LANSING, MI — Getting into the entertainment industry is more than just making beats and knowing how to play an instrument or sing.
According to an article in www.ehow.com there are different methods for breaking into show business and taking steps to creating a successful career. They suggest that performers acquire knowledge. They add that before you can step off into any business, you must know the requirements of that business. Many people fail to get even the most beginning knowledge about the entertainment business before they run headlong into it.
According to one local performer, he finds it odd that he must pay to perform or be on a mix tape. Another performer asked why is it so expensive to record at a studio? Local musicians want to be put in the rotation of their radio stations but are unaware of the station’s rules which causes frustration and unnecessary tension sometimes. There are so many questions that need to be answered and Angela Waters Austin from One Love Global saw a need to educate all spectrum of entertainers.
“The conference is one of the first steps in helping attendees assess the entertainment industry in the Greater Lansing Area. Bringing together artists and performers, who have made a significant value to the Greater Lansing Area is important. Lansing was recently voted among the top ten cities for young adults and entertainment is a huge component of quality of life for young adults. The contribution of the entertainment industry is untapped,” lamented Austin.
Austin created m.a.d.e. (M.edia, A.rts, D.esign & E.ntertainment) which consists of social entrepreneurship partnerships that raise funds for the Ingham Change Initiative and youth programs like the Power of 9.
The goals of m.a.d.e. are to change policy, practice and perception through social entrepreneurship by creating opportunities for young people to develop as business and community leaders.
Michigan State University Black Alumni Association, is one of the major sponsors of this event.
President, Rich Lewis said, “We are pleased to work with One Love Global and The New Citizens Press on events that promote positive outcomes for attendees. The entertainment industry in Michigan is growing and education will be important for its further growth.”
Attorney Sherrie C. Ross has been a longtime legal advisor to D&J Promotions and Management a company owned by Dr. Christine Johnson (mother of Basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson) and her partner Jackie Day. As legal advisor, Attorney Ross has had the opportunity to be a part of various NBA players’ basketball camps. She also coached youths in the British Virgin Isles First basketball camp featuring basketball greats: Carmela Anthony, Tashun Prince, and Jason Richardson to name a few. Sherrie has developed and implemented her own annual conference for Entertainers and Athletes entitled: “Challenging the Industry to Do Business God’s Way.” This is a power packed conference that walks lay people through all types of contracts and other documents that they encounter doing business in the industry. The workshop participants learn what God has to say about every aspect of the covenants they enter and deals they make.
Attorney Ross has also served as Legal advisor to Stellar Awards Producer, Barbara Wilson as well as negotiating contracts on behalf of numerous recording artist and Record companies.
For more information about m.a.d.e. log on to www.madealliance.org. Updates about speakers will be posted on the “m.a.d.e. Entertainment Law Conference: Putting Your Talent to Work” FACEBOOK page. To reserve a place please log on to www.oneloveglobal.org or call 517.282.3961.
This was originally printed in the September 26, 2010 – October 29, 2010 edition.
