by AdminHey everyone, time for an update on what I’ve been juggling lately! Between my Master’s coursework, getting some creative projects off the ground, and navigating the joys of moving (twice!), things have been busy, making consistent progress a real exercise in adaptability.
Deepening Industry Knowledge: Advanced Entertainment Law
First up, the academic grind! A big focus this month has been my Advanced Entertainment Law course. It’s been a deep dive into the complex legal architecture supporting the entire entertainment ecosystem. We’ve been navigating crucial areas like intellectual property, really breaking down the differences between copyright protection for creative works (like game narratives or video content) and trademark law for branding (like game titles or channel logos). Understanding how to secure and defend these rights feels fundamental, especially when developing original concepts like my game project.
Beyond IP, we’re dissecting various entertainment contracts. It’s eye-opening to analyze the key clauses and negotiation points in agreements covering everything from talent engagement (actors, artists, etc.) to licensing content for different uses and structuring distribution deals across various platforms (streaming, theatrical, etc.). Seeing the level of detail required to establish clear expectations, responsibilities, compensation structures, and usage rights really underscores the importance of solid legal footing before embarking on any significant production or collaboration.
We’re also touching on emerging issues in digital media law, considering how things like streaming rights, online content liability (especially relevant for platforms like YouTube), evolving privacy regulations, and the legal implications of new technologies like AI are impacting content creators and distributors. It’s a lot to absorb, but gaining these insights is already shaping how I approach project planning, forcing me to think more strategically about potential legal hurdles and requirements from the outset. It’s not just abstract theory; it feels essential for anyone wanting to lead creative projects successfully and ethically within the industry, ensuring creative visions can be realized within a sound legal and business structure.
New Creative Initiatives: A Medieval World & A Video Series
Speaking of creative work, I’ve started laying the groundwork for two new projects, even amidst the other demands:
- The “Dark Age” Project (Working Title!): I’ve begun the initial concept and planning stages for an open-world multiplayer game set in the medieval age. This is a passion project that lets me dive into skills core to game development and the broader entertainment industry: research, creative development, world-building, narrative construction, and project planning. It’s a chance to build something from the ground up and really flex those creative and organizational muscles, reflecting my interest in immersive worlds and complex systems.
- Bible Reading Video Series: I also launched a new video series over on YouTube, where I’m reading through the Bible. It might seem a bit different, but it’s a great practical exercise in content creation, basic video production/editing, and public speaking/narration – all useful skills for anyone in media. Plus, it’s a personal discipline project that reflects aspects of my own values and brand.
Why These Matter (Connecting the Dots)
So, how does an entertainment law class, a medieval game concept, and a YouTube series fit together? For me, it’s all part of building a well-rounded skill set and presence. The law course provides the essential business and legal context. The game project demonstrates creative vision, planning, and world-building abilities relevant to interactive entertainment and beyond. The video series hones practical production and communication skills. They all push me to learn, create, and manage different kinds of tasks – key parts of developing leadership capacity and shaping my personal brand. Ultimately, the goal is to weave these diverse threads together – the creative development, the legal and business acumen from my Master’s, and even my practical background in construction and remodeling – into my own entrepreneurial venture down the line. Seeing how project management, legal considerations, and creative execution intersect across these different areas is really illuminating for that long-term vision.
Navigating Challenges & Shifting Timelines
Now, for the “life’s loading screens” part… Progress on both the game concept and the video series has inevitably slowed over the past few weeks. This is largely due to the logistical whirlwind of moving house – a process I just finished, only to find out I’ll be doing it all over again at the end of this month here in Oak Ridge, Florida. This double disruption naturally eats into dedicated project development time and the mental bandwidth required for creative work, making it challenging to maintain the desired pace.
It’s a real-world reminder that leadership often involves adapting to the unexpected. While it’s definitely interrupting the flow, managing these personal logistics alongside professional goals requires resilience and adjusting plans. Because of this, I’m taking a fresh look at my original Content Plan / Timeline (the one from my Executive Leadership course) and tweaking the milestones for these projects to be more realistic right now. The vision remains, but the roadmap needs a slight detour!
Looking Ahead
Despite the moving chaos, I’m excited about where these threads are heading. The law course is challenging but incredibly valuable, the game concept is brewing with possibilities, and the video series is underway as a consistent practice ground. I’m focused on keeping the momentum going as best as I can through the next move and beyond.
Looking further ahead, the ambition is to eventually launch my own business, leveraging both my hands-on construction/remodeling experience and the strategic, legal, and business knowledge gained through this Master’s program. In fact, this isn’t just a long-term dream – the first concrete steps are happening right now. I’m planning to acquire a truck and essential tools this month (April), with the goal of officially establishing the company within the next few months once the necessary details are ironed out. It feels exciting and daunting to be taking these tangible steps towards building something unique where all these different parts of my background can come together.