Off to a VERY good start
In September, artist Eric Afredo took the Travel Channel Academy course in NY.
Although he lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, Eric says he wanted to move to NY to ’emmerse [myself] in the creative energy there’. Â Seems to be working.
Only a few short weeks after he completed the TCA course, Eric has had his first video piece accepted by CNN.
Says Eric:
 Whether it be painting, music or photography, I’ve been involved in some aspect of art my entire life. I make my living as a freelance graphic designer and photographer. I participated in the TCA, New York in September, where I learned more in 4 days than I did in a year and a half at film school. I left TCA with nothing but inspiration and a burning desire to make great video. I now devote 100% of my energy towards becoming the best Video Journalist I can be. It’s my passion.
As we say in NY (and maybe in Scottsdale), Mazel Tov Eric!
43 Comments
digger October 29, 2009
OMG – why did you have to mention Santa Barbara!!!???
The home of the infamous Brooks Institute of Photography who a few short years back were forced to repay students tens of millions of dollars in course fees because it was found they had dishonestly exaggerated the earning potential of their graduates.
Nino October 28, 2009
I’m trying Mike, I’m really trying, you’re my hero, as soon as I can outgrow this nasty honesty of mine I wanna be just like you.
Michael Rosenblum October 28, 2009
Nino
If only you would grow up.
Nino October 28, 2009
Wow, you guys have been busy.
I’ve got to hand it to you Mike, you got some scheme going with this TCA, my compliments to you, you planned every inch of the way, Charles Ponzi would be proud of you. You got these kids eating out of your hand. Get them young before their brains fully develop and they start opening their eyes.
Man, when I grow up I want to be just like you.
digger October 28, 2009
– the guy is a broadcast journalism graduate from University of Colorado.
and in your mind that makes him an idiot?
Michael Rosenblum October 28, 2009
Kenny, keep your money
Normally I don’t like to get involved in these pissing matches. I have heard all this for far too many years. However, you might like to check out Ryan Van Duzer, grad of the TCA academy. He was not the best student in the class, but boy did he work at it after he graduated. So much so that he’s now under contract to the channel to travel the world and produce. You can read about him at
http://www.hornytoad.com/community/league-of-toads/ryan-van-duzer.html
Also, he has his own website.
Now watch… the next response will be ‘show me another one’ and ‘another one’.
This is why I gave up on these folks a long time ago.
They’re not really interested in any facts. It’s just a fixation they have.
And now… back to my Virgin America flight to Santa Barbara for another Travel Channel Academy.
m
Nino October 30, 2009
Michael you said:
“Now watch… the next response will be ’show me another one’ and ‘another one’.
This is why I gave up on these folks a long time ago.
They’re not really interested in any facts. It’s just a fixation they have.”
Michael, you gave up because you always end up looking really bad anytime you get into these arguments, so here it is again.
I gave you the benefit of the doubt Michael. You know that I keep a very well organized and detailed archive, this is what a true journalist should do, and indeed for the last six years you’ve been giving us names of what you call successes derived from your teaching methods. So last night I went back and pulled a bunch of names and links from your past “successesâ€. One third of the way down your list I gave up, no one was still in existence. What they learn from you is short burst of success; of course anything above nothing is a success, only time can tell if there’s true success and on those terms you failed big time.
digger October 28, 2009
OK – assuming you were a man of integrity – I wated 5 minutes by checking stevegorman.com
– in business making videos since 1996 – looks like he’s fallen on hard times now though as the website is mostly empty.
So $100 to your any local equine charity if you would be so kind.
Thanks
digger October 28, 2009
OK Kenny – I’ll check one more site.
If that site matches the specs I’ll send $100 to the charity of your choice. If not you send $100 to a charity I specify.
Agreed?
kenny October 28, 2009
You kill me, man. I’ve named a bunch of people. I’ve done everything for you. Just because you refuse to see it, doesn’t make the truth any less true. Obviously, even when presented with the evidence, you still choose to believe what you want. Now, if THAT isn’t the bush doctrine, I don’t know what is.
