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Subject: Re: [AE] Private training questions
From: Rick Gerard <ae@mstrg.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-5463450@media-motion.tv>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 13:31:26 -0700
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Message-Id: <4D8550E3-3BEE-4B03-8A39-E01D9BD93367@mstrg.com>
References: <list-5463450@media-motion.tv>
To: After Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv>
Sender:  Rick Gerard <ae@mstrg.com>

I have been using AE for more than 20 years (from version 1) and started =
producing tutorials for Creative Cow in 1996. I have taught small groups =
of 10 or less in classroom situations in 3 day intensive sessions on =
various techniques. I also have given lectures and demos to audiences up =
to 500 participants. Occasionally I have been brought in to various =
production studios and corporate video production facilities to provide =
one on one mentoring to help them with specific projects or to institute =
a better production workflow.=20

Subjects have ranged from getting started to advanced keying and =
compositing, to camera tracking and background replacement and =
everything in between. The fees depend on the size of the audience, the =
subject matter covered, and the materials provided to the students.  =
Occasionally teaching AE and production techniques has given me a little =
supplemental income, but the real money made in training only happens =
when you have some really good credentials and some corporate backing. =
Take for example, Vincent Laforet's Directing Motion Tour. See the =
trailer here:

https://vimeo.com/90867151

$295 per person, 30 to 60 participants per city / 32 cities Plus DVD =
sales and other materials and sponsorships. There=92s good money to be =
made giving lectures and demos if you have the credentials and =
reputation to go with it.=20

When you are just starting out you will be lucky to find much work that =
pays much more than your expenses getting to the venue. The key to =
making a living, or supplementing your living with training in any field =
is to be enough of an expert that your classes are in demand. Just =
knowing how do do something and having a decent reel on YouTube isn=92t =
going to do much.=20

Rick Gerard
VFX / DP
Sacramento, CA=