Thanks to an MBA learning show business

We are going to present today from OUR EDITORIAL STAFF, a subject not well known as the entertainment industry, describing the basic aspects so that you know what it consists of and if there is any relationship between this industry and an MBA postgraduate.

For this reason, we are going to refer to the case of the theater producer Adam Blanshay who overcame multiple challenges to study for an EMBA

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys math, short-term and long-term strategy planning, and responsibilities that lead to rewards, then you might see the media industries through the eyes of a businessman

 

He is the founder of Adam Blanshay Productions which is a commercial theater production company, originally co-founded in 2017 by producer Adam Blanshay and associate producer Edward Johnson, with offices in London’s West End.

Focusing on both musicals and plays, ABP has been involved in over sixty productions internationally and has received eight Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards and one Helpmann Award. ABP is highly committed to developing highly acclaimed French theater for English-speaking audiences.

Adam Blanshay Productions is generously supported by a variety of investors from a variety of business sectors and backgrounds.

Characteristics that define the personality of Adam Blanshay

As a theater producer, Adam Blanshay is more used to stepping on boards than knocking on boardroom doors. He also has a “very challenging history with academia.” And he is managing as best he can the rigors of an executive MBA, which as he rightly points out “half of the stuff we’re covering is completely new to me.” And although it seems incredible, a person of this energy and proactivity has a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

However, in September 2022 he was 50% complete of a two-year EMBA at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and, far from feeling like an outsider, he feels more at home than ever.

Blanshay is from Montreal, Canada. It was his uncle who gave him his first contact with the theater when he was returning from a trip to London with a cassette of The Phantom of the Opera. “I sat in front of the stereo all weekend, listening to this amazing piece of art that I fell in love with.”

Blanshay felt in her younger years that he had to curb his love of the arts because he didn’t always consider himself “cool”. He relates that both in primary and secondary school they made him feel like “another”, but when the time came to attend university he finally found himself, and ended up doing theater and plays, although he admits that he did not study everything. what should

Blanshay has been involved in many award-winning shows, but he admits that producing can be very complicated and “as a producer, like in any executive role, there is tremendous pressure on you.” And he adds something that brings him closer to the need for postgraduate training: “There are many days when all you do is finance, pay for things and put out fires.” And it was precisely the commercial aspect of theater production that attracted Blanshay to the EMBA.

You should see what are the postgraduate programs that will teach you more about project management, cultural heritage, fundraising management, performing arts and cultural entrepreneurship

 

Why did he go to executive MBA training?

Because he claims that the producers have not had the necessary studies to do everything they end up doing.

He puts it like this: “I identified gaps in my knowledge base and practice and through research established that an EMBA would be a great fit for me as a businessperson in theater.”

But he also wanted a second chance at college. While studying for his double major in theater and cultural studies at Montreal’s McGill University, Blanshay says he immersed himself in theater extracurricular activities. “Part of the reason he wanted to go back to school was because of the academic challenge and discipline that I didn’t necessarily take full advantage of the first time,” he says.

So every six weeks, he heads to Oxford to learn about topics ranging from analytics and leadership to operations. Basic subjects like accounting are obviously helpful. But, adds Blanshay, the way the course is structured, with students considering in assignments how teaching applies to their industry, means that as an arts professional you find value in topics that may not seem immediately relevant. His assignments have included the economics of Broadway and making the production process more operationally efficient. Elective courses will help you further tailor the program, he says.

He has found that the business school has given him a lot of support, including reading software and personalized help. “I have an advisor that I talk to weekly and he can work with me to come up with a submission schedule, a review schedule and the support I need to cater to the eclectic way I learn.”

You can be one of the professionals who can access the entertainment industry from a law degree apprenticeship and a postgraduate specialization in business. It is a fresh and brilliant mix of specializations that will give you the opportunity to work with contracts and intellectual property, as well as to exercise the legal protection of artistic works, also ensuring that the rights of artists are fully respected

 

Advise other candidates for an executive MBA

Based on his experience, he advises students who are having difficulty balancing work, personal life and the EMBA to be open about their difficulties. “I would recommend not keeping quiet about their struggles,” he says. “Talk to your colleagues, the academics and the administration. Get the support you need to handle the workload.”

But it especially highlights the very important source that colleagues turn out to be, becoming an incredible support network because all the executive MBA candidates are going through this together; everyone is juggling their jobs, and everyone is juggling their families.

Therefore, among the advantages that the executive MBA highlights, is that networking is really priceless, because it is the personal connections that have been “instrumental” to his experience in the course.