Wait…can I give you a medal for follow through? I think I will! It’s the Medal of Ignorance. And you deserve it because, in the presence of all the facts, you choose to ignore them and cling to your made up stories!
Congratulations!
digger October 28, 2009
You’re right – in the end who cares whether it’s one idiot in 1000 or one idiot in 10,000 when no-one can name the idiot?
As for continuing to look for the WMDs – thanks for the offer Dick, but I’ll pass.
kenny October 28, 2009
As I said, I’m not going to answer questions that I’ve already answered. I’ve given you the info. You need to follow up. I’m assuming you’re not five years old and you can do it yourself. Besides the links I gave you , you can simply google “Travel Channel Academy graduate” and you’ll find people. Go to their websites and email them. Simple.
And where do you get your 10,000 number? As far as I know, their have only been about 1000 TCA grads to go through since the course began a couple years ago. And I’ve given you dozens of people to contact that have made plenty of money. And those are just the ones that I know about. I’m faaaaaar from the expert on that topic. It’s not my job to keep track of anyone. But dozens out of 1000…that’s actually pretty good odds compared to, say, Harvard graduates that have made back their tuition in the medical field, for example. (If you’re also talking about the VJ course that Michael teaches to networks and newspapers, well, ALL of those people are already in the field and they are using their newfound knowledge in their workplace. So, really, they’re the best success stories of them all, because they have full time gigs doing this, don’t they? Wow, that percentage just shot up tremendously.)
As I said before (I hate repeating myself) it’s not the course, it’s what you choose to do with it that’s UP TO YOU. After you take the course, you have the base skills, but you may not have the camera, laptop, software or drive to do anything with that information. Some people did this just for fun, not to actually make it a business. And why do you care if anyone has had experience before the class or not? As I said before (ugh! repeating myself again) many people who already had experience (like me) took the class to learn a different style of producing and learn what a specific client wants. I got both of those things, put them into practice and made some good money. Why are you discounting that? That is helpful to me.
And, I’ll ask YOU…Why do you care? If you don’t like it, don’t take the course. If you think the class is a sham and want to warn people not to waste their money, show the research that proves that, show us all. But from all the folks I’ve talked to that have taken the course, it’s been worthwhile. Actual people. Actual results. Actual websites of success stories that you can contact. And YOU talk about smoke?
digger October 28, 2009
Well stop blowing smoke and redeem yourself. Name one person with no prior experience who paid off the course with income from the camera skills they learned on the course.
One out of 10,000 is only .001% – those are lottery odds for goodness sakes.
kenny October 28, 2009
whoa! before I was dumbfounded. Now I’m just insulted! bush/cheney? ewwwww!
aspersions on their motives? Well, he IS really strongly against this VJ thing for some reason that he’s yet to explain. I’m just wondering why. Who is he so upset for? Can’t be for him. No one is out to get him. Can’t be for me. I’m fine. So, what’s the problem? What’s wrong with him explaining why he’s so upset? I think it would greatly clarify things.
And where is the lie? I showed you evidence that it’s true that VJ’s are making money, some with little prior experience. I, myself am one of the examples of success. And there are bunches more, just waiting for you guys to talk to them. So, talk to them. Prove me wrong.
And “personal attack?” Well, I’m just trying to explain to Nino why these people “disappear”. It’s not because of his compelling arguments. It’s because he’s brash and he attacks people as opposed to a good back and forth debate where each side sees the other side’s point a little. Essentially, he called an entire genre (reality TV) a joke and said his wife made better videos of their kid’s parties, which he meant as an insult. Responding to that by telling him that he’s bullying people is not political, it’s just sticking up for myself. (of course, my video was one of the “jokes”.)
digger October 28, 2009
Kenny – I’m guessing you guys are Bush/Cheney fans, repeat the same lie often enough and people will believe it. If anyone doubts it – make a personal attack, and cast aspersions on their motives – “it’s a political attack”.
