Longtime Pelham resident Robert DePalma is turning from red carpets, creative direction and HBO productions to education. He’s using his extensive entertainment industry experience to teach kids how to use digital production technology at Cre8tor Incubator, a learning studio in Scarsdale he started six months ago with Grammy-nominated game designer Matty Kirsch and entrepreneur Dave Henderson.
“It wasn’t until recently that I realized I could actually teach what I do for a living,” said DePalma. The father of two said his son asked him to post video tutorials explaining how to work with a camera. “My nine-year-old inspired me to teach through YouTube.”
DePalma said the Cre8tor Incubator seeks to use a hands-on approach to learning by creating a program that introduces complicated material in a simple, easy-to-understand manner and focuses on digital media, content creation and online safety. The studio is equipped with professional equipment used in the entertainment industry. With the opening of Cre8tor Incubator, DePalma’s mission is to inspire young minds from the Westchester suburbs to make their dreams a reality.
He learned key life habits that led to his career shooting movie premieres and producing for HBO from his own mother, a seamstress who was detail-oriented and worked with great intention.
“Ever since I had my hands on a camera, I wanted to make sure my imagery was beautiful,” said DePalma.
He began his career as a wedding videographer. He gained experience working behind the camera, so much so that he would travel across the country to teach other aspiring videographers how to get the best shots.
DePalma eventually ended up working with HBO as a producer on “The Sopranos.” But DePalma said he wanted to go beyond producing.
“We worked with the actor Frank Vincent, who I met on ‘Sopranos,'” he said. “I worked with him on his own personal mission, which was to publish a book.”
After DePalma’s son inspired him, Cre8tor Incubator was born when Kirsch, known for his work on Fortnite among other projects, approached DePalma and pitched the idea of what would become the new business. Kirsch wanted to help creative minds make great content. Kirsch and DePalma decided to work with Henderson, who brought entrepreneurial experience to the team.
The incubator’s summer workshops and after-school programs offer a curriculum that includes activities that will help kids master platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitch and Meta. The classes are designed for young creators aged seven to 14 who can enter the courses at all skill levels.
