In an age where everything is online, why do students still choose to study at a school?

Go on any VFX forum and you’ll find some Frederick-type saying:
“It’s not about school. Just build a great demo reel. That’s all that matters.”

So you try.

You spend six months building your reel, applying to jobs.

Maybe you get one or two interviews.

But by and large, you’re shut out.

Now disillusioned, you start to wonder:
Is this industry rigged? Is it just too hard? Or… do I need school after all?

So you start looking.

And every school flashes prestige, name-dropping famous alumni:
"You could be the next one."

But when you get there, you realize;
whoever built that program left years ago.

You’re living in the afterglow of someone else’s fire.
Still, you try.

Some of you make it. Some of you win.

Most don’t.

Then you hear another refrain:

Schools are just cash grabs. They take your money, toss you into a saturated industry, and move on to the next cohort.

And after a few years of grinding, maybe you burn out.

Maybe you walk away.

And the cycle resets.

Meanwhile, schools replace bold instructors with obedient ones.

Not better teachers, just safer bets.

People who won’t rock the boat.
Because they can’t afford to lose the paycheck.

And eventually, someone says:

“Enough.”

I said enough.

I quietly reached out to a few former students; people who had a gift for helping others grow.

I gave them equity. And said:
Let’s do this the right way.

Let’s help students actually get the jobs and career they want.

Even if the market isn’t in their favor, they’ll still have access to everything Alpha Chromatica

I know this struggle.

I’ve seen how hard it is, especially for my peers and international students.

And despite all that, I still managed a 98.7% placement rate for 13 years.

Not because I’m exceptional.
Far from it.

What made the difference?
I gave a damn.