Well let me explain: Fool me once,…er more fool me, fool me twice and er…er… I forgot that one. But you sure as hell don’t get to fool me 3 times.
kenny October 27, 2009
So, I tried to let it go, but I just feel obliged to point out the gaping holes in your logic. First off, I’m not going to answer any questions that I’ve either already answered or shown you where you can find those answers. (and digger, if you clicked 2 of the links of the dozens of examples-including the travel channel go- then you didn’t try very hard. I’m not going to hold your hand if you’re unwilling to see the evidence that I’ve laid out.) Secondly, Nino, if you truly went to all of those sites and saw only one that you deem worthy, that statement, more than anything shows how out of touch with today’s world you are. Have you heard of a thing called “Reality Television”? It’s all the rage these days, most of it is shot in exactly that style and the producers are making billions. So, just because it’s not your cup of tea does not mean it’s not a successful business model. Heck, I personally don’t like boring pans of the sunset, but some people make a very nice living off of them! And good god, don’t worry about ME. I don’t want your job or your clients. I like to do much more creative stuff.
And it seems that you don’t have a thing to worry about. You are a one man band, after all. You have corporate clients with deep pockets that want sweeping vistas and sparkling champagne shots with their model actors. And actually, from what I’ve seen, you do a great job at that. I think you’re missing the point, though. Michael isn’t teaching your style. He’s teaching Video Journalism. The 2nd word there is the important one – journalism. This is about reporting and travel, not corporate clients. It’s the cameramen for news stations with tightening budgets that are being canned in favor of the one man band folks (or just teaching the reporters to be one man bands). And the travel videos with real people and real experiences. The camerawork doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s the real action, the raw emotion and the story that take the forefront. You can’t fake that with a million gorgeous dolly shots.
No one here is trying to put you out of business. Now, if you worked for a television station as a run & gun shooter, well, I’d try and diversify a little. Because it’s not anyone’s imagination of what is GOING to happen. It’s happened here, in my city and it’s happening in cities all over the world. One person (a TJ) is replacing 3 people. Look it up for yourself. It’s real. If your say that isn’t happening your either too lazy to research it or you’re just plain lying. If it’s the first one, just call up the people that you hire to research it. That will save us all lots of work!
And, Nino, the reason you never hear from people again isn’t because you’re so convincing or that they can’t prove their point. It’s simply because you’re a bully. You insult, berate and put down. I don’t know if it’s an inferiority complex or a superiority complex, but you’re mean to people and you refuse to even consider anyone else’s point but your own. Your harsh attitude and out of touch statements are offensive. People just don’t want to deal with you.
I’ve answered all of your questions, but you still haven’t answered mine. Why do you care? You’re making a ton of cash, according to you. You have a certain skill set, obviously. You have your place in the video world, which is different from what these people are going for, so no one from Michael’s classes are going to hurt you. And people like me, who are the success stories that you are looking for, are happy with what they have learned, have made plenty of money working for TC (and other clients, but again, $ is $ so what difference does it make?) and they feel that it’s an asset to their overall training. Who are you mad at or who are you trying to protect? Because we certainly don’t need your protection and Michael couldn’t care less that you’re mad at him, so what the heck are you getting out of this?
kenny October 27, 2009
and I just saw nino’s comment above about my website.
pageturneradventures.com and roamaround.tv
I can’t post my Travel Channel stuff there because of copyright issues. They own it, not me, but the other links I gave you will take you to a lot of it.
I actually do mostly children’s stuff. I have a video series that plays on PBS and is licensed to schools and cable stations nationwide. As I said, the VJ thing isn’t my main gig, though I’ve done very well with it. But the tricks I learned at TCA carry into my other work.
Nino October 27, 2009
I went to those sites and it’s only one that MIGHT have done work and got paid, the rest are jokes, and then I went to yours, and I’m supposed to be worry about you?
So let me try again, can you show jobs that you were hired to do? Meaning clients regarded your work as worthy of paying for?
Keep in mind that people like you have been coming and going from Michael blog for a long time, by the dozens, all with the same objective, to put people like me out of business, and never to be heard from again.
