IV ACADEMYINFINITE VARIANCEJoin for free

INFINITE VARIANCE / LEARN TO BUILD WITH AI

WHAT IF
YOU BUILT
THE THING?

That website. That app. That film.
The idea you keep coming back to.

Join IV Academy free See inside My Builds

Free to join. Video lessons being added. No card required.

FROM AN IDEA TO A FIRST VERSION

LESS
“SOMEDAY.”
MORE MAKING.

Choose a path through websites, apps, short films, content, workflows, games or mods. Build with an AI partner, check the result and make it better.

Choose your first build

THE SOWER’S TALE / MATTHEW’S STUDIO WORK

YOUR IDEA. AI AGENTS. SOMETHING REAL.SCROLL TO SEE WHAT’S POSSIBLE

01 / THE SKILL BEHIND THE TOOLS

A GOOD IDEA
NEEDS A WAY IN.

You don’t need to master every AI tool before you begin. Start with a real problem, choose one useful action, and learn by building it.

IV Academy teaches you how to direct the work: give an agent context, keep the project focused, inspect what comes back, and fix what fails.

THE PROCESS

  1. 01 / 04BRIEF

    GIVE THE IDEA
    A CLEAR SHAPE.

    Name the person, the problem and one useful action. Give your AI partner the context and a finish line.

    START WITH / A BRIEF YOU CAN USE

  2. 02 / 04BUILD

    MAKE A
    FIRST VERSION.

    Keep the scope small. Turn the brief into a working page, app, scene or workflow, then try it yourself.

    MAKE / ONE USEFUL THING

  3. 03 / 04CHECK

    SEE WHAT
    ACTUALLY WORKS.

    Inspect what comes back. Test the useful action, the content and the parts that can fail. Looking finished is only the start.

    CHECK / THE REAL RESULT

  4. 04 / 04IMPROVE

    MAKE THE NEXT
    VERSION BETTER.

    Fix the rough edge, check again and keep what works. Each pass gives you a clearer next step.

    IMPROVE / THEN CHECK AGAIN

02 / A FEW THINGS YOU CAN MAKE

01 / WEBSITES

GIVE YOUR
IDEA A HOME.

A page with a clear story, your visual style, and one action that actually works.

In the launch kit: build a page that downloads a project brief. Review its copy, layout, keyboard access and real output.

Try the first step
INFINITEVARIANCE.AI
The current Infinite Variance homepage with its What if? headline and red and pink eye artwork
THIS WEBSITE / THE CURRENT INFINITE VARIANCE HOMEPAGE
02 / APPS

MAKE THE
TOOL YOU NEED.

Move from a screen that looks right to an app with a useful action and carefully checked access.

In the launch kit: app source for signing in and saving a private idea. Connect your own practice backend, then test who can see what.

FROM LOOSE PARTS TO A USEFUL TOOL.ILLUSTRATED KIT CONCEPT / NOT A LIVE APP

Illustration: an idea card, an account, saved data and a useful action connect around a Field Notes practice app.

03 / SHORT FILMS

TURN A
WHAT IF INTO A WORLD.

Shape the story before you generate the shots. Work with references, intentional motion, and a cut you’ve actually watched.

In the launch kit: a silent 12-second studio-art example, an edit plan and source notes to study. Your story starts with a beat sheet.

Explore Matthew’s films
STORYBOARD STUDY → STUDIO SCENEMATTHEW’S WORK / NOT A STUDENT RESULT

Storyboard illustration: an orchard wide shot, a close study of the bluebird and a planting moment. The wide shot expands and reveals the existing full-color orchard studio scene from The Sower’s Tale. The film is in development. These are original storyboard studies based on Matthew's studio artwork, not student results. Static layouts show the scene still and all three small studies.

04 / VIDEOS & CONTENT

MAKE IT.
MAKE IT WATCHABLE.

Give a useful idea a clear opening, a considered edit and artwork that introduces it.

From Matt’s work: The Sower’s Tale stream thumbnail and 10-second sizzle. Start with the shared video fundamentals; dedicated content walkthroughs are added as Matt records them.

