Are you looking to build a career in the screen content industries?
The AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Screen Business has been designed to immerse you in the fundamentals of the business. Over two years, part-time, the course will take you on a journey through the various disciplines required to become a successful media executive, screen producer, or business owner.
During this course, you will:
- learn the basics of financial analysis and the commercial imperatives that drive investors, and how to build a persuasive business case
- critically evaluate your own managerial abilities, and learn effective methods for leading creative teams
- analyse the underlying economics of creative industries, and understand how policy change and technological developments can affect the distribution of returns
- examine the nature and behaviour of audiences, learn market research skills and how to measure audience response, and be exposed to the opportunities afforded by rapid developments in new media.
- go to work on a business or creative project of your choosing, developing it to the point of market readiness, mentored by leading practitioners in the industry.
Throughout the course you will be surrounded by a group of highly-motivated, talented peers who will become part of your lifelong professional network.
- Location: Sydney
- Duration: 2 years part-time
- Delivery mode: Semesters 1 & 2, 2012 and Semesters 1 & 2, 2013, face to face
- Course fee: $17,500, FEE-HELP eligible
- APPLY at aftrs.edu.au
OUTCOMES
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Create strategies for successful businesses.
- Examine the economic and cultural forces that shape the media industry.
- Learn about advanced financing techniques and the commercial imperatives driving investors.
- Develop skills for leadership and management.
- Form productive future relationships with fellow students / industry peers.
- Investigate the opportunities offered in the multi-platform and new media industries.
FIRST YEAR
Introduction to Financial Management
This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of financial management. The course combines theory with practical examples and case studies. Students will gain an understanding of the expectations of investors and the way they evaluate investment opportunities. They will learn about the operation of financial markets and gain insights into the structuring of investment proposals. The course also provides a thorough introduction to the use of Excel in financial modeling.
Reaching Audiences
A hands-on module that investigates the art and science of engaging audiences. Covering cinema, television and new media, the course explores the elements of marketing, advertising, audience measurement, and the preparation required to sell a project at international marketplaces.
Managing Creativity
This module offers students an understanding of the skills required to nurture creative talent and processes, and an opportunity to evaluate and develop their management skills. Topics covered include the psychology of creativity, techniques for achieving resilience, and models of organisational innovation. Students will gain practical skills that they can apply directly in their working lives.
Media Economics
A guided investigation of the economic forces shaping the media industries. Long recognised for its ‘peculiar economics’, the media sector presents special challenges – among them, its sensitivity to regulation and political intervention, the rapid pace of technological change, the intangibility of media assets and their extreme variance in performance. Students will gain insight into the structure and dynamics of the media world.
Financing Media Assets
Building on the principles taught in Introduction to Financial Management, students will learn advanced skills in project and corporate financing. The course is based on real world cases, with students working in groups to develop financing plans for specified project or corporate assets. Topics covered include sensitivity testing, risk mitigation, capital structuring and cashflow management. Students will develop advanced skills in Excel.
Closing the Deal
An introduction to the creation and management of intellectual property assets and creating the momentum required to close commercial deals. Students will be introduced to the key issues in project acquisition, development and exploitation.
SECOND YEAR
Creative or Business Project
Students will work throughout the second year on a major business or creative project, supported by their participation in the second year seminar program and through one-on-one mentoring by the Director, Centre for Screen Business and the seminar leaders (who are all highly experienced industry practitioners). By the end of the year the project should be sufficiently developed to be presented to investors, partners, funding agencies or other relevant parties.
Team Leadership Seminar*
This module explores the role of the leader in team building, creative team management, identifying opportunities, problem solving and mediation. There will be instruction, workshops, specialist guests and individual research in negotiation, entrepreneurial skills, pitching and lateral thinking.
Creative Development Seminar*
A series of workshops focusing on a project and the creative development process, from idea to delivery to the market.
Business Development Seminar*
A series of workshops focusing on how to develop and evaluate a business plan. Students will also learn about business strategy, structuring and governance.
New Media Seminar*
A series of workshops that focus on skills and mastery of New Media. For the purposes of this seminar, new media will be considered to be any type of interactive media. Students will learn techniques for developing and presenting an idea in planning and communication documents that can inform both stakeholders and a production team.
*The seminar format is designed to support the students’ work on their creative or business projects.
CORE MODULE: FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
Cultural Engagement
Students are required to maintain a record of cultural and relevant industry activities to indicate their engagement with the sector. These are to include cinema, TV, theatre, galleries, books etc. and a recommended minimum attendance at 10 Friday On My Mind seminars.
ELECTIVE
Production Process
Practical classes aimed at development of skills and techniques for the evaluation, planning, and budgeting of drama and documentary projects from idea to market with case studies.
COURSE PRESENTERS
- David Court
- Nathan Anderson
- Simon Molloy
- Barry Burgan
- Jo-anne McGowan
- Jonathan Chissick
- Dr Chris Stevens
- Robert Connolly