He highly values ​​the experience he has been having thus far, highlighting the diversity, entrepreneurship and leadership of his classmates that has truly allowed him to make friends for life.

Being an arts professional at an EMBA has been a journey of acceptance for Blanshay. “I am finally back in an academic situation where my colleagues celebrate and empower me as a student and as a professional, for who I am, for what I bring to the table . . . that has been a life changer. It’s undoing 40 years of psychology, feeling inferior and not good enough.”

Are you trying to build an MBA network that will help you in the world of entertainment?

It is interesting to know the secrets of how to build a network in an MBA. Without a doubt, it will help you in a world as competitive as the entertainment industry.

While applying to business school, then you need to show appreciation through acts of kindness. For example, it is important to make it clear to others, not only how you think, but also to show gratitude and how to show that you care about the help you have received from others. Not only is it an enjoyable thing to do, but it is the foundation of your MBA network that you will rely on for the rest of your career.

The entertainment sector is a field that is heavily involved in the business world and the rapid evolution of visual effects and technologies that apply to film, television, video games, advertising and many other fields, demand a lot from you. more than technical training in art and entertainment (no doubt basic and necessary), which means that you must incorporate knowledge of business, marketing, leadership, project management, etc. And this is not given by art academies but by business schools

 

The lost art of thank you notes

Most people have no idea how to send a concise, simple, direct, but really touching thank you note, and that’s what you want to do every time someone helps you on the path to your MBA success.

Why are thank you notes so important?

Well, as you go through the MBA application process, you’re not only looking to learn about the school and gain support for your candidacy among recommenders and potentially members of the school community, but you’re also looking to build your network. of MBA.

Your MBA network starts today

The people who write your recommendations, the people who answer your questions in a presentation. People who take time out of their day to help you get to know the school better are part of your MBA network.

And the way you carry those friendships, from the moment someone answered a question once, to another person who is a member of your network, the bridge is a thank you note.

Here are some of the people you might want to write thank you notes to

You may want to enter the entertainment industry and you are on an equal footing with other people who want to work in other sectors, or perhaps, as in the case of our Canadian producer example, come to the conclusion that after having made a career in your sector you need more training and knowledge. In other words, you know that your immediate destiny is to pursue an MBA.

The entertainment industry is a fun and vibrant area to explore as a potential career. While people often think of the more public professions in entertainment, such as acting and directing, there are more jobs behind the scenes of a major production than those seen on a stage or film set

 

a) You have to know who are the people who should recommend you

Anyone you connect with at the school, current students, alumni, admissions committee members, faculty members, professional services members, financial aid program members, people who have ever heard of the school, partners of students and alumni.

b) Anyone you connect with during the show

People who provide you with information or support on the trip, be sure to write a thank you note. And this means you need a couple of different types of thank you notes.

How to show gratitude to different people

You need it really short, you don’t need to get a response, but you should say “thank you very much for your help”, and make it clear that it is a “thank you note”. This terse note is one you’re going to send pretty quickly after an interview, after a networking conversation, or after a chat over coffee.

Simply say that the person doesn’t need to respond to your email, but you are thanking them for taking the time to talk to you, answer your questions, interview you, and that you really enjoyed the X, Y, and Z aspects of the interaction. that you have maintained with that person.

It’s important to make it personal and specific to that referred interaction, but keep it really short and also make sure they know they don’t need to respond. The last thing you want to do is get into an email chain back and forth.

When there is substance in communication

Then you’re going to need a longer, more complicated thank you note to anyone who helps you in any substantial way on your journey. If someone gives you some really important advice, he follows through and takes action and that helps you along the way. Someone who writes your recommendation, you obviously have to write them a very important thank you note. Or a member of the admissions committee that you connected with during an event or during any type of program. For these people, you’ll need a slightly more substantial thank you note. And what you’re going to do here is thank them for everything that they did for you and then you’re going to share with them the impact that they had on you and how significant it was that they contributed to your life, your career, the success of your MBA in some way.

Impressive titles that will help you build a career in the entertainment industry

The glitz and glamor of the entertainment industry is enchanting, especially for young international students who are on their way to building a future career. Today, anyone can be among them.

When it comes to success in the world of entertainment, many of the people who achieve it have surely been due to their particular talent, but others have achieved it by studying and working hard. But you can have a successful career after graduating from one of the majors below and contribute to the stability of everything that happens in the media.

