Author: danielconvers

Bill Thompson’s Final Project: Business Plan class taught us how to incorporate the business skills we’ve developed over the course of our program into the research and development of our own business plans. In this course, we drew upon everything we learned in the past year in order to finish our formal business plans.

In week 1 we delivered an elevator pitch, and also filled out financial statements such as completing the Income Statement, the Start-up Costs, and the Sources and Uses of Funds Statements. In week 2 we finished compiling everything we’ve been working on for the past year into our final written business plans. In week 3 we delivered an oral presentation of our business plans, specifically focusing on the problem, or opportunity, and the solution our company offers. Finally, in week 4 we finished up our mastery journals and digital leadership portfolios.

WWE NXT is the main reason I decided to move to Orlando and attend Full Sail to pursue a Master’s of Entertainment Business. Just as I was about to start getting involved in what I’ve always wanted to do, the coronavirus pandemic struck, and everything got shut down.  I feel like I missed out on so many potential opportunities to network and make connections.  Although this past year at Full Sail has been a challenge, it is still an extremely fulfilling and rewarding feeling to achieve what I have.  

Thank you all very much,
Daniel Convers

Steven Burhoe’s Business Plan Development class taught us how to incorporate the business skills we’ve developed over the course of our program into research for our own business plans. In this course, we drew on our business, management, and technical knowledge to create and develop a formal business plan. Throughout the course, we received feedback from our instructors and peers concerning the viability of their business plan in the entertainment industry.

In week 1 we learned about a one-minute pitch, and also how to draft our company description. We also performed in depth industry analyses. In week 2 we discussed our business’s target market, the categories of competitors and performed market analysis and further study of the overall sales mechanism. Week 3 was all about operations, technology plans and management/ organization.  

Most importantly we studied how we can apply all of this to our own businesses in the future.

Steven Burhoe’s Business Plan Development class taught us how to incorporate the business skills we’ve developed over the course of our program into research for our own business plans. In this course, we drew on our business, management, and technical knowledge to create and develop a formal business plan. Throughout the course, we received feedback from our instructors and peers concerning the viability of their business plan in the entertainment industry.

In week 1 we learned about a one-minute pitch, and also how to draft our company description. We also performed in depth industry analyses. In week 2 we discussed our business’s target market, the categories of competitors and performed market analysis and further study of the overall sales mechanism. Week 3 was all about operations, technology plans and management/ organization.  

Most importantly we studied how we can apply all of this to our own businesses in the future.

Overall, this was one of the most rewarding classes in the EBMS program so far. It was challenging, yet still fun.

Kimberly Craft’s Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution class focused on issues currently affecting media publishing and distribution. We studied traditional as well as new digital publishing and distribution models. The course also addressed issues within the industry such as piracy, social media, digital rights management and legislation We explored strategies for protecting and monetizing their creative content and utilized traditional, as well as new, distribution models to develop a publishing and distribution plans for our future businesses.

In week 1 we learned about agents and publishers, and the differences in their roles. In week 2 we learned all about licensing and distribution. Week 3 was about self-publishing. Finally, week 4 was about marketing and business strategies. 

Most importantly we studied how we can apply all of this to our own businesses in the future.

Overall, this was one of the most rewarding classes in the EBMS program so far. It was challenging, yet still fun.

Cassandra Willard’s Advanced Entertainment Law class looked into all topics regarding entertainment law.  We specifically studied contracts and the protection of one’s intellectual property. We learned, through various case studies, how the ever-expanding digital age has impacted the entertainment industry.  I learned about the impact of entertainment law on my specific entertainment field.  This new knowledge will eventually enable me and other entertainment business professionals to be more prepared to have successful companies, to create and promote a strong business presence, and to protect our intellectual properties.

In the first week we wrote a paper identifying and assessing what legal liabilities our companies may face.  We also explored strategies to reduce or eliminate these risks. We also performed an audit of our intellectual properties and learned how to protect them from infringement. Next we presented some previous cases and studied the legal precedence behind them.

Most importantly we studied how we can apply all of this to our own businesses in the future.

Overall, this was one of the most rewarding classes in the EBMS program so far. It was challenging, yet still fun.

