UCLA Anderson and the Entertainment Industry: Inseparable

Los Angeles is often called the “Creative Capital of the World,” and it’s no wonder since one in every six residents of the city works in a creative industry. In fact, there are more artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers and musicians living and working in LA than 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 the entertainment industry.

UCLA Anderson and the Entertainment Industry

“Anderson’s FEMBA program is one of the best in the country; and 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 [MEMES] to grow my professional connections) provided the perfect combination of quality instruction and opportunity for professional growth,” explained Mark E. Lee, EMA Vice President of Special Projects and FEMBA ’17. “Anderson’s locale in the heart of all the major studios means its students have the greatest and most convenient access to the most influential executives and minds in the entertainment industry. 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 LA area. So not only do we learn from experienced Professors such as Peter Guber or Harry Sloan (only to name a couple), but we can also learn from and connect with our classmates, who are currently working at many of the companies other students are interested in. The layers of networking at Anderson seem infinite.”

The Entertainment Management Association

And one of the best programs at UCLA Anderson for students looking to enter the entertainment industry is the Entertainment Management Association. 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 so that they can achieve unmatched 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. Alums significantly add to the value of EMA, especially since they represent a way for the networking to reach into multiple generations of industry executives.”

A Visit From Joss Whedon

As part of EMA’s mission to build strong professional networks while educating students in all major functional areas of entertainment and media, the 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.”

Entertainment Opportunities

But while Joss Whedon’s visit was definitely a January highlight for Anderson and the EMA, it is only a small representation of how UCLA prepares students to enter the entertainment industry.

“The Entertainment Media Association at Anderson puts together many events and opportunities during the entire year, from special speaker engagements like having Joss Whedon speak in a 400-seat hall, to senior studio executives discussing the film industry with 10-12 students over lunch,” explained Lee. “Additionally, major events such as the annual Entertainment Career Night and the Pulse Conference provide huge networking opportunities for EMA’s members. As a Fully-Employed MBA Student (FEMBA), 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. I have made connections through Anderson that would be far harder to make on my own.”

To learn more about UCLA Anderson’s many opportunities within the entertainment industry, visit the school website.

regions: Los Angeles

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