Master’s Degree Program Reflection
MDL 510 Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership
Goal: Do what it takes to become a Master
1.    Complete (3) Lynda.com tutorials for each course
3.    Follow my primal inclination(s)
From the beginning of this Master’s degree program, I was pumped and knew that I would see this program through to the very end. Looking back over these courses, I start from the beginning, always finding myself remembering the message of this first course in Mastery. This was an awesome way to start out this journey. I applaud Full Sail and this course in Mastery.
The question stands: What did I learn? I learned what a Master is. More importantly, I learned what it takes to become a Master. Understanding that everyone has the potential to become one but also understanding that everyone might not apply themselves to the level of which Mastery requires. This course has helped build the foundation for me to step out and be all that I can be…all that I am…all that I will become.
MAN 630 Executive Leadership
Goal: To have clearly recognizable leadership skills
1.    Utilize tutorials and workshops
2.    Take advantage of leadership opportunities
3.    Practice utilizing newly acquired skills in real life situations
I felt like I was already a leader before this course. I had taken courses in Leadership before. I had already been the go to person or the one that people looked towards for answers or direction. At the end of this road, I can see that I set forth a lot of objectives for each course that I might say I didn’t fulfill. I might not have utilized many tutorials or workshops but I have taken advantage of leadership opportunities.
What I learned the most from taking this course it that a great leader always learns. That piggy backs from the previous course in Mastery…lifetime learning. So although I came into this course as a leader, I learned to be a leader amongst leaders.
MAN 603 Project and Team Management
Goal: Enhance my skills in this area
1.    Utilize tutorialsÂ
2.    Reach out to others for collaborations
3.    Get involved with project opportunities
The way I approached this course was the same way I came into the Executive Leadership course. I came into this course with experience managing teams and projects. What I love about learning at this level is that it shows you what you don’t know or what you thought you knew. Even if you come with experience or knowledge, learning at this level helps you see things from a different perspective.
I feel that I’ve reach my goal of enhancing my skills in project and team management. I learned what I didn’t know about this kind of management and learned new skills that would help me be better. By immediately applying what I was learning, I had a chance to see what worked for me in my real-life and what wasn’t working for me. I have also found a new interest in project management instead of just management on a general level.
MAR 630 Business Storytelling and Brand Development
Goal: Learn how to become an icon
1.    Study my role models and those I admire
2.    Take advantage of speaking opportunities
3.    Increase my business presence
This course, along with the Mastery course, impacted my business a lot. Learning about brand development gave me an advantage over my direct competitors. A lot of artists and producers think they can just make something and it will sell itself. I see all the time very simple ideas or digital content go viral. That’s fine for those that achieve viral status, but for the millions of others that are creating content, there needs to be a strategic plan in place. A major part of that plan is Business Storytelling and Brand Development.
The great thing is, I already have a story to tell. This course helped me organize that story and develop a story line. Business Storytelling and Brand Development help me develop a plan to tell my story in a way that will grow my business and build brand loyalty. I have a better understanding of creating an experience for people and how that will keep them coming back for more.
GEB 6508 Entertainment Business Finance
Outcome: Enhance my skills at completing projects within a budget
1.    Develop two project budgets for my business
2.    Utilize Lynda.com tutorials
3.    Collaborate on a budgeted project
I am the queen of working on a budget, especially a low budget. I’ve been completing projects for years on a low budget. Like the previous courses, I came into this one with experience. One thing that I didn’t have a lot of experience in was the development of a written budget. Sure, I write things done all the time but I often used them for personal records. This class helped me develop the format and templates for my business budgets.
The goal I set forth for this class I feel I have reached. Like I said, I came into this course with previous experience and now feel like I am equipped with more knowledge about this subject. I could use a little more practice so that I can get into the habit of keeping great business records. Enhancing my record keeping skills, I think, will continue to enhance my business finance skills.
MAN 6446 Negotiation and Deal Making
Goal: Increase my negotiating and deal-making skills
1.    Utilize tutorials
2.    Practice these skills within my business
3.    Play deal making games in my free time (Monopoly, etc.)
I really enjoyed this class. This was one of the course I struggled in, not due to lack of ability or understanding but because I wasn’t completing my assignments on time and losing points unnecessarily. I class has given me some more ammunition in my business artillery. I am already an intense person and have been told that I have a strong energy. I can be intimidating and have been told this a lot.
After the course, I feel like I have the gift of gab. I already could talk with the best of them about pretty much anything. Very seldom would I lose an argument. Now that I have taken this course, not once but twice, I know how to position myself to get what I want out of pretty much any deal. FYI: I am real competition in Monopoly.