Thomas Jenkins’s Product and Artist Management class addresses management issues and scenarios that apply to artist management and gives students tools and strategies to help resolve these issues. Students in this course also address product management and its unique issues including the interconnectivity of artist and product management activities. Finally, students have the opportunity to apply these advanced management techniques to their specific entertainment field and examine how these principles can be applied to their business projects

The course taught me all about the essential business skills that will eventually enable me and other entertainment business professionals to have successful companies, to create and promote a strong business presence, and to enhance product development.

My first goal was to understand what an artist manager does, and to understand how to become a good artist manager. I’ve learned that there are so many great artist managers out there, all of whom approach their job with a different style, which I thought was very interesting to see. In our first or second week we had to present and about an artist manger chosen by us. I really enjoyed these presentations and to learn about the difference between personalities, backgrounds and leadership styles between these great managers. One thing I’ve definitely learned from these presentations is that there was one major thing they’ve all had in common: perseverance. All of these great managers went through some tough times, but they didn’t give up. I think this is a great lesson for the future in whatever route we’re going to take. Finally, we learned how to apply these skills to our own businesses and products.  

Overall, while this was one of the most rewarding classes in the EBMS program so far. It was very fun and right up my alley.

Eric Miles’s Negotiation and Deal-Making class taught me all about the essential business skills that will eventually enable me and other entertainment business professionals to have successful companies, to create and promote a strong business presence, and to enhance product development.

In the first week we performed in role-playing mock negotiations and learned the definition of what each party’s bargaining position and underlying interest was. We learned how finding the mutual benefit in a negotiation usually help leads to a deal. I also learned that BATNA stands for Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.

In the second week of this course, we conducted more mock negotiations and practiced more with bargaining positions, underlying interests, mutual benefits, neutral criteria, and BATNAs. Finally, we learned the pros and cons of differing communication styles, and we all took a test on what communication style we were.

In week 3 of this course, I had to write an APA paper on how Alternative Dispute Resolution has been used in the entertainment industry.

For week 4 of this class, I created a PowerPoint presentation to talk about the details behind the negotiation between Disney/Marvel and Sony Pictures over the rights for Spider-Man to appear in their films. There were many other interesting topics including the 2007 writers’ guild strike, Taylor Swift vs. Spotify, and Prince vs. Warner Bros just to name a few.

Overall, while this was one of the hardest class in the EBMS program so far, I’d say it was also the one I’ve learned the most from. Although I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, a lot of these concepts were still very new to me, however I do feel that I have a better grasp on what they are, how they are used and why they are used.

The assignments in this class taught me to how to think critically and look ahead and create a better plan for my own business in the future. This knowledge is extremely important, and I know it will prepare me for the future.

It’s very evident that the professor, Dr. Daniel Spellman, really cares about his students. This was probably my favorite class in the EBMS program so far. 

My original goals for this course were far exceeded. I will use the things I’ve learned in both my personal and professional life.

Originally, I thought I’d just learn some basic tactics to advertise something in the entertainment industry, but it turned out to be so much more that that.  I actually used the tools and techniques I learned to develop my skills and work on managing a more professional presence for myself online.

Christopher Woodward’s Entertainment Business Finance class taught me all about funding my own company. We learned how to create more accurate projections and the best methods of managing capital. The book, Entrepreneurial Finance, by Philip J. Adelman & Alan M. Marks, was extremely informative, and I plan to keep it in order to revisit the concepts inside in the future.  

Overall, while this was probably the hardest class in the program so far, I’d say it was also the one I’ve learned the most from. Although I have a bachelor’s degree in economics, a lot of these concepts were still very new to me, however I do feel that I have a better grasp on what they are, how they are used and why they are used.

The assignments in this class taught me to how to think critically and look ahead and create a projected financial plan for my own business in the future. This knowledge is extremely important, and I know it will prepare me for the future.

How this course met your original objective, what you learned from the course content, and how you might apply it either personally or professionally.

This course exceeded all my expectations. It taught me the importance of establishing and setting a good foundation for both my personal and professional brand. It also gave tips on differentiation and standing out. The course also instructed us on the various strategies of developing and telling compelling stories about our brands, both personally and professionally.

I plan to continue applying this information in the future. For example, in my digital marketing course, it will be extremely important to have this knowledge so that I can continue to clearly demonstrate what it is my brand actually stands for.

This course far exceeded my expectations, I learned so much about the importance of organization and planning, and I know I’ll be able to apply that knowledge to everything in my life from now on.