I haven’t seen anything like that yet outside the TC and I told you above how the scheme works.
kenny October 27, 2009
that last post was to Nino, not Digger. But, yeah, there are examples of people with little or no experience on that list above as well. Okay, NOW Nino….go ahead with your “winning” post. Just didn’t want digger to think I was berating you.
digger October 27, 2009
I clicked on 2 of yr links – one was dead the other was a guy with a degree in broadcast journalism.
It’s a very simple question – forget the long-winded excuses and prevarications
Forget trying to list a dozen – I have not been able to find a single one.
kenny October 27, 2009
I gave you dozens of examples (if you actually even went to any of the sites I linked to) and the ability to continue the research on your own for people who are making plenty of money outside the TC, but you don’t seem to care. Instead, you respond with strong, unfounded accusations of a serious legal nature based on your own opinions and not fact?
Actually, you have refused to see any facts whatsoever, in this and the other posts that I’ve seen you make. You instead continue to bully, accuse and belabor your uninformed opinion without even considering that you could be wrong. This isn’t a debate between reasonable people. You’re out to win, no matter how illogical you are, no matter how much evidence against your point there is and no matter how stupid you look.
Well, go live your life in a bubble, go make your boring slow pans of the sunset and well lit shots of fake actors with their fake smiles. And go bully someone else, because I’m done. I’m going to go out with my backpack of gear, get in the action with real people doing real things, cut together some sweet sh*t to some rockin’ music, have some fun and make some money, just like I and many others have been doing all along.
And, seeing as you want to win, you’ll certainly be posting one more comment below this one, so that you can have the last word. Have at it, buddy. I won’t be reading it. I, like the rest of the world, am moving on without you.
digger October 27, 2009
Enough smoke Kenny.
Neither you nor Rosenblum had anything to do with the development of the internet, laptop computers or handicams. Please correct me if I’m wrong in this assumption.
Rosenblum is famous for his “any idiot can do it” schtik. Well what is an idiot and what exactly can he do?
Reasonably this translates as “A person with no prior camera or editing skills can take my course and then pay off the course fee by selling video”.
Well OK – name a few.
Nino October 27, 2009
Just for your information and just in case you think that VJ is something new and revolutionary, I’ve been doing the one man band as well as full scale productions since the Vietnam war, I was a VJ when VJ wasn’t cool, and I’ve been showing some of the work I did as OMB (today VJ), work that dates back to when Michael was still dating cheerleaders.
Michael has been saying for the last seven years that were done, replaced by VJs, some has but most good shooters doesn’t have a clue what a VJ is or does, high end production shooters today are doing better than ever. Michael stopped saying this awhile back because his predictions never happened, the TCA like graduates never made it far and any VJ today are the regular staff cameramen doing additional duties. So your argument is very old and repetitious, but if it makes you feel good that you might take some work away from me go right ahead, it’s good therapy for people who are replacing skills with hopes.
To start, let’s not forget what started this thread, that’s a TCA graduated got his work accepted as free on CNN, something that CNN invited the public to submit and most work accepted is from people that did not pay $2500 to get work accepted for free, they just did it by reading a book or two, some just did it because it’s easy, it only requires a little of brain power.
As far as the money matter is concerned, you can talk to me about money until you turn blue and it still doesn’t mean a thing. Show me a demo reel with your works and what you’ve done and I can tell you very closely how much you made and your potential to make money with your skill.
You gave me 8 names of people that are making money with the TCA, that’s 8 out of over 1000 that paid for tuition, not a good percentage, actually a very lousy percentage. Your work is only good for the TCA and I tell you why, you guys are paying for what you are getting paid for, this is nothing more than a modified Ponzi scheme
Read the legal definition of a Ponzi scheme:
“A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned. The Ponzi scheme usually entices new investors by offering return other investments cannot guarantee, in the form of short-term returns that are either abnormally high or unusually consistent. The perpetuation of the returns that a Ponzi scheme advertises and pays requires an ever-increasing flow of money from investors to keep the scheme going.â€
See the similarities?