Entertainment describes any production or artistic work that entertains an audience through creations such as songs, stage shows, or television broadcasts. Jobs in the entertainment industry range from performers to people with technical skills who create elements for an entertainment production

 

1º) The business of the entertainment industry

If you feel strong in business as well as administrative tasks, why not become an entertainment manager? It’s possible. You have to decide what to study and how to do it in the way that is possible for you, combining work with studies.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys math, short-term and long-term strategy planning, and responsibilities that lead to rewards, then you might see the media industries through the eyes of a businessman. In other words, you should see what are the postgraduate programs that will teach you more about project management, cultural heritage, fundraising management, performing arts and cultural entrepreneurship.

It is also true, as in our example of the producer, you can have access to a postgraduate executive MBA which is the one that will surely open more doors for you, but prior to this decision, you also have many professional opportunities after graduating from a degree course. of the field of knowledge in which you want to work, such as:

– Artist manager.

– Artist relations manager.

– Musical or television producer.

– Casting director.

2º) The justice of the entertainment industry

Do you enjoy court battles, but are you also fascinated by the artistic world? How about becoming a famous lawyer?

This is the case of professionals who can access the entertainment industry from a law degree and a postgraduate specialization in business. It is a fresh and brilliant mix of specializations that will give you the opportunity to work with contracts and intellectual property, as well as to exercise the legal protection of artistic works, also ensuring that the rights of artists are fully respected.

But you have other options, such as that you can also specialize in sports, media regulation, technology rights and other fields. You have possibilities to become a lawyer and work in a certain field or on a specific matter. Whichever side you choose, that career will build you a reputation that will bring you more and more long-term contracts and clients. But in whichever of them you choose as a specialty, a master’s degree in business will be of great help to your career development.

3º) You can also do a Master in Presentation Arts and complement it with an MBA

In other words, you can specialize in live entertainment management or embrace the commercial music side. Such a field focuses on both creative talent and the promotion of the arts and business. This mix of disciplines opens the doors to many careers. In any field you choose, you can become:

– Playwright or a psychotherapist.

– Theater director.

– Broadcast presenter.

– Professor of higher education in the field of art.

There are a number of functions that correspond to what is often called “behind the scenes”, such as doing sketches and design for film production companies, and you can also be in Digital Production for Entertainment Design.

This is a field that is heavily involved in the business world and the rapid evolution of visual effects and technologies that are applied to film, television, video games, advertising and many other fields, demand much more from you than the technical training in art and entertainment (without a doubt basic and necessary), which means that you must incorporate knowledge of business, marketing, leadership, project management, etc. And this is not given by art academies but by business schools.

The questions you are always asking yourself when you want to enter the world of entertainment

You want to enter this fabulous world of entertainment and you ask yourself questions such as:

– How can I get into show business?

– How to get a job in the entertainment industry?

– Am I taking into account all the educational programs related to entertainment so that I can acquire specific training?

– Am I evaluating taking an executive MBA postgraduate course to incorporate knowledge and experiences that I cannot acquire in other specific programs?

– Am I willing to accept an entry-level job, that is, at the most basic level, so that I can say that I am working in the sector?

How to work in the entertainment industry: your guide to starting a career

The entertainment industry is a fun and vibrant area to explore as a potential career. While people often think of the more public professions in entertainment, such as acting and directing, there are more jobs behind the scenes of a major production than those seen on a stage or film set.

If you are interested in finding a job in the world of entertainment, it is important that you find an area in which you want to develop your experience.

For this reason, we are going to deepen from OUR EDITORIAL STAFF, how to work in entertainment, offering suggestions on how to start working in this industry, as well as making available to our readers a list of jobs in entertainment.

As in so many other sectors of the economy, the main job searches that you have next in the area where you live, may correspond to part-time jobs, full time, work from home, hybrid work (home and office) and other formulas that could arise according to the needs of the market.

The entertainment industry is a field of employment related to television, theater, film, and music. Entertainment describes any production or artistic work that entertains an audience through creations such as songs, stage shows, or television broadcasts. Jobs in the entertainment industry range from performers to people with technical skills who create elements for an entertainment production.

What is it like to work in the entertainment industry?

Working in the entertainment industry is often different from many professions due to the variety of hours and locations where entertainment professionals work.

They often work long hours, sometimes overnight. Entertainment jobs may require traveling and working away from home for long periods of time.

For example, touring with a musical artist or working on location on a movie set are some examples of entertainment positions that differ from traditional jobs in both the hours and the demands of the position.

Skills in the entertainment industry

These are some of the skills that can help professionals find jobs in the entertainment industry, what a surprise! You will see that all of them precisely correspond to the soft skills that are studied in the leadership modules of any MBA program:

Creativity: Professionals in the entertainment industry work on creative projects to share and express ideas to an audience.

