Reflection

The first class within the Entertainment Business Master of Science program is Media Literacy and Research Methodologies. Right off the bat, within the first week I had a research paper due, which is to be expected this was graduate level now. I got the opportunity to learn about presentations, personal learning networks, and had my first collaboration activity. I also had an assignment to put my LinkedIn profile together. Our discussions during the weeks were time management, plagiarism, and my industry’s future.

During my next class of Executive Leadership I created and started my blog Entertainment Business: Behind the Lights, Camera, and Action. I did my first leadership presentation on Kathleen Kennedy, and did a leadership self-assessment on the Greene Law and Maxwell traits, and a case assessment. I also wrote a Leadership Self-Assessment research paper. My weekly discussions were about personal banding, decision-making, relationships, and self-assessments. 

My next class was Project and Team Management. My weekly discussions were team building, brainstorming, DiSC styles, and blog post and review. I did an industry research assignment, as well as creating a timeline through tiki-toki, and a budget. 

I also did a team assignment, character assignment, as well as a conflict resolution assignment. This class taught me there are many positive attributes to working with and managing a team, as well as how to resolve any conflicts or issues that can arise when working with many different individuals.

     

In my Business Storytelling and Brand Development class my discussions were about personal brand strategy, market research, 22 immutable laws of branding, and marketing blogs. I did two different blog posts for this class, business storytelling, and entertainment industry. I completed an entertainment brand audit on The Walt Disney Company, case study, and a brand identity guide. I also did a market research and company overview assignment on my own business.

My Entertainment Business Finance class was much different than the pre-production budgeting class I took during my undergraduate degree. In this class not only did I learn about ratio analysis, I did a research paper on crowdfunding. I had an assignment on personal finance, wrote two blogs, completed a full pro forma financials on my own business, and presented those financials. This class was one of my favorites. I not only took away all the knowledge of business finance, but also learned a ton of information on my own personal finances. I believe this is a crucial part of business success. If you can’t even balance your own personal books, why would you think you could balance a business?

During my Negotiation and Deal-Making class I completed an interview blog, did a large research case study presentation, and completed multiple case study worksheets. My class had four different discussion boards during the course.

My Product and Artist Management class was another one of my favorite courses. I learned a lot about the ability I have to management an artist, and put together an entire live event from start to finish. I put together the entire budget for the event, as well as the venue, promotions, marketing, and travel arrangements. I did a full video presentation for this project. I completed an artist management case study assessment, two blog posts, and a product core competencies pitch.

During my Advanced Entertainment Law class I wrote an industry expert blog, an industry liabilities blog, as well as completing an IP Audit. I filled out all the registration forms for copyright, patents, and trademarks. My weekly discussions were details regarding the differences between copyright, patents, and trademarks. I also wrote a research paper, and did an endorsement assignment.

My Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution class we had a collaboration assignment shared through Google Docs. My projects in this class were writing a letter requesting a review of my film treatment, completing a full film treatment, and a business strategy project. My discussions were learning about print on demand and video on demand, as well as what the next steps are after your product is completed.

The Digital Marketing class was about completing a marketing plan canvas for each week for my own business. This marketing plan canvas plugged into a full digital marking plan. I completed the tasks within the marketing plan. I completed a case study and two blog assignments. My discussions and assignments were on Google adwords, Google analytics, QR Codes, mailing lists, launch campaigns, and social media.

Business Plan Development was preparing our final business plan. Each week I had to complete a portion of my business plan. I completed two blog posts, a differentiation exercise, and a financial statement spreadsheet. Our discussions in the course were about company culture, target markets, and being an entrepreneur.

                             

The Final Project: Business Plan course is tying everything together. I did an elevator pitch of my business plan, two blog posts, and a financial statement assignment.  I submitted the final completion of my business plan with all the previous courses corrections and additions, and presented that business plan. My class assignments have been about the different leadership styles, different ways of obtaining financing for my business, how to prepare for investors, and reflecting back on the knowledge we received from this course. The information from this course has been priceless. I’ve learned about the types of jobs to look for, how to interview for them, as well as being prepared for it.

Each course within the Full Sail Entertainment Business Master’s program has built on top of each other. Every course, assignment, discussion, and lecture has provided me with real life knowledge, scenarios, and experience.