Los Angeles is often called the “Creative Capital of the World” – fitting, with every six residents of the city working in a creative industry. In fact, there are more artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers, and musicians living and working in L.A. than in any other city at any time in history. So it makes sense that the UCLA Anderson School of Management offers programs for students interested in working in entertainment.
Mark E. Lee, FEMBA ’17 and vice president of special projects for the Anderson Entertainment Management Association (EMA), shared his perspective on his fit with Anderson’s program: “Being able to gain my MBA while continuing my work in the entertainment industry (with myriad more resources from EMA and also Anderson’s Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment, & Sports to grow my professional connections) provided the perfect combination of quality instruction and opportunity for professional growth,” he said.
He added that Anderson’s location close to a number of major studios translates into direct benefits for MBA students with artistic aspirations. “Not only do we seem to have executives from content producers, distributors, music labels, and game companies on campus each week, but many of the FEMBA students themselves are in rising managerial roles at these very same companies whose entertainment offices are in the L.A. area. So not only do we learn from experienced professors such as Peter Guber or Harry Sloan, but we can also learn from and connect with our fellow classmates.”
One of UCLA Anderson’s most helpful offerings for students looking to enter the entertainment industry is the Entertainment Management Association. The EMA prepares students for careers in entertainment and media through a variety of professional, educational, and networking events. The association also focuses on helping students deepen their industry knowledge to position them for success post-graduation.
“EMA is a great resource for any student because it offers so much opportunity in very different ways,” explained Lee. “From attending events to planning them, there is something for everyone. In an industry where careers can be made with being in the right place at the right time, EMA provides a wide array of ways to take advantage of these opportunities when they come our way. EMA also has a strong alumni/ae network, and I look forward to continuing my relationship with EMA as an alum as well as an Anderson alum.”
As part of its mission to educate students about all areas of entertainment and media, EMA recently welcomed Joss Whedon to campus to speak about his digital production company, Save the Day, and the lessons he learned from its success and failure. “Joss Whedon’s initiatives in Save the Day show us that we can share our voice in multitudes of ways, as long as we’re willing to be creative and daring to be innovative,” said Lee. “Specifically working and being in the entertainment industry might allow us resources to see certain creative visions to fruition, but the truth of the matter is that these technological days anyone can delve into short form content and story telling to make their voice heard.”
While Whedon’s visit was definitely a highlight, Lee describes it as one example of the many ways Anderson and EMA prepare students to enter and thrive in the entertainment industry. “Major events such as the annual Entertainment Career Night and the Pulse Conference provide huge networking opportunities for EMA’s members,” explained Lee.
He also commented on the unique merits of earning his UCLA MBA while working. “As a Fully-Employed MBA student, I have taken many best practices to work the very next business day and continually use each gained connection through EMA throughout my entire Anderson career. Working full time while earning an MBA may be taxing on my schedule, but it has provided far more benefit with regards to growing and cultivating my entertainment industry network.”
To learn more about UCLA Anderson’s entertainment industry offerings, visit the school website.
This post has been republished in its entirety from its original source, metromba.com.
