THE EMPIRE STATE MEDIA + TECHNOLOGY LAB
A Nerdmaker initiative bridging the gap between experiential creative education and industry employment. We train the next generation of New York creators at the intersection of media, storytelling, and emerging technology.
FROM HANDS ON TRAINING
TO CAREERS
The Empire State Media + Technology Lab is designed to address one of the most persistent problems facing emerging creative professionals: How do you get professional experience before someone will hire you to get professional experience?
The Lab creates an intermediary space where participants can work on ambitious multidisciplinary projects under structured educational supervision while developing the skills, portfolios and relationships necessary to move toward professional employment.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN NEW YORK AND BEYOND
The Lab is being designed as a long-term pipeline connecting emerging talent with New York’s film, television, gaming, digital-media and creative-technology industries, as well as those in Los Angeles, CA, the United States and the world.
- Prepare emerging creators for production employment
- Create pathways between education and industry
- Increase access to practical media training
- Develop talent outside traditional production centers
- Connect students with New York employers
- Support production activity in Upstate New York
- Build multidisciplinary technical and creative skills
- Help participants transition from education into paid creative work
THE LAB MODEL
LEARN
Participants receive instruction, mentorship and exposure to professional workflows.
MAKE
Skills are applied through collaborative hands on media projects and production challenges.
BUILD
Participants develop portfolio pieces, production credits and demonstrable technical experience.
CONNECT
Industry professionals, educators and partner organizations provide mentorship and professional exposure.
WORK
Participants transition toward paid internships, freelance opportunities, production positions and creative-industry careers.
TRAINING AREAS
Film + Production
Pre-production, production workflows, production design, editing, sound, visual development and crew fundamentals.
Games + Interactive Media
Game development, interactive narrative, worldbuilding, digital asset creation and audience interaction.
3D + Digital Fabrication
3D printing, digital modeling, prototyping, practical fabrication and production applications, prop design, toy design.
Emerging Technology
Exploration of new tools shaping creative production, including artificial intelligence, immersive media and evolving digital workflows.
Entertainment Marketing
Audience strategy, social content, campaign development, creative strategy and entertainment branding.
Transmedia Storytelling
Building narrative experiences that connect film, games, digital platforms, physical media and audience participation.
Writing + Development
Screenwriting, story development, research, worldbuilding and collaborative creative development.
Art + Animation + Design
Concept art, character design, illustration, storyboards, graphic design, color theory, 2D + 3D animation