Explore the content path
CLIPS. TITLES. SOUND. ONE CONSIDERED EDIT.ILLUSTRATED EDIT / MATTHEW’S STUDIO ARTWORK

Editing illustration: three images from The Sower’s Tale assemble as an opening, a moment and a payoff on a timeline. A title track and an illustrated audio waveform join underneath. A playhead passes through the sequence and the preview changes to the corresponding image. This is an illustration, not a live editor or a newly rendered video.

05 / WORKFLOWS

LESS REPEAT.
MORE ROOM.

Understand the task, connect the steps, and plan for the moments when things don’t go as expected.

In the launch kit: a local review-task runner with validation, duplicate checks, failure and retry handling, and a pause control.

INPUT. CHECK. OUTPUT. A LITTLE MORE ROOM TO THINK.ILLUSTRATED KIT WORKFLOW / LOCAL PRACTICE EXAMPLE

Workflow illustration: a project brief passes validation and duplicate checks to create one local review task. If a step fails, review the problem and retry. This diagram is a local practice example, not a live workflow run.

THE PROJECT CHANGES. THE BUILDING SKILL TRAVELS.EXPLORE THE PATHS ↓

03 / FREE TO JOIN. READY TO BUILD.

YOUR IDEA.
A FREE START.

Bring an idea. Learn the basics and give your first build a clear next step. IV Academy is free to join.

Create your free account

No card required. Your brief stays private to your account.

Already a member? Sign in to My builds ↗

YOUR IDEA, WITH A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
  1. 01
    Name the idea.

    What do you want to make, and who is it for?

  2. 02
    Give it a finish line.

    Choose one useful result you can check.

  3. 03
    Save your next step.

    Keep your brief in My builds and return as you go.

04 / SIX PATHS. YOUR NEXT PROJECT.

WHAT DO YOU
WANT TO CREATE?

Choose what you want to make: websites, apps, films, content, AI workflows, games or mods. Learn the process, make your own version and share what you discover.

Six project paths, with video lessons and project walkthroughs added as Matt records them. Dedicated game and mod lessons are coming soon.

WEBSITES

Build Websites

Give your idea a home. Build a website with a clear story, a considered design and an action that works.

  • Page structure
  • Visual design
  • Useful actions
  • Publishing
Explore this path

A responsive website you can test, share and keep improving.

VIDEO LESSONS BEING RECORDED

  1. Map the page around one action
  2. Build the visual system
  3. Make the important action work
  4. Review and publish carefully

Website guides and a downloadable brief-page practice project are available now.

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

  • A portfolio for your work
  • A website for a business
  • A focused landing page

FROM MATT’S WORKInfinite Variance websiteMatthew’s existing website

Members: open this path

APPS

Build Apps

Make a tool people can use. Turn one useful task into an app with clear screens, saved data and checked access.

  • User journeys
  • Accounts
  • Data ownership
  • Real-world checks
Explore this path

A small app with one complete user journey and carefully checked data access.

VIDEO LESSONS BEING RECORDED

  1. Design one complete user journey
  2. Build with clear data ownership
  3. Connect and verify persistence
  4. Prepare the app for real use

App guides and Field Notes practice source are available now. The practice app needs your own backend setup.

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

  • A personal project tracker
  • A useful business dashboard
  • A member workspace

FROM MATT’S WORKIV Academy member workspaceMatthew’s existing member platform

Members: open this path

SHORT FILMS

Make Short Films

Turn a what if into a world. Shape a story, develop a consistent visual direction and bring the shots together.

  • Story & shot lists
  • Characters & worlds
  • Visual consistency
  • Editing & sound
Explore this path

A short visual story with an intentional beginning, change and payoff.

VIDEO LESSONS BEING RECORDED

  1. Write the story before the prompt
  2. Create a consistent visual brief
  3. Edit for clarity and rhythm
  4. Finish and deliver the right file

Start with the existing story and video guides. Full film-project walkthroughs will be added as Matt records them.

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

  • A character-driven scene
  • A short story in one location
  • A trailer for an imagined world

FROM MATT’S WORKThe Sower’s TaleMatthew’s film in development

Members: open this path

VIDEOS & CONTENT

Create Videos & Content

Make something worth watching. Plan a useful video, shape the edit and create the artwork that helps introduce it.

