contributed by James Ledoux [IT training consultant / travel enthusiast / dancing machine]


The age old dilemma in finding a good job is “how do you get experience without experience?” This catch-22 is especially true in the technologically-dense mediums of film, design, and visual effects. Employers are seeking applicants with proven experience as they don’t want to pay to teach them how to perform the tasks that they need done. Furthermore, even if they wanted to help them learn their craft, with ever tightening budgets and timelines, there just isn’t time.

Membership Has Its Privileges

The Pixel Corps wants to change that. In fact, this fresh-faced group wants to change the world. The self-described “guild” is an organization that vehemently tackles the common predicament of Lack of Experience vs. Desire for Experience. Though the association is geared toward digital media, we can only hope that the concept will spill over into other fields.

A loose collection of digital professionals, the Pixel Corps offers its members over 100 hours of training, skill building challenges, access to $40,000 worth of software, focused sub-groups, and global networking to help support the 21st century digital “craftsmen”.

As you might imagine, this novel approach is paying off nicely for its members. While at the Pixel Corps podcasting Gear Media Tech conference, I met several members who had used the training and challenges to move into paid 3D animation positions, as well as other production jobs.


On The Cutting Edge Of New Media

If you are not familiar with some of the Pixel Corps work, then check out some of the audio and video podcasts they produce on pixelcorp.tv. Their show MacBreak is shot in high definition using green screen technology. This flagship show is produced to push their R&D (research and development) to figure out how to create quality high definition content on affordable, prosumer (professional / consumer) level gear. Web celebs Leo Laporte of twit.tv and (our friend) Merlin Mann of 43folders are regular hosts.

Though much of the initial work that the Pixel Corps members do is done just to get experience and grow within the field, their hard work is beginning to pay off as they are now being flooded with requests to produce high definition shows for clients.

With the advent of the Apple TV and other such devices, it is now possible for you to produce and publish content that will go head-to-head with Old Media. Now podcasts can be just another channel you watch or listen to as you see fit, and Pixel Corps can help you learn how to produce that content with their IPTV/Podcasting group. Why watch stale network programming when you can seek out independent content about things you really care about?


Spreading The Wealth

Aside from helping to get you a job, the Pixel Corps has a larger goal: To share this information globally. The Pixel Corps has active members in 37 nations and is building a global network to help tackle poverty and other issues head-on.

Not only does this approach help developing nations build their economies, but it also is helping to put the Pixel Corps and its members right on par with Old Media. By using a distributed pipeline of editors, designers, and artists, the Pixel Corps can offer 1080 P HDTV content for a fraction of the cost.

Chief Architect Alex Lindsay regularly goes to Africa and is about to take off for a six-week trip to Zimbabwe. During the Gear Media Conference in April, Alex mentioned in passing that the Pixel Corps will be looking for members to live, work, and explore exotic places such as Africa as it spreads the love worldwide.


But Wait – There’s More!

The Pixel Corps is offering a summer special for new members. The price is $50 for three (3) months starting May 1^st. (It’s normally $50 per month or $150 for the summer). Use the coupon code PXC50 to save big while you pimp your skills / résumé over the summer. For more details, see the Pixel Corps sign-up page. And who knows, you might just end up changing the world – one pixel at a time.