Lifton founded Unity Studios and the Lifton Institute of Media Skills between 2009 and 2010 in an effort to train out-of-work skilled laborers in the Detroit area for the movie and TV industry.
More than half of the Lifton Institute's inaugural class, which began in October 2009, reported finding work on at least one film, TV or music video production within 90 days of their graduation.
Unity Studios and The Lifton Institute closed its doors in 2010 when Gov. Rick Snyder was elected and put harsh restrictions on the Michigan film incentive project.

In 2015, Lifton opened the Lifton Institute of Media Arts and Sciences in California's Santa Clarita Valley.
The focus of the school is to train crews for film, TV, and music productions.
In 2016, LIMS launched its VET 50 program where 50 homeless veterans were provided with free training and assistance, transportation, food, and help with housing while in the LIMS program.
The veterans were also given hands on assistance with job placement post graduation.
The VET 50 program has since expanded and a new program called VET 200 was created to provide free training for 9-11 veterans.
Lifton founded Unity Studios and the Lifton Institute of Media Skills between 2009 and 2010 in an effort to train out-of-work skilled laborers in the Detroit area for the movie and TV industry. More than half of the Lifton Institute's inaugural class, which began in October 2009, reported finding work on at least one film, TV or music video production within 90 days of their graduation. Unity Studios and The Lifton Institute closed its doors in 2010 when Gov. Rick Snyder was elected and put harsh restrictions on the Michigan film incentive project.
In 2015, Lifton opened the Lifton Institute of Media Arts and Sciences in California's Santa Clarita Valley. The focus of the school is to train crews for film, TV, and music productions. In 2016, LIMS launched its VET 50 program where 50 homeless veterans were provided with free training and assistance, transportation, food, and help with housing while in the LIMS program. The veterans were also given hands on assistance with job placement post graduation. The VET 50 program has since expanded and a new program called VET 200 was created to provide free training for 9-11 veterans.
Jimmy Lifton