Dreams Do Come True

I promised myself that I would be sure to do "big things" this year. By the grace of God, I have been able to accomplish just that. While going through my search for the right grad school to attend, I was looking for something that would assist me and push me into those dreams of success and being an impact on the entertainment industry, that I have always had. I quickly learned that Full Sail University was the one. During and after completing the Entertainment Business Master of Science Program, I was forced to finally stop dreaming, wake up, and make it happen.

I am so happy to have finally launched the new company, GPhLAT Entertainment. While it may just sound like a play on music terms (G Flat), it is quite intentional. One of my dreams has always been to own a company named after my family, operated by my family, in the industry that matters most to me.

GPhLAT stands for: Gary, Phyllis, Loren, Ashley, Tyler (My parents, myself, and my younger sisters.)
My sisters partnered with me to help make my dream a reality. I have the greatest team of people working with me that I could ever ask for.

As it applies in my life, the same can be for you and whatever your aspirations are. I had to learn that its wonderful to dream of success and being successful, but at some point, the dream has to end and you wake up to make it happen.

My friend posted today and said, "Hey, remember that guy that quit and gave up on his goals?? Neither does anyone else...so keep going!!"

Be Intentional!

Good Friday

Wow! What can I say?! I can't believe it's finally the end. I know on
the calendar, we celebrated Good Friday yesterday. I must say,
yesterday was indeed a Good Friday that I will never forget. Graduating from
Full Sail University with my Master of Science degree has changed my life
completely.

I began the Entertainment Business Master of Science program in
January 2012. When I started, I had only dreams of being an
entrepreneur. This program forced me to stop dreaming, wake up and
make it happen. I learned so much from each and every class. From
operating in different styles of leadership, to creating a financial
pro forma for a business. I learned the details of a business plan,
how to write one and even how to properly gather a three year projected
financial proposal. I am so grateful that I learned the ins and outs of product and artist management. That is the segment of the industry that I have chosen to work in. The class and the assignments have me a heads up on what I should expect.

I cannot begin to explain my gratitude of every instructor, classmate,
advisor and tech support agent. Attending Full Sail University has
pushed me into an endless pool of networking opportunities. This non
traditional, real world school has prepared me for embarking in the
industry far more than I could have ever imagined or ever done on my
own.

As a result of this program, I am now preparing for the official launch of my artist & musician entertainment company. This would all still be a dream if it wasn't for Full Sail University.

Now... It's "Go Time"

Business Plans

What’s the use of having a Business Plan?

This is a question that I asked myself, prior to beginning the Entertainment Business Master of Science Program at Full Sail University. In the detail of the degree, I knew that I would get the answer that I had been seeking. Throughout my time in the program, I have gathered great insight and help on the necessity of business plans, how to create them, and how to make them effective.

I have learned that a business plan is not only useful in finding ways to obtain lenders for the business, but also for serving as a blueprint for the company leads. In my own experience, the creation of my business plan has allowed me to see the big picture of the company. It gives me no choice but to see the reality of each element of the business. From researching experts and their take on business plans, I have learned that, like many things in life, “all things never go as planned especially in show business.” That is a quote from Carl Schramm during his Straight Talk on Entrepreneurship.  It is definitely good to have an outline, and an initial plan; however, one should be able to move with time. Carl also said “If you live by your business plan, you may not only hurt your business but your ego.”

I feel that with this reasoning, in an effort to have a completed business plan, it is necessary to cover all elements, even if they seem redundant; however, I find it necessary to really focus on those elements that may be the most important to the investor reading the plan. To me, those elements are the Target Market, Competition, Marketing Plan and Financials. I see these elements as the ones that really make you aware of the actual need or success of the business. 

Managers: How Many of Us Have Them?

In a world where times and traditions are ever changing, there are some things that yet remain the same. Over the past few years, we have watched society move itself into such a “Do-It-Yourself” way of living; not just with cute arts and crafts or home remodeling, but even with the way businesses are ran. 

One thing that I have noticed in this change lies within the industry that I am a pursuant of, Artist Management. There was a time where Artist Managers had similar duties and recruiting methods, as A & R reps. This included spending several nights at local clubs and concerts, listening to new artists and networking from there. Nowadays, it is as simple as visiting various artist platform websites, i.e. Reverbnation or YouTube, and scoping new talent. Here locally, I have noticed that many bands choose to put all of there managerial and business needs in either a member of the band, or a friend who didn’t quite make the cut to be in the band. Others just simply don’t know if one is “needed” or when it’s the right time to get one.

