SP students from the Diploma in Media and Communication (DMC), the Diploma in Creative Writing and New Media (DTVM) as well as the Diploma in Business Information Technology (DBIT) got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a week-long Entertainment Marketing workshop conducted by Professor Cory O’Connor from the Chapman University. Needless to say, it was an eventful workshop, with the students learning how to market films from a Hollywood perspective as well as getting some hands-on experience marketing their very own films.

The workshop was held last week at The Agency, a brand new state-of-the-art learning space located in the School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences at block T19.

The Agency

The five-day workshop had students working in teams to come up with a pitch to market a film. They were given examples on how to market films and an unlimited budget for them to use their creativity as they pleased. Free from budget restraints, the students came up with ideas both wild and fantastic. From a golden rain of coins to parachutes, the students planned it all, coming up with four amazing pitches within a short span of five days (a task that Chapman university students took 8-10 weeks to complete).

Students hard at work

“We’ve really learnt a lot from Professor O’Connor and we’ve had a lot of fun this week! It’s really interesting to see things from an international perspective and apply it to a local context.” says Tryne, a DMC student.

True enough, Professor O’Connor does things very differently. Classes during the workshop were full of lively discussions as well as the occasional dramatic outburst when he went theatrical to illustrate a point.

It wasn’t all work and no play as the students also got to use the Writers’ Room, a new facility created for DTVM students to get their creative juices flowing.

Students brainstorming in the Writer’s Room

 

Now THAT’s what I call work

“I think the Writers’ Room is a wonderful addition to the school’s facilities! It’s a great place to brainstorm and to have fun!” says Hari, a second-year DMC student.

At the end of the workshop, the students presented their ideas to Professor O’Connor and the lecturers and to cut a long story short, they were impressed.

“The Students of The EntMar Singapore class wildly exceeded our expectations,” said Professor O’Connor.This has all been immensely rewarding for me that students 8000 miles away from a different culture and programme could fulfil an assignment so beautifully and exquisitely in just 4 days!”