Entertainment Management

Subject Description

Over half a trillion dollars is spent worldwide on entertainment, and in the UK alone the creative and cultural industries are growing at twice the rate of the UK economy - although this may have halted slightly over the last few months. It is obvious from these figures that we are spending more money on our free time and in return expecting a wide range of entertainment experiences. For this to happen, there needs to be people arranging, creating, promoting and managing these experiences for our entertainment pleasure.

Entertainment comes in many forms: comedy, reading, theatre, music, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, computer games, radio, television, sport and the circus all provide us with entertainment. The choice is huge and is growing as technology advances and as people feel the need to use their often limited spare time more wisely.

Entertainment management may mean the promotion of a Hollywood blockbuster, the staging of the Glastonbury Festival, the summer show of the Royal Academy of Art or a television commercial for the latest theme park. The entertainment and leisure industries are now such a huge part of the cultural and business activity of the UK population that people are needed in large numbers to work in these sectors.

Example areas of study

Courses in entertainment management and the related areas vary quite considerably between institutions. Some have quite a broad focus on events management and the events business whereas others focus more on entertainment production and technologies. As always it is important that you check the course content with the institutions that you wish to apply to, but in this case you also need to check that the focus of the course is right for you. An idea of the modules that are available for study on entertainment management courses can be found below:

• Digital entertainment technology
• Entertainment industries
• Animation
• Modern theatre
• Media production
• Music and music technology
• Games and virtual environments
• Community arts
• Events management and marketing
• Entertainment marketing
• Entertainment business environment
• Food and beverage management
• Crown control and management
• Advertising and promotion
• Gaming and casino management
• Consumer behaviour and marketing
• Entrepreneurial studies
• Entertainment operations
• Media theory
• Tourist attractions management
• Entertainment technologies
• Festival management
• Entertainment finance and sponsorship
• Hospitality management
• Tourism studies
• Music industry entertainment
• E-publishing
• Innovations in entertainment
• Live arts management
• Cultural management

Some career possibilities

It is acknowledged within the entertainment industries that there is a shortage of suitably qualified graduates to work as managers in the music and entertainment sectors. With this in mind there are a number of areas that you may wish to work in once you have finished your course. Opportunities may exist in music venues, theatres, tourist attractions, festival organisers, casinos, cinemas or conference and exhibition centres. Alternatively you may wish to purse a career in the broadcast media sector, publishing, advertising, public relations, fundraising or the sports sector. There are now a number of websites that can arrange party and corporate hospitality from table decorations to the latest chart-topping band, so opportunities may be available here. A general entertainment management search on Google will bring these websites up.

What do I need to get on a course?

Some of the courses in entertainment management are Foundation Degrees so the entry requirements vary a little. It is important that you check the entry requirements with the institutions before you submit your application. The list below will give you an idea of the grades and qualifications that you may need to get on a course in entertainment management:

• UCAS Tariff: 160-300 points. 80 points upwards for a Foundation Degree
• A-levels: CC-BBB. C upwards for a Foundation Degree
• SQA Advanced Highers: CC-BBB
• Irish Leaving Certificates: BBCCC
• International Baccalaureate: 24-28 points
• Some institutions may like to see evidence of work experience

For you application or interview the following may be useful:

• Work experience in your chosen industry may be an advantage
• A useful website is Event Magazine

To find out more about the typical subjects you will study, potential career paths and further information useful for your application log-on to Course Discover at www.coursediscoveronline.co.uk*

*NB: Your school or college will need a subscription to Course Discover in order for you to gain access, for further information go to:www.coursediscover.co.uk