In a Ponzi scheme the investment doesn’t earn any money and neither is the work produced for the TC by TCA graduates. Just like a Ponzi scheme it doesn’t have any outside revenue, no sponsors and no paid advertisers like most video projects do. Programs produced by networks have investors, sponsors and advertisers and the quality of the program has to have enough public interest to show potential profits, meaning quality programs are important. TC and the TCA is self supported by its own students tuition and if students would stop paying tuition there would be no more video bought by the TC. It’s an easy buck because the profits don’t depend on quality but only on future student tuition. In few words new student are paying so the more experienced ones can make money. Just like Madoff did, the TC and Rosenblum pocket most of the money and only return a small percentage and have people like you blasting that there’s money to be made in order to convince others while in reality only the top of the Ponzi pyramid (more experienced photographers or insiders) are making any money at all.
Understand the similarity now? I am not accusing anyone of running a Ponzi scheme, I’m not a legal expert but I can read similarities and as an intelligent person who works really hard for his money I would investigate all the details and statistical information before writing a check based on promises. This is what everybody should do before paying anybody anything, investigate in depth.
This is why very few if any TCA graduates make any money outside the TC and the best they can hope is getting a free video on CNN, that’s what started this thread.
kenny October 27, 2009
An just to be informed, I checked out your website. Your stuff looks beautiful. I’m sure you get top dollar. Great. Hotels, restaurants and such. Really pretty stuff. That’s corporate industrials. But that’s not what Michael is talking about. It’s journalism. In journalism, you’re a dinosaur and your slow, sweeping pans of the sunset are boring. Today’s viewer is fast paced and reality TV trained. They don’t mind a shaky cam as long as there’s some action and movement. Heck, even the movie industry relies heavily on that style these days. Beautiful cinematography (and special FX, for that matter) are taking a backseat to intimate action and strong storyline with natural sound bytes.
You will probably always find work doing industrials, with your easy dolly shots and long shots of the waves washing up on the beach. But, the truth is, the trends in TV viewing these days are fast action, quick cuts, and in your face close up shots. That’s what the viewer wants and seriously, that actually does take less skill to shoot. Mare skill to edit, I believe, but it’s a young, fast-paced world where even high school kids are making feature films and have tons of experience, enormous creativity and energy out the wazoo.
Nino October 27, 2009
Thank you, I think there’s a compliment somewhere in there.
Professional organization hire me to conduct seminars, after 40 years in this business I have a lot of knowledge accumulated above my shoulders, so I’m going to give you a suggestion for free.
This is a business first, but photography is my profession and also my hobby, log into my web site in a few days and you’ll see a lot more, I’m also a still photographer.
What I show is not intended to make me feel good and I could fill hundreds of web pages with the work I’ve done over the years, I show what makes money for me, might be boring to you but you are not the one who will hire me. I show only what clients want to see because that’s the work they need. Now, before you call me a dinosaur, show me your web site and the work that you’ve done outside the TCA.
The kind of work produced by TCA graduates I don’t even consider work, my wife does a better job with her small video camera on our kids birthdays.
Nino October 27, 2009
Thank you, I think there’s a compliment somewhere in there.
Professional organization hire me to conduct seminars, after 40 years in this business I have a lot of knowledge accumulated above my shoulders, so I’m going to give you a suggestion for free.
This is a business first, but photography is my profession and also my hobby, log into my web site in a few days and you’ll see a lot more, I’m also a still photographer.
What I show is not intended to make me feel good and I could fill hundreds of web pages with the work I’ve done over the years, I show what makes money for me, might be boring to you but you are not the one who will hire me. I show only what clients want to see because that’s the work they need. Now, before you call me a dinosaur, show me your web site and the work that you’ve done outside the TCA.
The kind of work produced by TCA graduates I don’t even consider work, my wife does a better job with her small video camera on our kids birthdays.
And about the trends in TV that you are talking, ESPN is my biggest client, I average 180 days a years for them alone, who are your TV clients that accept your kind of work?
kenny October 27, 2009
Okay Nino,
I looked you up on this site, read a couple of posts, and got a sense of your problem with Michael. He keeps saying that people like you (shooters) will be replaced by VJs and you keep saying that’s malarky. Well, sir, welcome to the future. Because the future is NOW.
