Leadership in the Entertainment Industry

The entertainment industry is of enormous importance - both from a business and cultural standpoint and has influence on virtually every spare of our society. It is characterized by tremendous opportunities and great uncertainties. The industry is continually changing as a result of emergent technology, new business models, and expanding markets. This dynamic industry creates opportunities for entrepreneurial students interested in leaving an artistic and/or creative imprint on the world. This course is designed to help prepare students for careers in the media industries, and to explore leadership within them. The industry is truly an intersection of art and commerce, and the major portion of the course will involve bringing to the class leaders who represent key areas of the entertainment industry, on both the business and creative sides. As with any business, the entertainment industry is driven by the vision of its leaders. These leaders make financial and artistic decisions daily, and manage staff and productions with the goal of producing entertainment product meant to be seen as widely as possible, and meant to make a profit. It is hoped that through interaction with these speakers, students will see the potential of strong leadership and how it works to advance entertainment companies and the films and television programming they produce. Topics to be examined include project development, production, marketing and distribution; emerging technologies and platforms, and their impact on the industry; the roles of studio, network and gaming executives, directors, producers, television showrunners, writers, actors, agents, talent managers, and others; and the intersection of Silicon Valley and Hollywood. The class will also cover the social changes occurring in the industry, such as the rise of #MeToo, and the importance of leaders creating workplaces and entertainment product that is inclusive and ethical. The theory behind this course is that by listening to, and questioning the class speakers, coupled with class research papers, students will emerge with a deeper understanding of the entertainment industry. The class is also intended to give students a view of first-rate leadership in general, and to present what it takes to be a successful, inspiring, and forward-thinking leader in entertainment.