Concourse | 258616: The Business of Entertainment
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UCLA • UCLA EXTENSION • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT STUDIES
258616: THE BUSINESS OF
ENTERTAINMENTMGMNT-X
403.31
Fall 2015 Section 1 4 Credits 09/24/2015 to 12/17/2015 Modified 07/22/2015
MEETING TIMES
Class Meetings: April 9 - June 18
Thursday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, UCLA: 1102 Perloff Hall
Class Meeting: May 2
Saturday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, UCLA: 1102 Perloff Hall
DESCRIPTION
With the entertainment industry converging into a worldwide mass media, both business and operation
models continue to rapidly evolve. This introductory course for producers, directors, development
personnel, and aspiring media executives examines the business issues associated with the
entertainment industry. Through lectures, discussions with industry guests, and case studies,
instruction focuses on current business and production issues and introduces new business models to
navigate content onto new technology platforms. Some history is highlighted to provide a context for
current practice. The course also features opportunities to meet senior entertainment industry
executives. Topics include financing, contracts, intellectual property issues, licensing, product
placement, marketing and publicity, ratings, the impact of piracy, understanding and leveraging new
technologies, and marketing and distribution. By the end of the course, students should have an
understanding of the opportunities available in the business of entertainment.
OBJECTIVES
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For students to have the knowledge and the understanding of how entertainment projects are viewed
as products and how those products are put through the multiple distribution channels around the
world.
MATERIALS
Required Texts and Materials
THE BIZ (Fourth Edition) by Schuyler M. Moore (ISBN 978-1935247043) - available at the UCLA
Bookstore at LuValle Commons.
Recommended Texts and Materials
THE $11 BILLION YEAR – Anne Thompson
THE BUSINESS OF MEDIA DISTRIBUTION – Jeff Ulin
THE BIG PICTURE - Edward Jay Epstein
DISNEY WAR - James B. Stewart
BLOCKBUSTER: HOW HOLLYWOOD LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE
SUMMER - Tom Shone
THE WHOLE EQUATION: A HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD - David Thomson
AN EMPIRE OF THEIR OWN: HOW THE JEWS INVENTED HOLLYWOOD -Neil Gabler MONEY
AND MOVIES - David Puttnam
XTERNAL LINKS (more posted on Canvas – the list below is a subset):
Wall Street Journal (www.wallstreetjournal.com (http://www.wallstreetjournal.com))
Forbes (www.forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com))
Fortune (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/ (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/))
CNN (www.cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com))
Business Week (www.businesweek.com (http://www.businesweek.com))
Variety (http://www.variety.com/ (http://www.variety.com/))
The Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com))
Motion Picture Association of America (www.mpaa.org (http://www.mpaa.org))
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (www.emmys.tv (http://www.emmys.tv))
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (www.oscars.org (http://www.oscars.org))
Screen Daily (www.screendaily.com (http://www.screendaily.com))
Deadline (www.deadline.com (http://www.deadline.com))
TheWrap.com (www.thewrap.com (http://www.thewrap.com))
Digital Ramblings (www.digitalramblings.com (http://www.digitalramblings.com))
Kidscreen.com (www.kidscreen.com (http://www.kidscreen.com))
WorldScreen (www.worldscreen.com (http://www.worldscreen.com))
Other links as suggested
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EVALUATION
Student Expectations
Students are expected to read the articles provided in Canvas every week, students are expected to
participate positively, cohesively and collectively in the final group projects and the students are
expected participate in class with enthusiasm and consistency every week.
Breakdown
Grading Criteria
Percentage of
Final
Description
Assignments/Quizzes
25%
Midterm
25%
Final/Presentation
30%
Attendance/Punctuality
10%
Participation
10%
TOTALS:
100%
Grading Scheme
Grade Percentage
Letter Grade
Pass/Fail
90-100%
A
Pass
80-89%
B
Pass
70-79%
C
Pass
60-69%
D
Fail
>59%
F
Fail
A grade of ‘C’ or better is considered a passing grade. Certificate students must take 400 level
courses for a grade.