EBM 591 Product and Artist Management
Outcome: By the end of this course, be equipped enough to begin recruiting my own artists
1.    Brainstorm on what I have to offer as a talent manager
2.    Start prospecting artists
3.    Create artist profiles
This course was another one that I struggled with. Again, it wasn’t because I couldn’t do the work. I try not to be a complainer or create excuses why I was unsuccessful. During this and the previous course, life happened and this effected my grades. During this time, I applied my grit and determination to finish, regardless if I was set back in time as well as in GPA.
I liked this course because it exposed me to product management. I was aware that product development was a component of an artist’s career but never knew how much went into it. I wasn’t surprised by the process but can say that it seemed tedious. Regardless, I understand its importance and how it becomes another strategy to make money for the team.
BUL 5628 Advanced Entertainment Law
Goal: To assimilate rules and regulations of Entertainment Law
1.    Utilize findlaw.com to browse
2.    Follow an Entertainment Law blog
3.    Follow Harvey Levin
Honestly, I don’t remember too much from this course. I do remember doing a couple of case studies. I can say that I am more aware of some of the elements that are considered when dealing with Entertainment Law and litigation. Most people are familiar with copyright infringement and think that these are the most common cases in Entertainment Law. I was surprised to see the varying cases and what they were disputing, ranging from infringement to non-payment of fees or money owed.
I think that after this course, I have become more considerate of what to do and what not to do to avoid litigation. Contract law become very important. Writing everything down and being specific is also very important. No, I’m not a lawyer but I can safely say I know the basic to avoid being sued or who to sue if needed.
MMC 6256 Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution
Outcome: Publish more of my work
1.    Research the top entertainment media publishing and distribution companies
2.    Research the different options based on budget
3.    Follow current events about publishing and distribution
I learned a lot in this class. I wouldn’t say that the information was new or surprising. The information offered through this course put things into a new light, helping me see it from a different perspective. This is one major reason why I think people should attend college or higher learning institutes. Adult education exposes you to so much more than you would everyday life and with everyday people.
This course painted the picture of how social media and free software and applications help people get their content distributed much more easily. There was a time when the middle man, distributor, had most of the power and got a lot of the money. Now, with things like Facebook and Amazon, creators can reach their target market on various budgets. Now, anybody can pretty much get out there, even if they don’t have a large budget. With creativity and a sound strategy, content creators can reach a worldwide audience and make a lot of money from publishing.
MAR 681 Digital Marketing
1.    Utilize Lynda.com tutorials
2.    Develop a marketing plan
3.    Map out website layout
This course piggybacks from the previous course, opening students up to using the social media movement as a means to promote and distribute. I did achieve my goal of developing my website. I haven’t purchased a domain name just yet because I want to brush up on my marketing skills and direct more traffic to my site. I love anything that help me develop and has practical applications. This course had a direct impact on my business.
With anything kind of learning and the application of knowledge, it can sometime be tedious. Â I think by this point of the program, I had a good grasp on how to pass this course with a good grade.
GEB 612 Business Plan Development
Goal: Develop a feasible business plan
1.    Spend extra time on my course work to have A+ material
2.    Utilize tutorials and tips
3.    Get feedback from consultant
By the time we reach this course, you should already have the components you need to be successful. In this course, everything comes to together. Between this course and the next course, you have an opportunity to iron out any details you may have missed from the previous courses. This course gives you a chance to see what you have and what you can change to make your plan better. This was the chance get the feedback or tips for improvement.
I think that this course gives the false impression of being the end of the program although I was aware that there was another course after. The teacher was great. He was very easy going and was there to help if needed. Again, this course was pretty much bringing all together 1.0. Although I didn’t consult anyone outside of the instructor, I did get an A.Â
EBM 692 Final Project: Business Plan
Goal: Have a solid plan that I can implement into my actual business
1.    Get an A+ in this course
2.    Allot extra time for course work
3.    Follow-up with consultants
The final course of the Entertainment Business Master of Science program was “bringing it all together” 2.0. This is where you really had to iron the details out and present everything as if you were ready for an investor. I liked this course because there was real-life information given investments or possible investors. There was a emphasis put on the financial parts of the plan. This wasn’t a hard course at all because every other course prior to this one helps you develop the components needed for the Final Business Plan.
I shared with a friend that this was the first time in my career that I completed a business plan. Sure, I had started many others plans but never finished them. I never gotten into the thoughts of possible investors. I had always thought of the boot strap method. Have a solid business plan now gives me the opportunity to get investors. It also shows how serious I am about what I do. I appreciate this course and the entire program because it helped me become one step closer to living my dreams and what I have been aspiring for all my life.
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