  • Video planning
  • Editing & pacing
  • Thumbnails & promos
  • Delivery formats
Explore this path

A finished video with a clear purpose, an intentional edit and the right delivery format.

VIDEO LESSONS BEING RECORDED

  1. Write the story before the prompt
  2. Create a consistent visual brief
  3. Edit for clarity and rhythm
  4. Finish and deliver the right file

This path currently shares the four story and video guides with Short Films. Dedicated content walkthroughs will be added as Matt records them.

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

  • A tutorial with a clear result
  • A short project promo
  • A thumbnail and video package

FROM MATT’S WORKThe Sower’s Tale stream artwork & sizzleMatthew’s completed local promotional assets

Members: open this path

AI WORKFLOWS

Build AI Workflows

Make room for the work you enjoy. Connect repeatable steps, work with agents and keep a person in control.

  • Process mapping
  • AI partners
  • Repeatable steps
  • Review & recovery
Explore this path

A repeatable workflow with validation, useful failure handling and a clear stop control.

VIDEO LESSONS BEING RECORDED

  1. Map the manual process
  2. Build the smallest safe flow
  3. Handle repeats and failures
  4. Put a person in control

Workflow guides and a local runner with duplicate checks, retry and pause handling are available now.

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

  • A reusable project playbook
  • A brief-to-review workflow
  • An assistant for a repeated task

FROM MATT’S WORKThe IV Academy review-task runnerMatthew’s working local launch-kit example

Members: open this path

GAMES & MODS

Make Games & Mods

Make a world someone can play. Build a small game or change one part of a game with supported modding tools.

  • Game loops & controls
  • Levels & interactions
  • Supported modding tools
  • Playtesting & debugging
Explore this path

A small playable game or a mod with one clear, tested change.

GAME & MOD LESSONS COMING SOON

Game and mod lessons are coming soon. Start with the shared foundation and AI partner lessons while you plan a small project.

PROJECT DIRECTIONS

  • A one-level game
  • One satisfying game mechanic
  • A small supported mod

PLAN YOUR FIRST PROJECTStart with one playable ideaChoose a tiny game or one supported mod change, then define how you will test it

Members: open this path

A FEW SKILLS GO EVERYWHERE.

Start with a clear brief. Finish with a build you’ve checked and shared. Use these lessons alongside any path.

Start here / Build with an AI partner

Choose a real problem, write a useful brief and learn to direct the work.

  1. Choose a problem worth solving
  2. Write a brief an agent can use
  3. Work in small, reviewable steps
  4. Choose your first build track
  5. Give the agent a working context
  6. Control tools and permissions
  7. Debug with evidence
  8. Save a reusable workflow
Finish & share / Make the next version better

Review the result, share an honest demo and put feedback to work.

  1. Run your acceptance review
  2. Demo the problem and the result
  3. Turn feedback into the next version

Video lessons and project walkthroughs are being recorded and added as Matt completes them. Short Films and Videos & Content currently share the same video fundamentals. Join free, choose a path and start planning your first build.

Choose your path / Join free

05 / A PLACE TO KEEP GOING

BUILD IN
GOOD COMPANY.

Bring the rough version, the question, the small win. The academy gives your next step somewhere to live.

01 / COMMUNITY

SHOW THE WORK.

Share a build, ask a question, reply, react and save useful posts. Bring images, GIFs and video into the conversation.

02 / MY BUILDS

KEEP A NEXT STEP.

Save your project brief, define the finish line and track what you want to tackle next.

03 / GROUP BUILD CLINICS

BUILD WITH MATT.

One-hour Zoom group clinics every other Saturday. Work through questions and next steps together. Replays added after sessions.

See the launch schedule

THE LAUNCH SCHEDULE / PACIFIC TIME

SEE YOU
SATURDAY.

One hour, every other Saturday, 1–2 PM Pacific. Zoom link coming soon inside the member workspace.

