Education Focus - JMC Academy

How to break into the arts and entertainment industries
Building relationships and meeting the right people are skills everyone needs to learn. Here are our tips to get you started. 

Nigel Tucker - Entertainment Business lecturer at JMC Academy and experienced artist manager -often tells his students about the importance of networking. "Building your contact base, and then turning these associations into ongoing professional relationships cannot be overstated," he says.

To make the most of Open Day opportunities, Tucker recommends these techniques, which are also applicable in other industry settings. 

1. Have better conversations

Start researching your area of interest so you can become up to date and knowledgeable on current topics and trends. 

"By regularly checking or subscribing to relevant industry newsletters, blogs, trade publications and websites you can also build your own current database of industry professionals and potential connections," says Tucker.

2. Get out there

The only way you are going to start building relationships is by putting yourself out there. As well as Open Days, you should start attending conferences, events and seminars.

"This will assist in not only meeting prospective contacts and being seen, but also builds a shared experience which can be a good foundation for any introductory discussions," says Tucker.

3. Be aware of your social media activity

"Social media allows you to research the person you would like to connect with, find out what they like or dislike and potentially allows you to find common ground for any future conversations where you do get to meet in person," Tucker says. 

4. Be friendly and supportive of others

"The creative industries can often be volatile. I don't know anyone who has sustained a long term career in this industry who has not been up and down the mountain a couple of times. So the lesson is you meet the same people on the way up as you do on the way down," says Tucker.

For those starting out, open days provide a unique opportunity to meet established people in the industry, teachers in the field and sometimes other students. 

At JMC, you can connect with industry experts including lecturers and the Heads of JMC Academy's Music, Audio, Animation, Game Design, Film and Television, Digital Design and Entertainment Business Management departments. You'll also be able to see live audio and film production in action, and discuss the industry with JMC's well-connected staff. 

Join us for one of our upcoming Open Days:
6 Aug, Brisbane; 27 Aug, Sydney; 27 Aug, Melbourne