Stephen Adams
Graduate, UBC Certificate in Entertainment Administration
What would motivate Stephen Adams, an actor, writer, director and producer with 25 years of experience in the industry, to take the UBC Certificate in Entertainment Administration? "I took the program to improve my entertainment business knowledge in order to take my production company to the next level. And it worked."
"These days in the world of show business, you need to know as much about the 'business' as you do about the 'show'," explains Stephen, president of Dreamstate Productions and co-producer of The Baby Formula, which has been screened in over 50 film festivals around the world and had its theatrical release in 2009 with Maple Pictures Distributing.
"This program gave me a better understanding of the business aspects of the industry I work in. For example, I recently had to put together a marketing and distribution package for one of my feature films - which I've never had to do before - but I felt very confident doing it thanks to what I learned in the program."
After moving from Toronto to Vancouver in fall 2008, Stephen began the full-time Entertainment Administration program in January 2009 and graduated in April. During the intensive 13-week program, he learned about producing, distributing, marketing and funding entertainment for both a Canadian and international audience. "It can be overwhelming at times, but you walk away knowing that the instructors' expertise and their passion for the program have groomed you for the realities of the business," he observes.
As part of the full-time program, Stephen also had the opportunity to take part in a two-week internship with the TV series Sanctuary, filmed in Vancouver. "The three executive producers were very open and honest about their process. They basically gave me a full access pass to their whole show. I was able to watch them shoot, sit in on all their meetings - from production to writing - and eat their delicious food! It was an incredible intern experience."
Does Stephen have any words of advice for students considering taking the program? "Whether you want to start your own production company or work in the administration aspect of the entertainment business, this program is definitely a step in the right direction to help educate you in a very complicated industry. The ultimate key to success, though, is hard work. If you roll up your sleeves and are prepared to work hard, it will make a difference in your career."
"I took the program to improve my entertainment business knowledge...And it worked."
Find Out More
- UBC Certificate in
Entertainment Administration
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