  1. OCT31SATURDAY / 2026
    1–2 PM PACIFIC
  2. NOV14SATURDAY / 2026
    1–2 PM PACIFIC
  3. NOV28SATURDAY / 2026
    1–2 PM PACIFIC
Matthew Hollis wearing round sunglasses with red and pink swirls in the lenses
MATTHEW HOLLIS / FOUNDER, INFINITE VARIANCE

06 / FROM THE PERSON BUILDING IT

I BUILD WITH AI.
I TEACH YOU
HOW TO DO IT TOO.

I’m Matthew Hollis. Infinite Variance is where my building, filmmaking, creative experiments and teaching come together.

The paths grow from what I make: websites, apps, short films, videos and the workflows behind them. You bring your own project. I help you learn the process and direct the tools toward a useful result.

Meet the person behind IV

FREE TO JOIN / INFINITE VARIANCE ACADEMY

BRING YOUR IDEA.
LET’S BUILD.

Learn through video lessons as they’re added. Turn an idea into a private brief, then keep building with the community.

Create your free account Already a member? Sign in
MY BUILDS / INSIDE THE ACADEMYPRIVATE TO YOU
My Builds sample: Moss Studio portfolio, with a next step to choose three pieces and a finish line of showing three projects and contact details.
Actual My Builds interface. Fictional teaching example.
Your own brief stays private. View larger ↗
FreeTO JOIN
NO CARD REQUIRED

YOUR FREE MEMBERSHIP

  • Video lessons, added as Matt records them
  • My Builds: your private project brief and next steps
  • Community after your two getting-started steps
  • Six project paths to explore

Start planning your first build today. Dedicated game and mod lessons are coming soon.

Create your free account

Confirm your email, then follow Start Here: read your first lesson and save a private brief. Complete both steps to enter Community. No card or paid subscription required.

AI tools, generation credits and third-party hosting/provider costs are separate.

LATER / IV ACADEMY PLUS

An optional Plus membership is planned for later at $49 USD/month. Features and launch details will be announced before it opens.

CONFIRM EMAIL → FIRST LESSON → FIRST BRIEF → COMMUNITY

BEFORE YOU START

GOOD
QUESTIONS.

Ask Matt
Who is IV Academy for?

Curious creators and business builders who want to make a website, app, video or workflow with AI agents. Choose a project you want to understand and improve. The academy teaches a process; it does not promise a particular income, completion time or project outcome.

Do I need to know how to code?

You can start with a focused brief and the foundation lessons. Expect to work with prompts, files and practical checks. Some paths require more setup: the app example includes connecting your own practice Supabase backend. This is learning to build and inspect the work, including technical parts when your project needs them.

How do the paths work?

Choose Websites, Apps, Short Films, Videos & Content, AI Workflows, or Games & Mods. The first five paths bring lesson topics together with project directions inspired by Matt’s work. Game and mod lessons are coming soon; explore the project guide and shared starting skills in the meantime. Start Here and Finish & Share support every path. Short Films and Videos & Content currently share four video fundamentals; completing a shared lesson counts in both. New project walkthroughs are added as Matt records them.

When are video lessons available?

Video lessons and project walkthroughs are being recorded and added as Matt completes them. Join free now to choose a path and plan your first build in My Builds. Dedicated game and mod lessons are coming soon.

What tools do I need, and are they included?

Your own computer and the tools for your chosen path. The kit website and local workflow use Node.js; the app needs your own practice backend. Academy membership is free. Coding-agent plans, AI generation credits and third-party hosting/provider costs are separate.

What support is included?

Member community and one-hour group Zoom build clinics every other Saturday. See the upcoming dates above. Check Calendar inside the Academy for meeting details and replays as they’re added. Individual mentorship is arranged separately.

How do I join?

Create your free account and confirm your email. Start Here guides you through an introductory lesson and your private project brief. Complete both steps, then enter Community. You can explore Learn and My Builds along the way. No card or checkout is required.

Is a card or subscription required?

No. Joining IV Academy is free and does not start a paid subscription. An optional Plus version is planned for later at $49 USD/month. Details will be announced before it opens.

THE NEXT IDEA DOESN’T HAVE TO STAY AN IDEA.

WHAT WILL YOU BUILD?

See member projects