Pixel Corps, the global learning guild for aspiring and professional digital craftsman, has launched a new open enrollment policy. For a nominal monthly fee, Pixel Corps now offers its members unrestricted access to advanced digital media software (valued at more than $20,000), a comprehensive global learning community and extensive online training on a variety of products ranging from Adobe Photoshop and Apple Shake to Luxology modo and SOFTIMAGE|XSI. Spearheaded by Industrial Light & Magic veteran, Alex Lindsay, Pixel Corps is preparing artists to participate and excel in todays competitive and fast-paced digital media marketplace.
I have learned more from being a part of Pixel Corps in the last three months than I did during two years of serious independent study and practice, said Bob Gerber, Pixel Corps member. Pixel Corps is a wonderful experience.
Its important to us that Pixel Corps provides its members with real-world production experience, added founder Lindsay. We are committed to constantly improving Pixel Corps offerings to meet the demands of the industry and the needs of our members. While other artists may struggle in a changing economy and evolving market, our members will drive the change rather than wait for it to arrive.
I always wanted to learn computer graphics, so when I decided on a career change, I joined Pixel Corps to get me up to speed on the industrys must-know tools, added Arturo Revilla, Pixel Corps member. Becoming a member was the best decision I made. I was able to learn concepts in a matter of days rather than months; I was exposed to a real production atmosphere; and the Pixel Corps community was very responsive to my eagerness to learn.
Pixel Corps open enrollment membership includes:
* Software Pixel Corps offers its members 90-day licenses to a large variety of software applications, including: Apple Shake; MAXON CINEMA 4D; SOFTIMAGE|XSI; REALVIZ ImageModeler, Stitcher and MatchMover Pro; 2d3 boujou bullet; Zaxwerks ProAnimator; Luxology modo; and autodessys form Z.
* Training New members are given a starter kit containing more than 80 hours of video training, covering everything from Adobe Photoshop basics to motion capture, HDRi and photogrammetry. Additionally, Pixel Corps provides all members with an hour of training material each week and offers challenges for members to produce collaborative work. This peer-to-peer training allows members to learn from one another and grasp concepts in hours that would normally take weeks with independent education.
* Community One of the most powerful aspects of the Pixel Corps membership is its community. Pixel Corps forum offers its members an opportunity to trade notes with each other and experts from every area of the industry on a daily basis. Beyond learning, this community builds a tight network of individuals who continuously trade work amongst one another.
* Production Training Pixel Corps members are eligible to join one of Pixel Corps existing teams designed to execute real-world production projects ranging from short films and music videos to commercials and more. These projects do not produce revenue; they generate production experience, demo reel footage and a bond between the members. These teams also serve as a lab for Pixel Corps to build the infrastructure and standardization that its members need to pass real work amongst one anther.
Membership options include: three months for $150, six months for $240 or 12 months for $420. Memberships include a $50 registration fee for new members.
Pixel Corps (www.pixelcorps.com) was devised by ILM veteran Lindsay in 2002 to create a global production community capable of generating content around the world, preparing artists for the next media revolution by blending extensive training, access to the industrys most advanced applications, real-world challenges and community participation.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
