Le Bal de Ballet in Denver featuring Matt Tullman as one of the Young Men of Distinction

Important Articles on Collection Artists Jaime Valero and Scott Prior in American Art Collector

Great New Article on Flashpoint Appears Today on REELCHICAGO.COM by Ruth Ratny

Flashpoint, an innovative concept in digital arts education, to open state-of-the-art Loop campus


Howard Tullman, the force behind new Flashpoint


A school as advanced as the digital arts and entertainment technologies being taught will open Sept. 17 in the historical Burnham building in the heart of Chicago's Loop.

Flashpoint, the Academy of Media Arts & Sciences will offer aggressive 40 hour, two-year programs focused on preparing students for jobs in the trillion-dollar digital entertainment industry.

Mayor Daley has been invited to walk across the street to from City Hall and cut the ribbon to the revolutionary new school, said Howard A. Tullman, a legendary figure in high-tech ventures who led the school’s $15 million funding.

What makes the school breakthrough is its intense focus on only four inter-related disciplines in the ever-evolving, trillion dollar digital entertainment industry—Game Development, Computer Animation, Recording Arts and Film Production—in stark contrast with some visual arts schools that offer more than 100 courses.

Flashpoint is structured for “individuals with a passion for anything digital and a desire for creative expression,” Tullman said, himself a super successful creative pioneer in games, music and digital entertainment.

Tullman is President/CEO and Ric Landry, an early stage business investor who brought the school concept to Tullman via a mutual connection, is board chairman and will be actively involved in recruiting students for the school.

Academic Dean Paula Froehle joined Flashpoint last month. A former tenured Columbia College film professor, who also had taught Filmmaking at the Art Institute, is an acclaimed filmmaker.

More than seven million dollar is being spent to shape a sleek, contemporary working facility from the ground-up. Completion is expected by Sept. 15.

“We’ve engineered our departments to simulate the industries our students will ultimately work in, not as a traditional school,” said Tullman, as he displayed a staggering amount of space under construction—70,000 sq. ft. over two and a half floors.

Designed by the architectural firm of Valario Dewalt Train Associates, the facility will boast the most advanced state-of-the-art technology throughout—in classrooms, computer labs, recording facilities, Avid edit suites, mixing rooms, multiple sound stages, a theatre-like screening room, a motion capture studio, an information commons and student lounges.

Flashpoint has a long-term lease on what ultimately will be a six floor campus. Sound stages will be developed on three additional floors and Flashpoint will utilize the stages at Resolution Digital Studios until they are completed.

The object of such an imposing physical plant is to expose students to real-time professional working environments, Tullman said.


Artists rendering of Flashpoint’s lobby

Flashpoint appeals to a different kind of student Based on her 17 years of teaching experience, Froehle believes Flashpoint’s focused, accelerated curriculum is “ideally suited for individuals for whom a traditional four-year college education doesn’t make sense, or maybe they got to a place that wasn’t the best road for them.”

Through her own struggles as teacher, Froehle said she “believes there’s a better way of preparing students to go out in the world and give them the tools they need to step into jobs,” like those at Flashpoint.

The corporate world, for one, has “significant demand” for the highly trained individual Flashpoint will turn out, said Tullman.

He has also arranged with two of the world’s biggest companies, Electronic Arts games and Critical Mass interactive agency, “to will help Flashpoint with placement and have students work there.”

He anticipates more such companies in need of fresh, new talent will follow suit. “The industry tells us, we want to put them in chairs.”

Roughly 25 courses per each of the four disciplines will be taught by department heads and professionals who will provide the real-life, hands-on mentoring Froehle said she found lacking in traditional colleges.

The key faculty members, who also teach, are:

Simeon Peebler, Gaming Program Chair, who has developed many games through his own company

Perry Harovas, Computer Animation Program Chair, who has taught at New York University, and is moving from Connecticut

John Murray, Recording Arts Program Chair, a former Columbia College instructor for 12 years—“His approach to sound-for- pictures is an example of the integration of disciplines the academy advocates,” noted Froehle.

Peter Hawley, Film Program Associate Chair, taught at Columbia College and is a producer of independent films

Tuition is competitive, Tullman said, and some assistance is available. A tour for prospective students, parents, teachers and counselors will be held Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m. to noon at the school, located at 28 N. Clark St. RSVP to lindsay.drucker@flashpointacademy.com or phone 312/332-0707.

To set up an interview, phone Mary Owczarski, at 312/332-0707, or Email mary.owczarski@flashpointacademy.com. See www.tfa.edu*  —Ruth L Ratny

*Updated 7/9/12

DRIVE TIME INTERVIEW WITH DON AND ROMA ON WLS

I had a nice opportunity to chat about Flashpoint this morning with Don and Roma on their WLS radio show. Hopefully, we'll get a chance for them to stop by the Flashpoint campus soon. You can hear the whole interview by clicking on the link below:

http://mfile.akamai.com/21880/wmv/cmfour.download.akamai.com/21880/wm.communications-four/7235Management/7350_Howard_Tullman.asx

or simply click on the title to this post.

WTTW BOARD HONORS CHEF RICK BAYLESS

The WTTW Board honored Rick Bayless at a recent meeting for his continuing contribution to WTTW's programming and also for his restaurant's selection as the best in the United States. Dan Schmidt presented Rick with a special apron and Rick told the group about his adventures at the James Beard award ceremonies.

Newest Flashpoint Ad for Chicago Magazine

Flashpoint Construction Update as of June 20

Gee Whiz Room





Screening Room








First Floor Lobby Space





Info Commons





Main Entry on 5th Floor





Other Hallway Shots, etc.








Control Rooms and Studios

Speech at Web Content 2007

I had an opportunity to be one of the Keynote Speakers at an interesting web content conference created and produced by Michael Silverman, CEO of Duo:Consulting, in Chicago. More than 100 people from a very diverse group of businesses attended the two-day event which I expect will become an annual deal. Congrats to Michael and his team on pulling it off so well for a first-time program.




A Couple of Nice Reviews

Session: Lunch: Managing Radical Change in Turbulent Times »
Description

Today’s most exciting businesses and markets are no longer characterized by incremental change or ratable evolution. We live in a time of radical obsolescence where current products and services of considerable value and utility can become essentially useless and worthless overnight. This presentation is about managing the radical organizational changes which will be increasingly necessary for any business which wishes to remain competitive in tomorrow’s marketplaces.


Session Details
Speakers: Howard Tullman

Date: Monday, June 18, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Reviews

By: Ms Emma Hamer
on Jun 26 2007
at 04:15 PM PDT

Clarity beats obfuscation any day

What to say - where to start. I absolutely LOVED Howard's lunchtime keynote. So much - I forgot to eat. But there was so much food for the mind, and food for thought, that I didn't care. This was one session - in fact the only session in my entire career - where I regretted not having learned Stenography. If I could have written down every word, I would have. I now have a treasure trove of "Howard's One-Liners" to keep me and my clients happy for years!
Fascinating to hear someone walk the walk, and not just talk about radical change. And for some reason, Howard reminds me of Henry Winckler ... looks a bit like him, too.

By: Mr. David Esrati
on Jun 20 2007
at 07:15 PM PDT

Real world experience from a pro

Can't wait for the book- but, a fascinating look at how to turn an organization around. It's clear that Howard knows how to get the most out of the social capital of any organization- even one that's failed.
Well worth hearing.