Please note that ALL COURSE GRADES ARE FINAL.
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COURSE POLICIES
Course Format: Web-Enhanced
This course is primarily conducted through in-person course sessions, using Canvas (the learning
management system at UCLA Extension) to access materials provided by the instructor. Course
materials delivered through Canvas may include:
■ Course announcements and communications
■ Readings, links, videos, and other media
■ Assignment submission areas and grades
Please note that no hard copies of course materials will be made available in class; please
print any reference materials necessary in advance of your course session. It is your
responsibility to be aware of all assignments, due dates and guidelines.
Note the following points about online course components at UCLA Extension:
■ Students must have basic computer skills, including the use of word processing software,
email, and the ability to use internet browsers such as Firefox, Safari, or Chrome in order
to complete activities and assignments in Canvas.
■ Students should familiarize themselves with Canvas and are responsible for meeting the
minimum technical requirements for using Canvas.
■ For more information about the Canvas learning management system, please
visit: http://student.uclaextension.edu/our-platform/overview/
(http://student.uclaextension.edu/our-platform/overview/)
■ For information about the technical requirements for web-enhanced courses,
please visit: http://student.uclaextension.edu/support/technical-requirements/
(http://student.uclaextension.edu/support/technical-requirements/)
Planning Your Study Time
To plan your study time, it is estimated that you will spend 3 hours per week "in class" with the
instructor and approximately 7 additional hours per week outside of class studying for exams,
reading, and completing assignments. Depending on the extent of your academic preparation and
recent college-level coursework in this topic area, the amount of study time needed may vary
considerably.
INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES
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Student Conduct
Students are subject to disciplinary action for several types of misconduct or attempted misconduct,
including but not limited to dishonesty, such as cheating, multiple submission, plagiarism, or
knowingly furnishing false information to the University; or theft or misuse of the intellectual property
of others or violation of others' copyrights. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with
policy provisions which proscribe these and other forms of misconduct at:
https://www.uclaextension.edu/Pages/str/StudentConduct.aspx
(https://www.uclaextension.edu/Pages/str/StudentConduct.aspx)
Services for Students with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, UCLA Extension provides appropriate
accommodations and support services to qualified applicants and students with disabilities. These
include, but are not limited to, auxiliary aids/services such as sign language interpreters, assistivelistening devices for hearing-impaired individuals, extended time for and proctoring of exams, and
registration assistance. Accommodations and types of support services vary and are specifically
designed to meet the disability-related needs of each student based on current, verifiable medical
documentation. Arrangements for auxiliary aids/services are available only through UCLA
Extension’s Services for Students with Disabilities at (310) 825-7851 or by email at
access@uclaextension.edu (mailto:access@uclaextension.edu). For complete information see:
https://www.uclaextension.edu/Pages/str/StudentswithDisabilities.aspx
(https://www.uclaextension.edu/Pages/str/StudentswithDisabilities.aspx)
Incompletes
Your instructor may post the interim grade Incomplete/I if at the end of the class your overall work is
of passing quality but a portion could not be submitted for understandable reasons (e.g. illness). It is
your responsibility to petition your instructor for permission to submit work late and to provide an
explanation, and it is his or her sole decision whether to accept the explanation. If permitted, the
Incomplete/I grade will be posted and a time frame defined for you to submit the missing work,
ranging from one to twelve weeks. Incomplete/I grades that remain unchanged after twelve weeks
will lapse to F, NP or U. Receiving an I grade entitles you to submit only the missing work your
instructor has agreed to accept late, and does not allow other work to be retaken or oblige UCLA
Extension to provide continuing access to course materials via Canvas. The Incomplete/I grade is not
an option for courses that do not bear credit, such as 700, 800, or 900-level courses. For complete
information, see: https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/str/FormsCredit.aspx
(https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/str/FormsCredit.aspx)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
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About Your Web-Enhanced Course
Web-Enhanced courses meet in-person and make use of an online presence to varying degrees.
