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.

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.

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.

Student Profile | Ronnie Parris – Beauty Industry Essentials

Yellowbrick on July 2, 2020

Who: Ronnie Parris

What Course: Beauty Industry Essentials

How did you find us: I’d been working in retail for about 6 years and I wanted to get into the makeup industry. I needed some kind of knowledge about the industry. 

Why: I wanted to get into makeup because being darker, it’s kind of difficult for me to find a lot of shades. Makeup to me is not just about how I express myself. And that’s my career! Thanks to Beauty Industry Essentials thanks to F.I.T., Allure and Yellowbrick. 

Experience: Retail 

Course Thoughts: 

For more information on how you can apply for the Beauty Industry Essentials program, visit yellowbrick.co/beauty.

Student Profile | Valerie Christofel – Beauty Industry Essentials

Yellowbrick on July 2, 2020

Who: Valerie Christofel

What Course: Beauty Industry Essentials

How did you find us: I’d been working in the beauty industry for about 27 years and I took some time off to take care of my family. I found Beauty Industry Essentials while scrolling through Facebook. I came across a YB x F.I.T. ad and I was like OMG this looks very interesting to me! It’s very inspiring and it just keeps me going! 

Why: I wanted to get back into the Beauty Game. I wanted to see what was out there. This course is a great way to jump back in. So much has changed over the past 5-10 years. The terminology has changed, everything has changed and taking this course is a great way to relearn everything. I am  excited to learn from Bobbi Brown (course contributor). I am really inspired right now and I can’t wait to complete the program and get my certificate. 

Experience: Hair and makeup artist for films, TV shows, runway and printwork. 

Course Thoughts: 

For more information on how you can apply for the Beauty Industry Essentials program, visit yellowbrick.co/beauty.

Michelle Lopez Talks “Making The Pivot” | Webinar Recap

Yellowbrick on June 30, 2020

Exclusive Conversation: Making the Pivot w/ Michelle Lopez

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Streetwear Essentials student Michelle Lopez is not new to the industry. As co-founder of the children’s streetwear brand The Mini Classy, she has a good idea of how the industry works. Earlier this year, Michelle decided to take her business skills to the next level and apply to be a student in the Streetwear Essentials course. After getting accepted and enrolling, she was on the road to releasing new Mini Classy gear and making some moves. A few months later, the pandemic hit and Michelle was forced to make some changes. 

While she was trying to figure how she was going to pivot into her next thing, she came up with a pretty dope idea. She talks about what she did in the live webinar we hosted, Making the Pivot on 6/14. If you want to hear more about what she did, her experience with the streetwear course and what she’s going to do next, leave your email in the box above. Once you register, we will send you the full link to the talk. Until then, you can check out some of her stuff on both The Mini Classy and MaskOn MaskOff. 

Now Open! The Noah Noodle Shop | Osaka, Japan

Yellowbrick on June 29, 2020

In the midst of global chaos, great things are still happening. Many brands had no idea that by the end of Q1, the world would be at a pandemic standstill. While some projects came to a screeching halt, Noah kept pushing to make the magic happen. On Saturday, June 27th, The Noah Noodle Shop opened its doors, hoping to encourage its global community that with faith and perseverance, we can overcome anything.

The creative vision for The Noodle Shop was executed by an A1 team led by Noah’s own Estelle Bailey-Babenzien, who happens to be a course contributor in the Streetwear Essentials course. Her design skill for creating the perfect aesthetic for an epic customer experience is one of a kind. The tradition of the Noodle Shop building speaks for itself and the design beautifully reflects that. The Noodle Shop was a traditional family house that functioned as a family-owned and run noodle shop for over a century. And while serving food and selling clothes doesn’t seem ideal, Noah reserved the tradition and made it happen.

In the spirit of tradition, Noah Osaka used the image of the Kibori Kuma as a symbol of its opening. The Kibori Kuma is a wood-carved bear which is a representation of the “rural artisanal tradition” in Japan. Farmers used to make these bears during the winter months for income when their business was slower. Many Japanese families have Kibori Kuma in their homes as a symbol of “the balance in nature, and the responsibility each species has for one another”. Adding the imagery of the Kibori Kuma to the opening is another ode to the tradition being displayed here. Families of the team members who worked on this project have these sculptures in their home and immediately identify with its significance, which is very telling of the Noah brand.

