After Fox News Reporter Lilia Chacon’s recent visit to Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, first year Game & Interactive Media student Michael McDowell shares his reflections on her story.

Lilia Chacon was a speaker for Tribeca Flashpoint’s Jumpstart series, which brings industry professionals to campus to share their experience and expertise with students.

Fox News reporter Lilia Chacon recently visited Flashpoint and delivered an eye-opening speech titled, “Don’t wear high heels to a gang war.” While the title is interesting by itself, the inspiration behind the story was just as fascinating.

Ms. Chacon recalled a moment in her career when she was covering a story on a gang shooting in a Chicago neighborhood. While broadcasting from the crime scene with a heavy police presence, the suspects came back and opened fire on the crime scene area. Consequently, a shootout between the police and the suspects ensued.

The cameraman continued to roll despite the haze of bullets flying through the air, while Ms. Chacon unrelentingly delivered the report as they followed close behind the policemen. After a few exchanges, the suspects fled to a nearby alley.

The police pursued with Ms. Chacon and her cameraman close behind. They got to the end of the alley that was shaped in a form of a T. Suddenly, a car swerved in on one side as four men hopped out and a police car swerved in on the opposite end with three officers in it. Lilia Chacon and her faithful cameraman were stuck in the middle of another gunfight!!!

While I enjoyed the story, the real treat of Ms. Chacon coming to Flashpoint was the personal testimony of her passion for delivering the facts to everyday people like you and me. Her message seemed to transcend the field of Film & Broadcast. Being a first year Game Development student I felt just as stimulated as any Film & Broadcast student there.

As she continued with her speech, she revealed the sacrifice that her career demands. She spoke on her lack of a social life and how she often has to disappoint close friends and family all in the call of duty. While I listened to her talk about her life, I was inspired by her story because I feel we take for granted the passion, hard work, resourcefulness and dedication it takes to make it in the so-called glamorous career of news reporting. We rarely get to see the grind that it takes to succeed in a career as demanding as journalism.

During her speech I also realized how important the work is that Ms. Chacon and other reporters like her do. Hearing what goes on behind the camera allowed me to have a better respect for her and her craft. During my commute home, I briefly reflected on how informed and well versed I am on current events, and acknowledged it’s all a result of the hard work that Lilia Chacon and her colleagues put into reporting. Their constant digging, pursuing and following up reaps the reward of a more informed population and satisfies the passion of these news professionals.

I am not sure if reporters hear this as often as they should, but thank you. Society deserves to be informed and to know the truth, regardless of how ugly it is.

By the way, the shootout story ended with her winning an Emmy (1 of her 6). I hope she continues the great work that she does and keeps telling the story, whatever it may be.

- Michael McDowell

On Friday, April 16, 2010, journalist Lilia Chacon spoke to students as a part of Tribeca Flashpoint’s Jumpstart Speaker Series. Film & Broadcast student Thomas Merry shares his reflections.

I recently attended a Jumpstart presentation by Lilia Chacon. Lilia, an accomplished reporter for Fox News Chicago, shared her path to success with me and my fellow Tribeca Flashpoint students.

She told several stories of her experience as a journalist, including how she wore high heels to a gang fight. But one story that specifically stuck with me was when she was still in school, one of her teachers mentioned that she had a misplaced sense of perfectionism.

I took that personally because in a way I have always been a bit of a perfectionist. I don’t want to make any mistakes and sometimes I become over critical of myself. Especially in writing a story or even directing in my studio production class, there is always something I wish I did better and tend to dwell on it too much.

For example, when I am writing a story, I think it is the best story ever; it feels perfect. When I sit down and read the finished product, all of a sudden it is a crappy story. I tend to nitpick. I start wishing I took another angle, or didn’t put a certain element into the story.

Or, when I recently directed in studio production class, I felt like I did a great job when I was done. However, when I watched it, I started picking out shots I didn’t like and lost confidence in myself because of this need to be perfect.

So during the Q&A session after the presentation, I asked Lilia how she kept from being over critical of herself. Lilia responded that you just move on to the next project, not worry about the past, and just keep moving. This hit home with me. You’re going to make mistakes and the best way to get by is to learn from them and move on.

I was surprised at how interested I was, and thought this was the best Jumpstart I have attended in my brief time here at Tribeca Flashpoint.

“Their portfolios blew me away. But really, it was their professionalism that was most impressive.” – Employer Quote from Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy’s inaugural job fair, Saturday, May 1, 2010.

With their resumes, portfolios and reels perfected, upcoming May 2010 graduates in Film & Broadcast, Recording Arts, Game & Interactive Media, and Animation & Visual Effects had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the heavy hitters of Digital Media Production.

As excited as our students were to meet with representatives from industry professionals nationwide, the recruiters themselves — representing companies such as Pilgrim Films, Disney Television Animation, Jellyvision, TLC (The Learning Channel), WB Games Chicago, and many more — were every bit as excited to meet the Tribeca Flashpoint Class of 2010.

A few quotes from employers:

“We came back to find another [2009 Flashpoint Graduate]. He was so great, we’re sure to find another here!”

“Why would I pay an agency $80K to do a spec spot, when I can give to the scholarship fund and work with a better group of talented individuals like your students.”

“I’m so glad to hear about Core Studies being such a focus at your institution. I was just interviewing a Harvard grad with a 4.0 – who couldn’t even look at me when he spoke!”

