Music Business

The music business has shifted dramatically in recent years and artists are now empowered to manage their own careers. The new model reduces the need to rely on the old machine of labels, promoters, and publishing companies and puts all the tools into the artist’s hands. Students will learn to utilize these skills effectively and strategically to advance music careers. This course is designed for those interested in the music business, whether as an artist or simply interested in helping develop talent.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course builds on knowledge gained about the music business through the previous course BCST 1002. Now that the basics of managing a music career are understood, advanced marketing techniques for artists are explored. Students build a music marketing plan following intense study on why people buy music products. The legal side of the business is examined and issues around contract law and copyright are explored to help avoid classic pitfalls, leading to a very complete music business marketing plan.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in BCST 1002

This course builds on the knowledge and skills you gained about the music business through the prerequisite BCST 1002 and BCST 1003 courses. You will work towards focused measurable goals to move your career forward each week. The curriculum harnesses a collaborative class environment that will collectively push and inspire your career advancement. You will utilize social media calendars and implement content marketing strategies, while increasing your understanding of techniques to reach the growing market of millennials. You will use fundraising platforms in class to develop your skill set in increasing your own income generation. Music industry guests will be brought in for further networking and discussion.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in BCST 1003
• BCST 1002 and/or BCST 1003.

This course puts to use everything learned in BCST 1002, BCST 1003 & BCST 1005. Real career-expanding exercises are provided, and entrepreneurial skills are put to the test. Students will work in a collaborative environment to reverse-engineer a class goal, and have the opportunity to bring their personal strengths to the table. The course culminates with a presentation to music industry professionals who will assess and provide indispensable feedback on your work, and advise on potential revenue opportunities.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in BCST 1005

​The future of live audio and music recording will require continually adapting to innovation and technology. Key to learning the new technology is understanding acoustics and the older tape-based recording and live sound technologies that the newer software developments are based upon. This course will give you the ability to produce music in a home studio environment using available and affordable technology, including your own tablet or laptop. Instructor Clarence Deis has 39 years experience working in audio, with an emphasis on live music recording. The course will be very hands on and interactive.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Do you like to have fun, whether it be individually or with your classmates? If so, this is the class for you. Each week you will work with authentic broadcast scripts covering news, entertainment, sports and advertising, all under the guidance an encouragement of a industry professional who has been on the air in Vancouver for over 25 years. This course is designed from the perspective that, in this age of media convergence, good performance skills are transferrable to all forms of media, whether traditional broadcasting, podcasting or any other on-line broadcast platform. This is a fast-paced class where students learn vocal and performance skills for radio and television announcing which are transferable to many other occupations. In addition, students will learn the basic operations of a radio production board and proper microphone technique. On-air technique is much more than rambling about your favourite band or mumbling your way through a dry news script. Great announcing involves impeccable communication skills – emotions and thoughts need to be transmitted with clarity while understanding who the audience is. Students should be willing to have fun, take risks and perform outside their comfort zone.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

While its true most of us have set up social media accounts, are you aware of the subtle nuances of using your social media effectively? Do you know how to stand out in the digital space over the non-stop buzz of social media noise? Ultimately, understanding the story you wish to tell is key, along with the art of being able to tell a good story. The focus of this course is identifying the story you wish to tell and learning to manipulate social media tools to better tell it. This skill set includes building your (or your business’) social media presence, identifying the best social media platforms for your story, and learning social media time management around your digital storytelling.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

What matters the most in photography is finding a voice which represents personal perspectives and notions. It's all about how you see the world and how you express your vision through photography. This course examines the necessary fundamental components of photography, including camera settings, exposure triangle, depth of field, white balance, color wheel, visual depth as well as complete training in post processing in Adobe Lightroom. Black and White, Color and Landscape Photography are being highlighted in this course. By exploring the most influential photographs of all time and expanding skills on evaluating their purposes and stories, students will learn how to create an effectual and evocative image. Ultimately, by the end of this course we aim to answer this question: How photography can push emotions and perception into something pure and powerful?
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course focuses on the fundamentals of Ableton Live for composing, recording and editing music. Ableton Live is recognized as one of the top competitors in digital music creation and is also recognized for its non-linear composition and audio recording environment while also enabling a more traditional linear arrangement. The course examines automation essentials and tools for creating, editing and producing music compositions. Course studies also focus on MIDI programming, composition strategies, use of device racks, live audio recording and editing, sampling, MIDI instrument design, and mixing for production, collaboration and remixing finished works within Ableton Live. Essentials for setting up the digital audio workstation, processor efficiency, collaboration and file management are covered. Use of Ableton Live for live performance is also explored.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of sound design principles and techniques for various media applications, including film, television, radio, and social media. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on exercises, and projects, students will learn the fundamentals of sound design, including microphones, recording, and editing techniques, mixing, and mastering. Emphasis will be placed on applying creative concepts to enhance storytelling through sound.​
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​​There is a community and an audience online for just about every story, idea, and concept. The problem is that many people don't know how to create their ideas online, and to build and engage a community around those ideas. That is what you will begin to build in this course – a storyworld around your digital media endeavours (whether for personal branding, business or a project). This will include utilizing WordPress to build a professional website, optimizing SEO to that website and an associated youtube channel, niche audience building, creation of and participation in a digital storytelling campaign, measuring social metrics, crowdfunding, crafting appealing email newsletters, and developing a long term strategy for continued community engagement.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Podcasts are ubiquitous nowadays, being created for brand marketing and awareness, education and entertainment purposes. This course will cover content preparation, storytelling, interviewing, writing, audio-editing, marketing and basic graphic design for promotional purposes. You’ll also learn about equipment, apps and software available to facilitate podcast-making. All you need is a smartphone to get started. Much of what we'll cover is also applicable to people pursuing broadcast careers.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Covers the accounting function and the services it provides to the manager. Topics include preparation and interpretation of various financial statements, reports, budgets, etc., in managerial decision-making.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Marketing 1102 is an introduction to the fundamentals of marketing. In addition to the "four Ps" of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion—students will be introduced to how marketers create customer-driven marketing strategies based on their research and understanding of the marketing environment and customers. Students will plan a strategy for and compete in an online marketing simulation. After the simulation, students will evaluate their performance and deliver a marketing plan for their simulation company, which will be assessed on students' application of marketing terminology and processes and in the professionalism of their work. Additionally, students will complete assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This projects-based course focuses on the event industry, and fundamental components of planning and executing events. Students explore the planning, marketing, selling, producing and management of any type of event from company social functions to major conventions. To be successful in this course, students must be able to communicate well in writing, in English.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course examines all facets of live entertainment events such as music concerts and festivals. Students will explore the world of live entertainment from promotion all the way to production. Classes will focus on topics such as ticketing and promotion, community involvement, site and venue development and production. The course will include individual and group project work, industry panel speakers and site visits.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course teaches students a variety of skills including project definition, WBS, SOW, activity development, network diagrams, three-time estimate method to assess risk and schedule a project, resource levelling, time cost trade-offs and estimating, earned value, reporting and progress measurement during project, project termination and the role of project personnel. This course is based on the Project Management Institute (PMI)® Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and can be used as credit towards the BCIT Associate Certificate in Project Management www.bcit.ca/study/programs/5085acert. PMI® and PMBOK® are trademarks of PMI®
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.