length conversation, no worries. You can drop your email in the “Register Now” box above and get the link.

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