The Vancouver Film School is going into business with entertainment lawyer Jeff Young, who will serve as department head for a new diploma program launching in March that will focus on preparing students for what the school refers to as the ‘new era of the business professional.’

‘We’ve got a multibillion-dollar business enterprise in entertainment that’s just as valid a specialty as any other,’ says Young, who has evolved the intensive one-year curriculum over the past six years at various academic institutions.

‘One of the things that marks the new era is understanding all the elements of entertainment, and how intellectual property is managed differently than other types of business property,’ he adds.

The first year will likely roll out with a select student body of less than 10, which Young says fits the design perfectly. ‘It’s the kind of program that has an apprentice-style feel to it; so, ideally, between six and 10 is a great group, where we can really connect them to the industry.’

But Young stresses that it will be a demanding course load geared towards launching students into the industry.

‘A person who thinks it’s going to be Rock ‘n’ Roll High School shouldn’t show up. But a person who’s motivated can take it as an initial diploma program and make it through,’ says Young.

Inspired by his experience as an intellectual property lawyer, Young has broken down the curriculum into a half dozen terms of seven weeks each, with areas of study that range from law and business to finance and accounting, marketing, talent and events, career and industry.

‘I found there were so many differences in the entertainment industry [compared to other types of law] that really I was learning all over again,’ relates Young. ‘It’s understanding that, even in normal business, you’re dealing with property that can be stored away, hidden or owned differently. The problem with what we do in the entertainment industry is that you’re creating intellectual property that really doesn’t have any value unless it’s shared.’

In addition to the March start date, more streams will begin in June and October.

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