A friend of mine works at the local ABC affiliate. Huge company. Big affiliate. They used to have high paid cameramen go out with their reporters. They used to have high paid editors to cut those spots. In today’s economy, the belt is tightening on everyone. The 5 cameramen are gone. The 4 editors are gone. The reporters are now the VJs. They write the story, take a small camera to the scene, set it up on a tripod, do all the interviews, cutaways and b-roll in their make up and pressed suits, then go back to their computer and cut it all together for the evening news. And this is happening nationwide. If journalism is your bread & butter, I’d be grateful if I was you to still have a job, but seriously consider alternatives like advertising, making corporate promotional videos or maybe using your skill to make movies. Because times are tough and even the big boys are hiring the “good enough” talent that can learn on the job.
And, if you’re wondering about me, I’ve been an independent producer for years. I’ve won Addys, Communicators, an Emmy, iParenting Media award and such. I’ve been paid thousands and thousands for short, 3 minute videos. I have a studio, multiple HD cams, jibs, full lighting, grip and sound packages. And you know what I go on most shoots with these days? A backpack with my camera, some batteries and an on-camera light. That’s most of my work. I still do bigger shoots with more equipment and crew, but the diversity of being a VJ has allowed me more income and fun gigs in between bigger projects.
It’s happening. It may upset you, but it’s happening right now.
kenny October 27, 2009
I find it funny that, on the one hand, you say you’re not interested in hearing how much I made, but in the next paragraph, you say the only question that you’ll ask everyone is how much they made. No wonder you’re so frustrated. You have no idea what you want. So I realize that I can never give it to you. But, here’s a try anyway.
I don’t know all the TCA grads, but I do know a few that have done work for the TC. Feel free to contact them yourself and ask them whatever you want…though if a stranger asked me how much money I made, I’d think “Who the h*ll are you? Why do you want to know?” and “None of your d@mn business!” Money is weird that way, regardless of TCA or what have you. It’s unlikely most people would tell their family & friends exact figures, let alone a total stranger with his own agenda. A better question may be “Do you think taking the TCA course was worthwhile?” I think you’ll get some much more honest responses from that one. Of course, I would say “yes” to that question, as I learned a lot, traveled a lot, made great contacts, new friends and a lot of loot. You want a reel? Well, here’s what I could find in a few minutes.
customsites.yahoo.com/VZWTravel/
(the above has 8 videos, mostly TCA grads. Mine is the Bahamas)
duzertv.com
scottgorman.com
rachellelucas.com
chriskohatsu.com
brianknappenberger.com
go.travelchannel.com
(that is actually an application for web enabled phones. Most of the videos there are made by TCA grads. I did 20 on Miami and 20 on the Keys. The Keys aren’t up there yet, but they will be.)
And I did a 7 minute spot on Panama City Beach for TC’s TV special, “Ultimate Spring Break”.
I did more stuff, but they’re not up yet. Word on the street is that TC is totally revamping their website and it should be launched in December.
Also, google “allison otto”. Her site seems to be down right now, but I know she’s produced a ton of stuff for TC and others. You’ll find her name on matador and other sites that buy content.
Let us know what you find out. You want more, google “Travel Channel Academy Graduate” like I did and you’ll find bunches.
And by the way, why the heck do you care? Did you take the course? Are you trying to “warn” others about it for some reason? Well, you don’t have the facts. You don’t have the views of all the folks who HAVE taken the course. And, there’s no way anyone is going to supply you with contact information on all of the TCA grads. Don’t be naive. It’s called a “privacy policy.” Companies don’t give out personal information like that. It’s a breach of trust and, oftentimes, a breach of contract.
kenny October 27, 2009
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kenny October 25, 2009
I took the course last June and I’ve been commissioned to do about 50 videos for the Travel Channel so far. I’ve actually made some serious dough this year. Most of the stuff is for the web or their new cell phone format, but I also produced a 7 minute spot for Travel Channel TV. I personally know of about a dozen TCA grads that have made more than tenfold what they’ve invested in the course. Some people have done far better. But it IS hard to find who these folks are. The TCA “Alumni Portfolio” talks about ONE success story. If you’re a TCA grad, you can log in to the “Alumni Hub” and there’s an updated list of success stories. I don’t know why they don’t make that public.
