This course covers several common contracts in the entertainment industry, for example, artists’ contracts, music producers’ contracts, publishing, and booking agreements.The bulk of the course delves deeper into the law of copyright. The general terms, rights and provisions of The Copyright Act that are relevant to the entertainment industry are interpreted and applied to the workplace.The following areas are further analysed: Ownership of intellectual property, the basic rights provided for by the Copyright Act, terminology, territory, additional clauses of the Copyright Act, determining infringement, licensing and Assignment, international treaties, royalty collection agencies, licenses and Deeds of Assignment, several domestic and international case studies are presented.

This course examines the business of digital media distribution, focusing on how media companies monetize content across streaming platforms, social networks, mobile applications, and on-demand services. Learners will develop a solid understanding of business models such as subscription (SVOD), advertising-supported (AVOD), transactional (TVOD), and hybrid systems, while also assessing the economic implications of platform convergence and global competition. Emphasis is placed on how licensing, rights management, intellectual property law, and regional regulation shape strategic distribution decisions.Practical components of the course guide learners in analysing audience data, developing release strategies, and evaluating platform opportunities. Learners will also consider challenges such as piracy, market fragmentation, and the balance between global platforms and local content.Through real-world case studies and applied projects, learners will explore the revenue strategies, licensing models, and platform partnerships that underpin success in the digital era.

The guest lecture series consists of at least 12 lectures delivered by professionals in the industry. Broad topics are suggested to the guest lecturer, however the guest lecturer is given liberty to choose a specific topic that is his or her speciality. Very often an educational institution is staffed with ex-students who have little, or no industry experience. This course is a deliberate attempt to counteract the affects of that trend. This is a way of giving the student a more diverse point of view and to learn more about the industry from industry professionals who are specialists in a particular fields.These lectures will be attended by first, second and third year students, giving a total of 36 lectures over three years, split by credits over three courses. Though the first, second and third year students may all attend the same lecture, the research projects and interpretative reports completed in each year of study are designed for different levels of complexity, to suite the NQF level of the particular year of study. For example, at NQF Level 6 students use the information gathered from the guest lecturers inform and influence their own decisions and to reflect on the viability and trajectory their own chosen career paths.

General contractual principles and the major contracts in the music industry are covered, including recording, publishing and management agreements.This includes an understanding of: When contracts are valid, how valid contracts can be entered into, term, territory, commitment, etc, specific terms and considerations found within the recording agreement, publishing agreement, and management agreement respectively.Each and every clause in these agreements is analysed, thus empowering the learner to negotiate such agreements in the industry.

This course introduces learners to the business and management frameworks underpinning entertainment production. It examines how production management functions as the operational backbone of creative projects, ensuring that resources, teams, and budgets are aligned with business objectives. Learners will engage with concepts such as project planning, risk management, financial control, and stakeholder coordination, while also analyzing broader industry dynamics such as globalization, technological change, and shifting audience consumption.The course emphasizes applied business skills, requiring learners to work with budgets, schedules, and project plans in simulated and real-world contexts. Learners will also explore how producers and managers make strategic decisions in response to market pressures, technological disruption, and cross-platform distribution demands.By the end of the course, learners will be able to:Explain the role of production management within the entertainment business.Analyze how market forces, technology, and competition impact production strategies.Apply business tools such as budgeting, scheduling, and risk management to entertainment projects.Evaluate stakeholder relationships and develop strategies for effective communication and coordination.Design a production management plan that aligns creative goals with financial and business objectives.This course is designed for students seeking to pursue careers in production management, media business development, and entertainment project coordination, as well as for professionals who wish to deepen their applied business expertise in the entertainment industries.

This course empowers students with basic to intermediate marketing knowledge and skills. Topics include:The definition of marketing,The marketing management process,Marketing strategy,Environmental analysis,Market research,Consumer behaviour,Market segmentation,The marketing mix,BrandingMarketing communications such as general promotions, advertising and new media.This content is presented with the view that students will be entering the media and entertainment fields, as freelancers, or as SMEs. So, examples are appropriately selected.Students will be required to develop a marketing plan, a press kit, a web site, and will apply a digital promotional campaign to a real-world scenario, such as a music artist, media product, event, or service.

This course empowers students with basic to intermediate marketing knowledge and skills.The content is presented with the view that students will be entering the media and entertainment fields, as freelancers, or as SMEs. Therefore, examples are appropriately selected.Students will be required to develop a marketing plan, a press kit, a web site, and will apply a digital promotional campaign to a real-world scenario, such as a music artist, media product, event, or service.

​

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the entertainment business in its contemporary context, focusing on the economic, cultural, and technological forces driving the industry.Learners will be introduced to the structure and operations of key sectors such as film, television, music, live events, streaming platforms, and gaming.Attention will be given to global market trends, with a particular emphasis on Africa and South Africa’s growing role in the international entertainment landscape.

In this course students will gain practical knowledge in areas such as scheduling, script management, communication, and on-set coordination, preparing them to act as an indispensable link between various departments.Through hands-on exercises, case studies, and real-world simulations, students will develop the organizational, technical, and interpersonal skills necessary to excel as production assistants, fostering a deep understanding of the collaborative nature of the production environment.

This course is designed to deepen understanding of digital audio production concepts and techniques. It expands upon the foundational principles established in the introductory course, focusing on more complex functionalities and workflows within DAW environments.Students will engage with topics such as multi-track recording, intricate MIDI sequencing, and the application of real-time audio effects. The curriculum emphasises practical, hands-on experiences, enabling students to build moderately sophisticated sessions that integrate multiple audio sources, including live and virtual instruments.Learners will refine their skills in managing session file structures, employing advanced editing techniques, and utilising various audio processing tools to enhance their productions. They will also learn to create cloud-enabled projects and optimise their workflow through effective navigation of DAW user interfaces.The course includes essential exercises and projects, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios using high-quality professionally recorded project files and media.

Digital Audio Principles and Techniques 6B covers the core concepts and skills needed to operate a Digital Audio Workstation system in a professional studio environment.It provides detailed descriptions of the hardware and software commonly found in large-scale professional DAW systems.Learners will be introduced to the configuration and operation of Ethernet control surfaces and will explore the differences between various workstations hardware configurations. This module covers media file database management, customising the DAW to session requirements, and optimising system performance.Students will develop essential skills in session management, selection techniques, editing techniques, advanced automation techniques, and in-depth plug-in usage.Hands-on exercises are incorporated throughout the course, allowing students to optimise system resources, configure I/O, navigate and colour-code sessions, manage session media, and apply advanced selection and auditioning techniques. By the end of this course, students will have the ability to configure settings for a Pro Tools Ultimate system, customise I/O settings, and utilise various advanced mixing techniques, ultimately enhancing their audio production workflow.