You will access the learning management system, Canvas, for course documents such as your
syllabus and course materials.
Please note the following about online course components at UCLA Extension:
■ Students must have basic computer skills, including the use of word processing software,
email, and the ability to use internet browsers, such as Safari, Firefox, or Chrome.
■ Students are responsible for meeting the technical requirements of Canvas and
familiarizing themselves with the Canvas Learning Management System.
■ What are the basic computer specifications for Canvas?
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4214/l/82542-what-are-the-basic-computerspecifications-for-canvas (https://guides.instructure.com/m/4214/l/82542-whatare-the-basic-computer-specifications-for-canvas)
■ Which browsers does Canvas support?
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4214/l/41056-which-browsers-doescanvas-support (http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4214/l/41056-whichbrowsers-does-canvas-support)
■ It is your responsibility to keep a copy of all assignments and work submitted, and to be
aware of all assignments, due dates, and course guidelines.
Campus Safety Escorts
For students taking classes held on the UCLA campus and in and around Westwood Village, the
UCLA Police Department provides a free walking escort service every day of the year from dusk until
1 a.m. Community Service Officers (CSOs) are available to walk students, faculty, staff members and
visitors to and from anywhere on campus, in Westwood Village, and in the village apartments. CSOs
are uniformed students who have received special training and are employed by the UCLA Police
Department. To obtain an escort, please call (310) 794-9255 and allow 15 to 20 minutes for your
escort to arrive. For complete information, see: https://www.ucpd.ucla.edu/services/communityservice-officers-csos/evening-escorts (https://www.ucpd.ucla.edu/services/community-serviceofficers-csos/evening-escorts)
SCHEDULE
When Topic
Notes
Week
1
INTRO ARTICLES
INTRODUCTION TO THE BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT:
Overview Presentation and Class Structure (CONFIRMED - Randy
Greenberg)
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When Topic
Notes
Week
2
DEAL MAKING/AGENTS/ATTORNEYS (Guest Speaker: TBA)
IP/CONTENT (CONFIRMED - Randy Greenberg Presentation)
Required Book: Chap #1- 5
and IP & CONTENT ARTICLES
Week
3
CONTENT & RIGHTS: What Every Producer Needs to Know to
Survive & Thrive (Guest Speaker TBA) FINAL PRESENTATION
GROUPS ANNOUNCED
Required Book: Chapters 6–8 & 12
and PRODUCER/IP CONTENT
ARTICLES
Week
4
STUDIO STRATEGY & CONTENT (Guest Speaker TBA)
STUDIO ARTICLES
Week
5
FINANCING & STUDIO ACCOUNTING PRESENTATION
(CONFIRMED - Randy Greenberg Presentation)
FINANCING/INCENTIVE
ARTICLES &
STUDIO ACCOUNTING
ARTICLES
Week
6
THEATRICAL (Guest Speaker TBA)
THEATRICAL ARTICLES
Week
7
MID-TERM
MID-TERM (50 Questions with
Essays)
Week
8
HOME ENTERTAINMENT (Guest Speaker TBA)
HOME ENTERTAINMENT
ARTICLES
Week
9
LICENSING/MERCHANDISING (Guest Speaker TBA)
LICENSING/MERCHANDISING
ARTICLES
Week
10
WW TV & DIGITAL MARKET (Guest Speaker TBA)
TV & DIGITAL MARKET
ARTICLES
Week
11
GAMING / SOFTWARE / APP (Guest Speaker TBA)
GAMING ARTICLES
Week
12
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION ( Guest Speaker TBA) DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION
FINAL REVIEW
ARTICLES
FINAL PRESENTATIONS
UPLOADED TO
CANVAS MODULE 12
(on Sunday June 14th @ Midnight)
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