They often contribute to these projects through their area of ​​expertise. The entertainment business is all about creative content, which makes this skill important for anyone looking to join the industry.

Adaptability: Since work schedules, locations, and tasks can change rapidly during a production, those ready to work in the entertainment industry must adapt to be able to perform their jobs in different situations. Many roles in entertainment require flexibility and the ability to complete multiple tasks and job duties.

Self-Confidence – Artists need confidence to take the stage in front of an audience, but many careers in the entertainment industry benefit from a confident personality. From pitching ideas to production staff to mentoring and coaching talent, entertainment professionals need the confidence to share their ideas and promote their own creativity or the creativity of others.

Business Intelligence: For some industry professionals, freelance jobs are the best way to work in entertainment. Freelancing means taking on the business side of entertainment through sales, billing, and marketing transactions.

Time Management: Working as a creative professional in entertainment requires planning and intentionality. Going from one task to another in a production environment means staying on top of deadlines and managing your own schedule to accommodate different projects or tasks as needed.

Multitasking: From theater to television, entertainment work involves multiple elements happening at once. Audience-facing roles such as acting or singing require a wide range of behind-the-scenes positions. For entertainment productions to be successful, professionals are often called in for action, from planning to the actual event to post-event work.

Persistence – For some people, getting started in the entertainment industry requires continual effort. Persistence in job hunting, applying for positions, or even submitting scripts can be the key to finding the right opportunity.

Related: Writing an Entertainment Resume With Tips, Template, and Example

In this list of courses and different programs that you are analyzing, you cannot miss the options of doing an EMBA, which will add skills, experience and a powerful network that will serve you for all your future development

 

How to get a job in the entertainment industry

Working in the entertainment industry is often a different path than trying to find work in a more traditional field. No fixed education or experience is necessary for many entertainment jobs, and people often find positions through contacts already in the field, working from entry-level jobs related to entertainment production and persevering through the first few years until they find a job. place in the industry. Here are some steps you can take to help you find a job in the entertainment industry

a) Consider different educational programs

Some entertainment jobs require specific training. Taking a film school course or learning through industry-specific schools can help you gain the knowledge and experience needed for a career in entertainment. In this list of courses and different programs that you are analyzing, you cannot miss the options of doing an EMBA, which will add skills, experience and a powerful network that will serve you for all your future development.

Both in-person and online programs give students the opportunity to learn skills from a variety of specializations within the industry. Any of these programs, especially the EMBAs, can give you the opportunity to network with industry professionals and make lasting connections with fellow students who are also trying to start their careers in entertainment.

b) Be willing to accept an entry-level job

The entertainment industry is a highly competitive field and getting started may require you to take low-paying jobs in order to move up to more advanced positions.

Production environments often require many assistants to perform tasks for different departments or professionals. Producers, costume designers, and set designers are just a few of the professionals who often require assistants before, during, and after a production.

c) Start acting as an extra

For those interested in acting in the entertainment industry, they might consider working as extras for film or television. Constant work as an extra can help you build your resume and meet casting directors, agents, and film directors.

Side work usually pays you a fair wage, and you can use your free time to book other jobs, study online courses, or work on your own media content.

d) Intern or volunteer

Working as an intern can be a great way to make connections within the entertainment industry. Interns work for little or no pay or sometimes receive school credit for taking on assignments wherever they are. Interns are also viewed as trainees and often have more opportunities to shadow professionals already working in advanced positions within the industry.

Volunteering can be another way to get started in the world of entertainment. Simply introduce yourself and ask where you can help in order to get the connections you need to find a paying job. If you earn income from a different job, try volunteering on your days off until you can find a more permanent position.

e) Network

Having a variety of contacts can help you in any career, but the entertainment industry is often considered more difficult to break into without connections. First, try to find industry connections within your group of family and friends. Next, try joining networking groups, for example online. If you can, attend entertainment industry events that will give you the opportunity to speak with professionals already working in the field.

f) Go where work abounds

Certain areas of the world are hubs for entertainment productions with a network of creative people working together in studios and elsewhere. In the United States, California and New York have traditionally existed as centers of theatrical arts. If you really want to find a career in the entertainment industry, you may want to consider relocating to an area rich in productions and entertainment industry professionals.

g) Cultivate your passion

Many find their dream job in the entertainment industry by pursuing their own passions and creative talents. They overcome challenges and sometimes rejection until they get a chance to show off their own artistic abilities. As you pursue a career, continue your own projects and creative growth. You could lead to a strong position in the future.

This information has been prepared by OUR EDITORIAL STAFF

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