Now understand, I am, in no way, opposed to the various changes that have taken place, based on every day living. I am grateful for the various artist internet platforms, etc. I believe that this gives artist managers, such as myself, a great portal to find some artist that may not even have the opportunity to make it to the local club at the moment.

While it is important for managers to access portals like this, I believe that it is equally important for artist to access portals or info sites on various management companies. It is not uncommon for artists to live in different cities/states than there managers. However, some artist may feel that living in the same place is a necessity. I came across a portal of this type. ArtistManagementOnline gives a list and websites of several artist management companies in various areas, like NY, CA and GA.

Marc Oswald: Being A Manager

Manufacturing and Distribution

Manufacturing and Distribution: Before and After

Certainly every singer, songwriter and or producer, has the wish to one day walk into their local Walmart, BestBuy, FYE, etc., and see their work on sale, ready to share with the world. While this would be a dream for all, there is a lot of work that goes into making this dream come true. To set it all off, there has to be a Manufacturing and Distribution Deal made. This is usually made between the distributor and the record label.

Most times, the distributor will pay for all of the manufacturing involved in getting the product ready to sale. The product will then be distributed to all affiliates of the distributor. This is where those local stores come into play. In return, they will receive 100% of the profit until the manufacturing costs have been repaid. While there may be some distributors who do not require 100% from the start, this is quite common.

While it may take quite some time to be offered a manufacturing and distribution deal, there are several platforms that allow artists to share their music with the world. It is not uncommon for artists to use such platforms as iTunes, CDBaby, ReverbNation, etc. to make their music available digitally. These are platforms that can be set up and used by the artist directly. As a new artist, I would suggest utilizing these tools. When the opportunity arises, and a distribution deals is afforded to you, it will simply add on to the established fan base you have already generated.

http://musicians.about.com/od/glossary/g/Distribution.htm

http://www.reverbnation.com/band-promotion/how-to-sell-music-on-itunes

It's Beyond the Copyright

It’s beyond the copyright

After long sleepless nights and your mind going 100 miles per minute at times, you have finally finished writing a new song, or creating a new piece of work. First order of business, suggested to you by any and everyone is to make sure that you copyright your new piece of work. Now, obviously the copyright is important, simply to make sure that no one else can steal you work, or duplicate it and claim it as their own. The only issue is, no money is generated from copyrights.

This is where publishing comes into play. To receive the appropriate payouts/royalties for your new piece of work, it is imperative that you register it with a publishing company. It is quite common for new artists to register themselves with their own publishing company. It can be nice to eliminate the extra and make sure your royalties come directly to you, through your company.  But where do you go and who do you talk to, to register your publishing company?

Three of the major industry leaders in music rights management and providing royalties for publishers, composers, and authors, are American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), and EMI Music

Through each of these companies, a new artist, publisher or author, can register themselves as such, and begin to receive all of the performance rights and royalties that are due them. When deciding which company is best for you to join, do your research on each one. It is imperative to find out which performing rights company caters mainly to your genre of music or works. The companies may even differ in the schedule they use to do royalty payouts, i.e. yearly, quarterly, etc.

There are several factors that will go into choosing the best performance rights company for you. Best thing to do it, make sure you choose one and begin registering yourself and your work, immediately. 

Change of Plans

Change of Plans

When I sat down to write this week’s blog, it took me the longest time trying to decide what to write about. I sorted through so much artist’s news and new entertainment industry happenings. I had finally thought that I had finally come up with the perfect topic, regarding the death of legendary Hip-Hop manager, Chris Lightly. As I began to write, a Time Warner Cable commercial came on the television. I realized that it was the commercial with young man being accepted to college. Every time this commercial comes on, I find myself stopping all that I am doing, to sing the commercial song. I finally decided that I had to find out who sings it and where I can buy it.

After many Google searches, I finally found my answer. The writer of this amazing sounding song is Chris Merritt. After coming across the link to his website, I learned that this Time Warner spot is a song that he still has not finished. While I was looking at his website, I came across so many people leaving him feedback on how much they enjoy that song and begging him to complete it and put it on an album. I was amazed to find that he has several mp3 available for download on his website, but yet the majority of his recognition came straight from this commercial spot. That is indeed a major plug for new music and artistry. I am not certain how he was afforded the opportunity to land a spot for such a major company, so definitely kudos to whomever made it possible.

This concept reminded me of another indie artist that began by commercial spots. I first heard of Priscilla Renae on a McDonalds commercial. Just like with Chris, I searched all over trying to find out who the artist was and where I could find the song.

I searched all over the Internet for the commercial so that I could share it with you. Unfortunately the song was only written for the commercial, and it, including the video of the commercial is unavailable to the public.