Since 1934, the well-worn stage at The Apollo Theater has been one of the world's greatest launching pads for phenomenal talent, catapulting the likes of James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald to international stardom.

Thousands of contestants audition each year, with the hopes of facing the famously mean Apollo audience, described "like a bunch of pit bulls eating raw meat." Judged by the length of their cheers — or the depths of their boos — these contestants put more than their pride on the line in the hope of becoming famous.

In An Apollo Legend, we meet two such hopefuls, who share their beliefs about their own talent, as well as their determination to succeed. What does it take to get up on that stage? And could just facing the crowd be success in itself?

An Apollo Legend is a product of the MediaStorm Storytelling Workshop, where participants work alongside MediaStorm staff to create an intimate, character-driven documentary in just one week. Learn more about upcoming MediaStorm workshops and online training at mediastorm.com/train.

Ricky Montalvo, Reporting and Editing

As a video producer who edits traditional packages for the web that have a broadcast style elements, I was invigorated after attending the MediaStorm workshop. Why? Because storytelling for the internet needs new practices for rich visual media, one that successfully captures the senses with audio, photography and video. 

I walked away after 7 days with new knowledge in areas of storytelling and reporting. I simply cannot wait to begin to use these creative techniques in the future. 

The web is ever changing faster than any other medium and MediaStorm understands that, but more importantly, they want you to learn it. From the instructors, staff, and hands-on work, there is no stone unturned.

Bernadette Tuazon, Reporting and Editing

For seven sleep-deprived days, MediaStorm drilled in me the importance of story structure: strong narrative, good characters, high-impact visuals and audio. Short of one of these elements and you will lose your audience.

When you are out in the field and about to fall off the cliff, the producers are there to provide an immediate editorial lifeline. Whether it be straightening out your tripod or unruly FCP sequences, the on-the-spot tips are golden.

Upon returning to work, I felt that it would really be magical if this is the job 24/7. Pure journalism, new and old.

Evan Vucci, Reporting and Editing

The MediaStorm Multimedia Workshop was a great opportunity to learn from some of the best producers in the business. It taught me to think of the story from a totally different mindset. 

It was great to learn the technical skills to produce multimedia, but even better to learn about the approach to each story. To blend the power of still photography, audio, and video in a thoughtful and meaningful way is the lesson I'll take away from the workshop. I walk away inspired, and ready to apply the lessons learned at MediaStorm to my work.

MediaStorm online training videos provide essential tools and techniques proven to enhance production and post-production. Created from years of live training experience, the online training videos provide useful tips no matter what your role.

MediaStorm's award-winning team of producers and cinematographers lead the online training videos with lessons learned from their experience producing films and training groups and organizations around the world.