Tyler Cote's Page

First Name:

Tyler

Last Name:

Cote

Hometown:

Mont Vernon, NH

School/Organization Name:

On The Hill Studios

Job Title:

Founder

City:

Fountain Valley

State:

CA

My Story:

My story you say... Hmmm.. Here are some bits and pieces for you to chew on:

From a young age I was introduced to alternative education. With no desire for team sports, my parents wanted to find other topics that I could generate interest in. Art is where most of the focus went. I learned how to create pottery, wood carve, and work with computer graphics at a very young age. This artistic desire led me to working in the theater department in high school where I worked on lighting and other technical/creative aspects of the productions. I also started realizing around this same time that film had a big influence and my life, so I started making independent productions with friends. Learning by doing is the overlaying theme here. This is how I function.

2001-2002 Junior year of high school I entered a program called "LEEP" and it's basis was set around the idea of creating your own educational plan. This was a new concept for me, so I took it easy and built a one credit program for myself. I loved it so much that I continued it the following year...

2002-2003 Senior year of high school I took control of my education 100%. I created an 8 credit program (3 more than required), that allowed me to gain so many important life skills as well as collect the states standards. This is what I had created;

I attended MC2 a, "School of Choice", created by Kim Carter. This is where I got the support and resources for implementing the other aspects of my customized learning plan for the year.

I set up an internship with documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns. Here I gained industry experience and know-how. I loved it so much that after high school I continued my education in Film and Digital Media. I now work as a visual effects artist for a studio in Hollywood. We are currently working on the squeal to Spielberg's "Band of Brothers", entitled "The Pacific".

While at MC2 I went on two wilderness experiences, one in VT and the other in AZ. In recent years I took on the task of leading two trips in AZ. These trips generated even more personal growth.

I also was interested in learning about taxes, so I took a 170 hour H&R Block tax course. After the course, I worked for the company during the tax season. I not only learned about finances, but also about age discrimination. To this day, I apply my knowledge of taxes to my personal life as well as help those around me when they have questions on the subject.

I created my own English course that was based solely around my favorite topic; Film. I had a mentor that I met with weekly. In that one year, I wrote more papers and read more books then the three years prior. And because it was important to me, I retained the information and use it on a daily basis for my current job.

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I packed my bags and drove to CA where I attended an accelerated program for Digital Media for FIlm, TV, and game design. It was hands on, direct and to the point. This is my favorite type of learning. We were taught by successful industry artists and given projects that emulated real studio situations. After 3 years, I walked away with a bachelor's degree in Animation and Visual Effects. Once again I packed my bags and moved from San Francisco to LA. This is where I started working at my current "job". I call it a job, but it feels more like play.

My Ideal School is a Place Where:

Grades don't matter, and where the learning experience itself is most valued. I deeply feel that when a student is comfortable with their surroundings that they are willing to do more, learn more, voice more.

INTERNSHIPS! Allowing students to go out and get a taste of the world is the most valuable thing in my idea school.

Reminding educators, staff, students, parents, and community members that school is a place to learn and make mistakes in a safe environment. If they were great at everything, then they wouldn't need school.

Most importantly, my ideal school would be so dynamic in form that not one single person would be able to describe it to a tee. This is important, because I don't believe in cookie cutter systems.

My Religious Views:

agnostic

My Political Views:

Liberal

My Favorite Freedom:

Press

My Personal Heroes:

Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger

My Personal Motto:

Positive Thinking Renders Positive Results

My Favorite Journey:

Self

Recommended Web sites:

Ted.com

Quotable:

"In the Middle of Difficulty Lies Opportunity"
-Mr. Albert E.

"I am intolerant to those who tolerate.... We all must except each other with no thought behind it."
-self