No, a dozen success stories out of the hundreds and hundreds (thousands?) of people that have taken the course isn’t a huge percentage, but isn’t it like that with any course or college? I mean, how many people that graduate from Yale are successful lawyers? All the knowledge in the world isn’t going to get you money if you don’t apply your skills and market yourself. And, oh yeah, THIS particular field requires artistic talent as well is order to be successful- something they can’t teach at TCA…or anywhere else. You have to have it or discover it yourself. It was funny how many people in my class we’re doing this on a lark, just for the fun of it. They had no intention of becoming travel journalists. Must be nice. Wish I had that kinda dough to just play around with. So, the class is the base. It does not guarantee you work. That’s up to you. Submit a few spots so they see your skills. Learn more and hone your creative eye if necessary. If TC isn’t biting, go to one of the numerous online travel sites that buy content and submit there. Like anything in life, it takes perseverance. And hard work. Few are willing to go the extra mile. (And spend the money on camera and editing equipment-the tools of the trade).
I took the course, loved it, learned a lot, schmoozed with executives from the Travel Channel, made a ton of money and got clout that is helping me secure other business.
Want a success story? Here I am. Hi.
Nino October 26, 2009
Let me explain something to you, if you don’t already know it. Actually let me ask you a question first, “how many people are making money outside the Travel Channel from training received at the Travel Channel?â€
TC must show that somebody is earning money from those courses or there will be hundreds of lawsuits that can put them out of business, so what they have cleverly done is to take a small percentage of the tuition that you guys pay and give it right back to some of you creating the illusion that you became good enough to earn money; try to make it outside the TC umbrella and see what happen. Keeping in mind that this thread started as a TCA graduate was able to get a video “for free” on CNN.
From Michael past post the amount set aside looks like is 5 to 10% of the tuition. Meaning that so far they’ve made over 2.5 millions and their payback to those who paid for the courses is about $250,000 at the most, actually I believe Michael mentioned $100,000 in one of his posts. The reason is that the TC Academy slogan says “Learn, Shoot, Earn. The key word here is “earnâ€, they have to prove that’s earnings derived from the course or they would be in really deep trouble. The opportunity to “Earn†is why people takes the course because if all you want to know is how to create decent videos and you have a half an ounce of brain you can find all that you need to know and much more in any video tutorial books at Borders for $20, or even better you can learn at your local vocational adult education in your community.
kenny October 26, 2009
Hey Nino…
Not sure where you’re getting your numbers, but I know for a fact that what folks have earned is waaaay more than the quarter million mark you mentioned. I know the people. I know their projects. I don’t know what kind of proof you’re looking for…I don’t think anyone wants to show you their tax return, but, trust me, the cash is-a-rollin.
You seem to make a big deal about “earning money outside of Travel Channel.” Who cares? First, the money spends the same. Also, I’m honored to have my stuff on international television and the website of a respected international broadcaster. And, from the experiences I’m traveling, honing my craft, making contacts and, yes, getting other well-paying gigs. (That’s “outside of the TC” if you’re taking notes.) It’s a huge boon to my business to say that I’ve produced for the Travel Channel. What the heck do you want? International fame & fortune the day you walk out of class? Well, there IS the guy that took what he learned and produced a pilot that was picked up and is now being produced as a reality cop series.
Learn from a book or adult education classes? Well, no, actually. What they teach you at TCA is very specific. It’s how to make travel journalism videos for the web and TV. It’s a style. A style that is very popular right now and super easy to do, once you understand it. And, the REALLY important thing is that it’s a style that TC will pay you for. The most important thing in any business is knowing what your customer wants. Here, Michael is telling you exactly what TC wants and how to give it to them. And the TC execs are right there in front of you agreeing. There’s no guesswork. That one piece of information is worth the entire course. And then they train you in exactly how to deliver that style.