Being a brand is more than selling clothes and running campaigns. Noah is deeply committed to its global community and prides itself on taking its own approach to creating quality products. Instead of following existing guidelines in the fashion/streetwear industry, Noah goes above and beyond to put tradition and human dignity first and foremost. Donating portions of profits to help causes that are important to the brand, speaking on issues they believe in, and helping to amplify the voices of people and organizations important to them are just a few of the ways that make them a “responsible” brand.

Game On! F.I.T. x Yellowbrick Launch Gaming and Esports Industry Essentials

Yellowbrick on June 24, 2020

Yellowbrick, in collaboration with New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), today announced the launch of Gaming and Esports Industry Essentials, a program designed to explore the expansive and lucrative world of Gaming and Esports. The program will help prepare game fans, players, and aspiring designers for the gaming industry, which is expected to generate $196 billion in revenue by the year 2022. 

 

Gaming and Esports Industry Essentials exposes learners to a full host of roles and career paths, everything from game design to Esports team management. Learners will walk through a full survey of the industry, examine multiple roles, test aptitudes, and – ideally – determine a personal career fit. Upon finishing the program, learners receive a Completion Certificate from FIT. 

 

“FIT is committed to expanding and diversifying its offerings to meet the needs of the adult and non-traditional learner,” said Daniel M. Gerger, director of FIT’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies. “These new and customized offerings reflect the depth and breadth of FIT’s unique curriculum, which continues to innovate in an ever-changing environment.”

 

“Today’s gaming world has torn down preconceived notions and proven itself to be a viable arena for creative and lucrative career paths. We’re thrilled to help open doors for the players, creators, and game enthusiasts who’ve made this movement possible,” said Rob Kingyens, President and CEO of Yellowbrick. “Few industries generate as much passion for young people as gaming.”

 

The course offers a sequence of project-based activities and assignments analyzing the basics of game design, marketing, and project management. They will gain the knowledge necessary to develop, plan, and execute Esports events – including social media content development to entice fan interaction. Instruction also covers the history of gaming, game story concept and iterative development, marketing and distribution, and the business opportunities that exist in Esports communities. 

 

“Passionate gamers come from all walks of life, but many don’t know how to transition from recreational player to industry participant and many don’t receive the same informational and educational opportunity to enter into the Esports and gaming space,” said Erin Ashley Simon, gaming TV anchor, host, and advocate. “What’s great about this program is that it offers an inside view and first step that anybody can understand, and it enables learners to imagine a place for themselves in the wider gaming world.” 

 

Instructors featured in the program represent a wide array of talent, specialties, and leadership from across the gaming community. In addition to Simon, contributors to the program include FIT faculty Maria Hwang and Dan Shefelman; General Manager & CEO of WorldGaming and Collegiate StarLeague Wim Stocks; Esports Player and commentator “Tasty” Steve Scott; Andbox Head of Marketing Francis Thai; Rockstar Games’ Sanford Santacroce; and many more. Simon, Scott, and Thai will also be offering scholarships in their name, lending financial support to learners who need help entering the program.

 

All course materials and instruction will be provided online, which means that students can complete lessons at their own pace and fit the course into their daily lives. 

 

Visitors to yellowbrick.co/gaming can sign up now for an exclusive preview of the program. The first group of students will be admitted in July.

 

  

 

MARTkd: How To Become A Sneaker Designer

Yellowbrick on June 10, 2020

Exclusive Conversation | MARTk’d Series: Episode 1 of 6

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Sneaker Design is probably the most popular career choice for people that want to work in the sneaker industry. Design has evolved over time and we have seen everything from innovative new silhouettes to daring collabs. Daring colorways are pushing the envelope and the classics are making a comeback with a twist. All of these things happen because of the designer and the ideas that they bring to the table. Episode 1 of the MARTk’d Webinar Series will tell you everything you need to know to get in the game.  

The MARTk’d live series kicked off with How To Become A Sneaker Designer. Supported by Pensole, Yellowbrick’s Dion Walcott had a live conversation with Director/Artist/Designer Alexander John, and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards (Founder of Pensole Academy). If sneaker design is something that you’re passionate about then this is the conversation for you. They dropped gems for people who are looking to get into design and how to become relevant in the space. To see the replay, you can sign up for the viewer link by dropping your email address in the space provided above. If you are ready to take your next steps in design, whether it’s in the sneaker industry or fashion/streetwear industry, visit Yellowbrick.co to find out how.

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