Using New School Tools For Old School Ideals

Eighteen years after receiving my Bachelor’s Degree, I decided to give it a go towards a Masters. In about a week, I will take a walk across another stage, shaking hands with another department head, while receiving another pretty piece of paper in a snazzy looking black folder. Though my Masters journey will soon end, the knowledge gained during that time will last a lifetime.

I initially enrolled in the Master of Entertainment Business program at Full Sail University so I could gain insight on making my television show (Will’s Christian Spotlight) bigger and better. Since enrolling, I have learned of new technologies that could propel my show concept to national, and even international, recognition and viewership.

One such technology is streaming video. This media avenue allows maximum exposure with minimal overhead. No longer will I have to struggle to get airtime on television networks. Now, I can have my recorded shows placed on any of hundreds of streaming sites in many different countries. Though the possible channels are many, two sites in particular are The Australian Christian Channel (www.acctv.com.au) and Streaming Faith  (http://www.streamingfaith.com). Both sites offer VOD (video on demand) and live streaming services over the internet. The average price to get started is miniscule compared to securing airtime on local, and especially national television stations. Furthermore, the possible viewership of online television dwarfs the same demographic of conventional TV. If you think about it, it’s a lot easier for someone to retrieve your latest show with the “on-demand” feature than it is for someone to watch your show at odd hours of the viewing day on TV.

Will’s Christian Spotlight aired for the first time on January 13, 2005. At the time, streaming television services were not available. The only way to get the word out was on conventional TV. Now, times are different, and options are limitless. I thank Full Sail University for opening my eyes to the possibilities of the NEW digital world!

Business Funding Resources

Starting a business is a major part of living the “American Dream”. Having the freedom to call your own shots and run things the way you see fit are main draws for potential entrepreneurs to step out on their own. However, the hurdle that most of those potential business owners are not able to clear is finding the capital to bring their dream to life.

This month (the last in my quest of a Masters Degree in Entertainment Business), we discuss ways to acquire the necessary funding for starting a business.

Believe it or not, even in this economy, there IS money out there for entrepreneurs. You just have to know where to look. Here are a couple of resources for beginning that search. The website http://www.eda.gov has a plethora of financing and investing information. One such opportunity listed on the site is a Waterfront Economic Development Grant which is awarded to the organization that finds the best way to preserve and advance the economic vitality of a waterfront community. This grant is worth $1,500,000, yet only $300,000 will be awarded to the chosen entity. The powers that be who are making the selection require the grant recipient to be a municipality, a Native American organization or an institution of higher learning, just to name a few.

Another funding opportunity can be found on the http://firstnations.org/default2.asp?id=69 website. However, this may not be for you if you’re not of Native American descent. This site gives Native Americans the tools needed for finding those elusive business grants and loans. For instance, the First Nations site lists several grants under the Native Youth and Culture Fund. One particular grant, The Owens Valley Paiute Language Program, awarded $20,000 to the Bishop Paiute Tribe of Bishop, CA for starting a language instruction and cultural enrichment class for after school and summer programs.

So remember, whether you’re the next superstar restaurateur or an Indian tribe trying to keep the kids culturally connected, there IS money out there to get you on the right path. You just have to know where to look!