Launched in 1994; Company commemorates a decade and a half of digital media training and education excellence
New York, NY – July 22, 2009 – Future Media Concepts (FMC), the premier authorized digital media training organization for postproduction, broadcast, and content creators, today announced the 15th anniversary of the company and its state-of-the-art training facilities.
The FMC initiative began in the early 1990’s, after a shift in editing methodology prompted the launch of the Avid® Media Composer®. Introduced in 1989 at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference, the new Avid system was the industry’s first digital non-linear editing solution. The technology spawned a new era of long form non-linear editing; thus replacing videotape and 35mm equipment. The excitement generated from the Avid editing milestone prompted co-founders Jeff Rothberg and Ben Kozuch to open FMC in New York City - the world’s first Avid Authorized Training Center.
With Ben Kozuch as the sole instructor, the newly established facility offered intense three-day and advanced two-day Avid certification courses; hosting a variety of students from editing boutiques, advertising agencies and postproduction facilities. “The sudden shift in technology was incomprehensible for many and required a unique training approach to help editors to adapt to the new digital workflow. FMC had that unique combination of being fluent in postproduction concepts and savvy with emerging digital technology,” said Ben Kozuch, co-founder, Future Media Concepts. “In the early days this combination of skills reached beyond training. I was contacted by sales agents many times to help demonstrate to potential customers both the technical and industry benefits of the new non-linear editing digital workflow.”
A major breakthrough took place in 1994 when over 75 employees from NBA Entertainment in Secaucus, NJ requested training from FMC. Embracing the new trend in digital editing, they adopted the innovative Avid Media Composer, which resulted in the immediate need for training in both non-linear editing workflow concepts and digital technology. FMC instructed the NBA staff through written manuals, outlining the step-by-step transition from offline to online workflows. Due to space limitation, the classes were apportioned over several months, setting a major precedent for future training courses. Following completion of the elongated NBA Entertainment training, FMC instated a classroom capacity of 6 students; establishing their present guarantee of small class sizes for optimal learning.
As postproduction and broadcast technology continued to rapidly evolve throughout the 1990’s, Authorized Training Programs became more commonplace. With a highly successful Avid Authorized Training practice established, it was a natural step for FMC to expand its course offerings and add authorized training for the highly popular Adobe®, Apple® and Quantel solutions. FMC also expanded geographically to meet the growing demand. In 1998, the first branch office opened in Boston; followed by additional offices in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. in 2001, Orlando in 2004, an international Dubai office in 2006, and Chicago in 2007.
“A wider acceptance of digital media technology undoubtedly fueled the need for FMC expansion in both manufacturer authorized course offerings and geographic locations,” said Jeff Rothberg, co-founder, Future Media Concepts. “With the explosive growth of both Adobe and Apple creative products, training was no longer considered a niche service. More and more Fortune 1000 companies began to embrace digital content creation technology; driving the demand for high-quality, accessible training beyond the traditional boarders of large new media production hubs like New York.”
Today, FMC’s array of training courses include Adobe, Apple, Avid, Autodesk, BorisFX, Digidesign®, NewTek®, and Softimage®: with certification options for Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and Avid. Although pricing varies by course and location; FMC is licensed in New York and Massachusetts to provide training grants through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Through WIA and FMC, prospective students have the opportunity to receive financial aid totaling up to $3,000 dollars. All FMC courses are taught by industry-recognized instructors in ultra-modern facilities that are equipped with the very latest in postproduction and broadcast technology.
Complementing the successful manufacturer authorized training operation is the FMC conference division. Launched in 2003, the FMC conference division offers a wide range of dynamic industry events. Its annual Digital Media Conference, held in DC, focuses on content creation for government, while the exclusive Editors Retreat caters to the master editor with workshops taught by industry thought-leaders. The tight partnership with NAB fashioned the creation of the FMC NAB Post|Production World Conference (Las Vegas) and Post|Production NY. Currently in its 5th year, the Post|Production Conference has developed into the world’s largest educational event for the digital media industry with over 2,000 attendees and 250 unique sessions per year.
FMC continues to grow its educational offerings and divisions. In August of 2009, FMC will launch its live, online training operation providing students from around the world global access to FMC courses and instructors.
To learn more about FMC including facility locations, instructor information and upcoming events, please visit http://www.FMCtraining.com.
About Future Media Concepts
In 1994, Jeff Rothberg and Ben Kozuch launched Future Media Concepts as the world's first Avid Authorized Training Center. Over the years, FMC expanded its curriculum to become the nation's premier digital media training organization representing the leading software manufacturers, including Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Boris FX, Digidesign, NewTek and Softimage.
FMC has established state-of-the-art training centers in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Orlando, Chicago and Dubai, with onsite training worldwide and online training classes. For more information regarding classes and upcoming events please visit http://www.FMCtraining.com.
Press Contact
To schedule a press briefing; please contact Kathleen Langlois or Janice Dolan at:
Zazil Media Group
Kathleen Langlois
(p) +1 413 374 7655
(email) kathleen@zazilmediagroup.com
Zazil Media Group
Janice Dolan
(p) +1 617 817 6595
(email) janice@zazilmediagroup.com
