Bruce Montgomery- Leader of the New School
photo by steed media service
Director of Industry Relations, Flashpoint Academy
It's the lights, the action, and everything else innovative that makes Chicago's newest college the main attraction. Flashpoint Academy will officially open its classrooms this fall, and this school is equivalent to a two-year crash course in digital entertainment. "We're really doing something that is new in the country," says Bruce Montgomery, the director of industry relations. "We are bringing the environments of digital filmmaking, audio recording, and game design under one roof. One thing that is evident about entertainment today is that everything is about collaboration."
The school will also combine book knowledge with hands-on experience under their educational umbrella, as Montgomery is committed to being the professional liaison between the students and their futures in entertainment. "My role is to partner with phenomenal organizations [within] the film studios, the advertising agencies and recording companies," he asserts. "We're hearing already that the big-name companies have job openings in this field."
With high expectations for the future of the institution, Montgomery believes that Flashpoint's mission will put their students a step ahead of other undergraduates who pursue a traditional 4-year degree. "Our ultimate goal is to have students ready to hit the ground running, working in the profession of their choice," he explains. "So, when they finish the program, not only will they have a portfolio, but they will be able to move right into key job opportunities in digital media. -Jamana Jamison