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Course #/Title: |
EIS 3840.1/ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION & PROMOTION |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3 Hours |
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Semester: |
SPRING 2009 |
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Instructor: |
Sarita Stewart, B.S. Business Administration; MBA |
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Instructor Contacts: |
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Instructor Office Hours: |
Office: Massey 247; M 12 pm – 2 pm, 5 pm – 6 pm; T 10 am – 12 pm; W 11 am – 2 pm; by appointment |
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Class Location: |
Massey 209B |
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Meeting Times: |
M/W 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm |
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Final Exam: |
Friday, May 8, 2009 |
Course Description: This course is an in-depth study of the channels of distribution and methods of promotion of entertainment products including movies, television, recorded music, video games, software and books.
Course Outcomes: By the end of this course, each student be able to demonstrate the following: 1) Read a script and be able to effectively summarize the details into a short synopsis 2) Be able to prepare and present a pitch around a movie or television project 3) Analyze and prepare a budget outlining above and below the line costs 4) Analyze and evaluate a movie based on its production values 5) Plan, write and execute a distribution and marketing plan around a film or television development project.
Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will demonstrate their understanding of entertainment distribution and promotion thorough the use of individual and group projects and papers. The goal of these projects is to give each student various experiences in the strategy planning and execution around the launch of entertainment oriented products.
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated and measured by written responses comprised of short form and long form essays. An oral presentation summarizing the activities of a group project will also be the basis for evaluation.
Testing & Assignments:
Testing: (20%) The Budgeting Exercise will serve as a substitute for the class midterm. This assignment is due at the beginning of class on Monday, March 2. This assignment represents 15% of each student’s overall grade.
There will be an in-class final on Friday, May at 5 pm. The exam is final and will be graded on a traditional scale of 0 to 100%. Exams may not be “made up” if absent, unless it is excused prior excuse or through an official university function. This exam represents 5% of the overall class grade.
Assignments:
A combination of individual and group assignments are designed to demonstrate competence relating to class material and are due on the assigned dates given in class and listed on Blackboard. Assignments are due at the start of the class period unless alternative arrangements are made with the instructor. Assignments are expected to be typed and turned in via “hard copy.” It is your responsibility to print, staple and turn in your assignment. NO EMAILS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Late assignments as well as assignments with missing segments will be penalized. All assignments will be returned to the students graded with comments. Students are expected to keep up with all assignment due dates, and not being present at the time of a class assignment is not considered an excuse for a late completion. No assignments will be accepted after the final course grade has been turned into the registrar unless previous arrangements are made with the instructor.
The assignments given are designed to be able to successfully complete and demonstrate competence in the understanding, creation and execution of the following:
Group Project: (25%) Students will be placed in assigned groups. Groups will be matched up with a movie or television project. Each group will be responsible to develop an overall distribution and marketing campaign around a movie or television development concept. More details will be presented on the group project during the course of the class.
Group Presentation: (10%) Each group will give a short class presentation that outlines the strategies and work that the group undertook around their movie or television development project. Presentations will take place on 4/29/09. More details to be presented during the course of class.
Class participation: (5%) While class participation is not an “assignment,” it is very important element of your grade in that it accounts for 5% of your overall grade. It is recommended that each student come prepared to discuss the various class topics highlighted for the day. At the instructor’s discretion, there may be a confidential team evaluation given upon final project completion. The combined average team contribution (0 – 100%) may be applied to the individual part of your team grade as well as the peer evaluation/participation percentage (5%). If used, the Peer Evaluation will rate participation, meeting team deadlines, overall cooperation, work quality and amount of contribution. These assessments will reflect 5% of each student’s overall grade.
Instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus as needed.
Grading:
Peer Evaluation/Class Participation 5%
Script Synopsis 10%
Budgeting Exercise 15%
Project Pitches 10%
Movie Production Analysis 10%
Hollywood Stock Exchange 10%
Marketing Group Project 25%
Marketing Group Presentation 10%
Final Exam 5%
Final Grade 100%
COURSE & CLASSROOM POLICIES:
Attendance & Participation:
This course follows the attendance policies as stated in the current Belmont University Bulletin. Class participation is expected, including outside classroom activities; attendance and absence will be noted. If you miss more than eight classes, you may be involuntarily dropped from the course with a grade of “WF.” Absences are considered excused if the instructor is given prior notice, and for reasons such as family emergencies, extremely sick, etc. Additional accepted excuses are official university sanctioned events with an excuse from the Provost’s Office. Attendance will be taken each class period through the use of a class signup sheet.
Attendance is critical during the duration of this course, due to the nature of the individual and group projects incorporated throughout the semester. Each student is expected to attend all of the class meetings for the best possible learning experience. Every lecture will cover material necessary to a thorough understanding of the concepts.
Materials:
Entertainment Weekly magazine (Required)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script Services) (Required)
The instructor may choose to assign additional readings as necessary. All additional readings and handouts will be posted on Blackboard.
Grade Evaluation: As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:
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Grade |
Percent (GPA) |
Grade |
Percent (GPA) |
Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major. |
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A |
94 (4.0) |
C |
74 (2.0) |
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A- |
90 (3.7) |
C- |
70 (1.7) |
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B+ |
87 (3.3) |
D+ |
67 |
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B |
84 (3.0) |
D |
64 |
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B- |
80 (2.7) |
D- |
60 |
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C+ |
77 (2.3) |
F |
<60 |
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Honor Code: It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code. “In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”
Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.
Class Schedule: (Subject to change at instructor’s discretion)
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Week |
Date |
Topics |
Reading Assignment |
Assignments Due |
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1 |
1/14/09 |
Class Introduction/Trends |
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1/19/09 |
NO CLASS – MLK Holiday |
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2 |
1/21/09 |
In-class movie |
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3 |
1/26/09 |
The Producer |
Handouts |
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1/28/09 |
The Producer |
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Hollywood Stock Exchange 1 |
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4 |
2/2/09 |
The Script |
Eternal Sunshine…. |
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2/4/08 |
The Script |
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5 |
2/9/09 |
Budgeting |
Handouts |
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2/11/09 |
Budgeting |
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Script Synopsis 1 |
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6 |
2/16/09 |
Financing |
Handouts |
HSX #2 |
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2/18/08 |
Financing |
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7 |
2/23/09 |
Pre-Production |
Handouts |
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2/25/09 |
The Shoot |
Handouts |
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8 |
3/2/09 |
The Shoot |
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Budget Analysis 2 |
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3/4/09 |
Casting |
Handouts |
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9 |
3/9/09 |
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK |
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3/11/09 |
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK |
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10 |
3/16/09 |
Post-Production |
Handouts |
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3/18/09 |
Distribution |
Handouts |
HSX #3 |
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11 |
3/23/09 |
Distribution |
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3/25/09 |
Speed Movie Pitches |
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Movie Analysis 3 |
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12 |
3/30/09 |
Marketing/Publicity |
Handouts |
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4/1/09 |
Marketing/Publicity |
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13 |
4/6/09 |
Marketing/Publicity |
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Project Pitches 4/HSX #4 |
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4/8/09 |
NO CLASS – EASTER BREAK |
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14 |
4/13/09 |
Marketing/Publicity |
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4/15/09 |
Marketing/Publicity |
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15 |
4/20/09 |
Nashville Film Festival |
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4/22/09 |
Broadcast Market |
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HSX #5 |
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16 |
4/27/09 |
Broadcast Market |
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4/29/09 |
Group Presentations |
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17 |
5/4/09 |
Last Day of Class |
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Project Papers due |
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