Okay, let’s recap. I’ve shown you success with myself and many others I know. I’ve given dollar amounts and assured you that it far exceeds your estimates. I’ve explained the benefits of the course vs. trying to learn or acquire this information on your own. And I’ve shown that having taken the course gets you more business and better paying gigs in general.
I refuted every problem you seem to have with this course and these people. So, you should be happy, right? That’s what you wanted-for the TCA course to be of value? It is very valuable.
Then why are you still talking?
Nino October 26, 2009
Please Kenny, don’t blow smoke in my eyes, I’ve been doing this long before most people here were born, I’ve seen the work coming out of the TCA.
This is the same BS that Michael has been passing around for the last six years.
We are not at all interested in seeing the tax returns or hearing how much money you made. Success in this business is demonstrated with your work, this is a visual business and the only way to show what you can do is with something called a “demo reel”, this is a proof that you are not a fake, this is real work done, this is where you show samples of your work and your skills, and most important shows the type of clients that regarded your work good enough to write checks for.
Let’s see the demo reels of graduates from the TCA
This is showbiz, show it not say it, talk (writing) is cheap.
I tell you what, I can save you and Michael a lot of work. You give me the list of the thousand of graduates of TCA and I conduct a survey at my own expenses, I hire people to do that. I will only ask one question.
“How much money did you earn from what you’ve learned from the TCA”
How’s that for a good deal, now you can have some real statistical information to finally tell your critics to shut up, but until then you’re only blowing smoke.
Austin Beeman October 24, 2009
I for one have received some $$$ from the course. I sold the first video I submitted to Travel Channel. 1 for 1. And I’m a ‘very part-time’ video producer. If I was producing content everyday, I would certainly be profitable by now. Michael is teaching us ‘how to write in video,’ but it is our skill that will result in payback. Or not.
Michael Rosenblum October 23, 2009
And it pays better than the comedy channel as well!
Nino October 23, 2009
Glad to be back Michael. I tried the comedy channel but it doesn’t do it for me anymore, this is the only place that I can escape reality and get a good laugh, and lately your posts and the replies you’ve been getting have been hysterical, kind of a combination between science fiction, fantasy and dark humor; you should script it.
Michael Rosenblum October 23, 2009
Ah, Nino
I was going to post on b-roll wondering if you were OK, it has been so long since we heard from you. Glad to see that you are still an avid reader.
pencilgod October 23, 2009
And misquoting my fave Banksy quote 🙂
Tyler October 23, 2009
Nino, Digger,
I suggest you guys try a paparazzi blog. There will plenty of “get rich” stories about up and coming photo-journalists getting their first celebrity nipple shot, etc…
Nino October 23, 2009
Tyler, I’m sure you realize that you just handed Michael his next million. In a few weeks you’ll see the National Enquirer and Mike conducting PJ classes (Paparazzi Journalists) for $2500 each.
Oh boy, why didn’t I think of that.
Nino October 23, 2009
“a guy spends $5000 (?) doing a course – gets a pat on the head from CNN and that’s a success? Where is the entrepreneurial logic in that?
How about a couple of stories about the people who actually have some $$$ takeaway? There must be hundreds surely?”
Hey man, who the hell do you think you are cutting in front of the line, there are dozens of people ahead of you that have been asking Mike the very same question for years and are still waiting for an answer, take a number and wait your turn.
Sorry Mike, I thought I had the situation under control.
digger October 23, 2009
“All journalists are willing to suffer for their work. But why are so few prepared to learn to spell?” – Bjanksy
a guy spends $5000 (?) doing a course – gets a pat on the head from CNN and that’s a success? Where is the entrepreneurial logic in that?
How about a couple of stories about the people who actually have some $$$ takeaway? There must be hundreds surely?
ealfredo October 25, 2009
I’m an artist, not a speller. Like Michael says…”Any idiot can do this”.