BELMONT UNIVERSITY

BELMONT WEST

MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: The Entertainment Industry in L.A.

Course # MBU 499

Credits: 3 hours Semester: Spring 2006

Class Location: A-101 Meeting Times: T-R 10:30-11:45 a.m.

Professor: James I. Elliott

D-214

Phone: 323-878-2406 Cell: 615-400-7321 Email: elliottj@mail.belmont.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to expose the student to the Entertainment Industry in Los Angeles. The class will include lectures and discussions on the film, television and music business. By means of guest speakers and student participation in various assignments, the goal is a general knowledge of the world’s leading entertainment center. The class also will include several field trips to enhance the learning experience. There will also be some attention paid to the wealth of culture that flourishes here represented by the many museums and cultural events in the city.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

As a result of this course the student should be able to identify the major film, television and music producers in Los Angeles. Students should also understand the process of getting films and television shows produced. The class will also include discussions of the industry trade magazines and how they support the mainstream media reporting on the entertainment industry. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the semester in Los Angeles to learn as much as possible about the tremendous influence Los Angles has on global entertainment.

GOALS OF THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS:

To provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes leadership, innovation, private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.

To equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, accept responsibility, make successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.

To emphasize quality classroom instructions within the parameters of ethical Christian principles.

HONOR CODE

As members of the Belmont Community, students, faculty, staff, and administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors which compromise value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the University has adopted an Honor System. Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable academic work.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. ATTENDANCE:

It is very important that you attend all scheduled class meetings for the best learning experience. For a complete explanation of the attendance policy see The Belmont University Bulletin. A lack of attendance may result in suspension from Belmont West.

2. MATERIALS:

Hollywood 101 by Frederick Levy, Renaissance Books, required.

Hollywood Drive by Eve Light Honthaner, Focal Press

3. PREPARED ASSIGNMENTS:

Film

Each student should attend a minimum of two movies during the semester. Students are encouraged to view one major release and one independent film. An effort should be made to obtain a pass for a private screening of an upcoming film. These passes are often distributed in front of such places as the AMC 14 Theaters in Burbank and the Farmers Market in Hollywood on Sundays. After you attend each film you should write a two-page double spaced paper reviewing the film. You may be given further instruction on what the review should include by the professor. The films will be discussed in class as noted in the class schedule.

Television

Each student should attend two TV tapings during the semester. The shows attended must be different production types. For example, you could attend a sitcom such as “The King of Queens,” “According To Jim,” “That ‘70s Show,” “Reba,” “Will & Grace,” and a talk show like “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” or a game show like “The Price Is Right.” You can get information on tickets online @ www.tvtickets.com, www.freeTVshows.com, and www.tvtix.com. You can also check the network websites: www.abc.com, www.cbs.com, www.fox.com, www.nbc.com. The completion of the assignment is to write a two-page page double spaced paper on each taping describing the experience.

Music/Sports

You can choose to attend a live musical performance or a sporting event and write a one to two-page double spaced paper on the experience.

Speech

Each student is required to prepare and present a 5 minute informative speech. There are two choices for topics: 1. A report on your internship experience, or 2. A current issue in the entertainment industry. If you choose option 2, you must base your speech on a minimum of 3 sources and must include one of the following: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Billboard or The Los Angeles Times. An outline must be submitted before the speech is given.

4. GRADING:

5 papers @ 10% each = 50% Grading Scale:

Speech 20% 93-100 = A, 90-92 = A-, 87-89 = B+, 83-86 = B

Final exam 25% 80-82 = B-, 77-79 = C+, 73-76 = C, 70-72 = C-

Chapter Summaries 5% 67-69 = D+, 63-66 = D, 60-62 = D-

Total: 100%

5. CLASS SCHEDULE

Tue. Jan. 10 Course introduction/syllabus review

Wed. Jan 11 Guest Speaker: Kerry Ware, The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Class meets at 8:00 p.m.

Thur. Jan. 12 Billboard Winners and Losers of 2005

Class meets in North clubhouse TV room

Tue. Jan. 17 Guest Speaker: Jonathan Watkins, EA Sports

Class meets in North clubhouse TV room @ 9:45 for weekly meeting

Thur. Jan. 19 Guest Speaker: Jennifer Bockman, Walden Media

Class meets in North clubhouse TV room

Tue. Jan. 24 Hollywood 101 Chapters 1-3

Thur. Jan. 26 Guest Speaker, Michael Rayner, Comedian/Actor/Writer

Class meets in North clubhouse TV room (www.michaelrayner.com)

Tue. Jan. 31 Papers due: Movie # 1, TV # 1

Discuss papers in class & Academy Awards Nominations

Wed. Feb. 1 Erin Melby, Captiol Records

Class meets @ 7:30

Thur. Feb. 2 Warner Brothers Studio Tour

Meet at Forest Lawn gate @ 9:00 a.m.

Tue. Feb. 7 Dean VanHook

Thur. Feb. 9 Grammy Awards winners

Hollywood 101 Chapters 4-7 Chapter reviews 1-7 due

Tue. Feb. 14 Hollywood 101 Chapters 8-11

Thur. Feb. 16 Hollywood 101 Chapters 12-17 Chapter reviews 8-17 due

Tue. Feb. 21 Guest Speaker

Class meets @ 9:45 for weekly meeting

Thur. Feb. 23 Field trip: Paramount Studio Tour

Feb. 27 – Mar. 3 Spring Break

Tue. Mar. 7 Television Production in Los Angeles

Academy Award winners

Thur. Mar. 9 Creating a television show

Tue. Mar. 14 Guest Speaker: John R. Elliott, CBS2-TV

Class meets in North clubhouse TV room

Thur. Mar. 16 Field trip: CBS Columbia Square Studios: KCBS-TV www.cbs2.com

Depart Oakwood @ 7:30 a.m.

Tue. Mar. 21 Current Issues in Entertainment

Thur. Mar. 23 Guest Speaker

Class meets in North clubhouse TV room

Tue. Mar. 28 Papers due: Movie # 2, TV # 2

Discuss papers in class

Thur. Mar. 30 Field trip: The Autry National Center – the Southwest Museum of the American

Indian and the Museum of the American West or

The Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Tue. Apr. 4 Field trip: Getty Museum

Depart Oakwood @ 9:00 a.m. www.getty.edu

Thur. Apr. 6 The Music Industry in L.A.

Tue. Apr. 11 Music/Sports paper due - Discuss papers in class

Thur. Apr. 16 Easter Break

Tue. Apr. 18 Speeches

Thur. Apr. 20 Speeches/ Review for final

Tue. Apr. 25 Final Exam