Congratulations to everyone who made the first Tribeca Flashpoint Job Fair a tremendous success, and an enthusiastic “well done” to our truly amazing soon-to-be graduates!

On Sunday, April 25th, 2o1o, Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy welcomed actor and Evanston, IL native Jeremy Piven for a PSA shoot to benefit Malaria No More.

This week, Flashpoint’s Women in Media joined Broadcast Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist for a behind the scenes look at CBS studios in Chicago. After their visit, second year Recording Arts student Elena Rubin shared her reactions.

Our tour of CBS studios with Mary Kay Kleist was an absolute blast!

Mary Kay was gracious enough to give us a comprehensive tour of the CBS floors where we had the chance to meet with anchors, producers, directors, editors and many more. Everyone was so warm and inviting and seemed genuinely interested in our career prospects and offered up meaningful words of wisdom that they have gained throughout the years in the industry.

Mary Kay finished up our tour by bringing us down to the main studio where we had the opportunity to see her and the rest of the anchor crew in action. We were all taken aback at how everyone handled their jobs with such ease .

This tour was incredibly inspiring and educational. Students from all media background (broadcast, film, recording arts, visual FX) will learn a ton from this terrific touring opportunity!

Flashpoint Academy Film and VFX students combined efforts to create a short video for the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Stair Climbs. This video will be played over 6 million times in prominent skyscrapers citywide.

About Fight For Air Climbs:

Fight for Air Climbs are unique fundraising events for the American Lung Association. They usually happen in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve climbing multiple steps. Sometimes called a “vertical road race”, teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, as a race, with you challenging yourself or you racing against other people, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends. American Lung Association Climbs are also a wonderful way to support someone who has lung disease or as a memorial to someone who has passed away.

Watch the video here:

Flashpoint Academy Film and VFX Departments Combine to Create Video for American Lung Association (from Howard Tullman on Vimeo).

The following is a guest post from Game Development student Andrew Prete reflecting upon his experience at Flashpoint Academy’s Jumpstart session with Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office.

Rich Moskal

My name is Andrew Prete. I attend Flashpoint Academy and I am “a gamer.” I am studying to become the greatest game producer that ever lived. Everything I do revolves around games, from seeing who can eat a giant piece of pizza (with pepperoni) the fastest, to driving down Lake Shore Drive weaving in and out of traffic because I can, or playing head games with my friends. Now, you might be asking yourself, how is this guy a film fanatic? Well, I will tell you.

When I am watching a movie I am emotionally vested from the very beginning. I experience what the character experiences. I laugh, cry and get scared. I am there in the thick of it every step of the way — even when the movie is not so great. I accept their reality and run with it. These things called “motion pictures” give me an escape I could have never imagined. They are my biggest muse and hold much power over me. I don’t criticize or look down upon them; I simply enjoy them like a baby discovers his or her own fingers: with wonderment and awe.

I recently had the pleasure to hear Rich Moskal talk at Flashpoint and give us his point of view of the film industry. Rich Moskal has served as the director of the Chicago Film Office for thirteen years, but before that he was a kid and a student — a student trying to find his way in the world not knowing what to do, say, or think. He attended Loyola for a short time and studied some form of medical mumbo jumbo. Trust me when I say he has done a ton of jobs both in and out of the film industry.

What I connected to most was the kindness and generosity Rich seemed to have. When he works, he does so not only for himself but for those around him. He wants to be the best he can be. Not the best producer or editor or actor. Not the best location scout or writer or camera operator. Not even the best director of the Chicago Film Office. He wants to be the best person he can be — a person who wants not only to see himself succeed but also wants those around him to succeed as well. All the stories he told and the things he accomplished boil down to just one thing: that this person came to Flashpoint, talked with the students, and answered our questions because he wants to see us have the success that we want.

I am thirty-two years old, newly married and have started my life over by coming to Flashpoint. I hope to have the same success that Rich has had but in the game industry.

Director Michael Noens.

On Monday night, October 12th, Flashpoint Academy welcomed back Director and Flashpoint Alumnus Michael Noens for a cast and crew screening of his latest feature film, Coasting.

A touching story of two young people struggling to find passion and meaning in their adult lives, Coasting is both funny and touching, and shows the remarkable heart, skill and dedication of all those who made it.

For The Independent Critic’s review of Coasting, please click here.

(Photos by Lorelei Cummins. Courtesy of CNGM Pictures.)

Flashpoint Academy helped kick off the 45th annual Chicago International Film Festival live on the red carpet, Thursday, October 8th.

Armed with cameras, mics, and great professional attitudes, students and production crew interviewed the evening’s guest of honor, Uma Thurman (who would receive CIFF’s Career Achievement Award), as well as actress Jacqueline Bisset and Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The student crew, Jaime Perez and Caitlin Musick (film/broadcast), were blown away by the intelligent, soft-spoken Ms. Thurman and the beautiful, engaging Ms. Bisset. This real-world experience helped them to learn first hand what it means to be a true professional outside of the classroom, requiring them to make quick production decisions, exhibit composure, and demonstrate Red Carpet and Press Pit etiquette.

Events such as the CIFF red carpet will continue to differentiate the Flashpoint graduate from the rest of the pack, allowing them to showcase not just their outstanding reels but the successful on-the-job experiences that are a part of their scholastic background.