Dr. Faye Ran-Moseley

It's no secret that the film industry is part business and part artistry. But when it comes to film education, a focus on the latter has long been the norm. Metropolitan College of New York (formerly Audrey Cohen College) is breaking the rules when it comes to film education and leaving a string of successful graduates in its wake. With an MBA program that focuses solely on Media Management, Metropolitan College is redefining the usual approach to film school with fantastic results.

In an interview with MM, Dr. Faye Ran-Moseley, the Dean of Metropolitan College of New York's Graduate School for Business discusses the uniqueness of their program, its proven success and how a great education translates to a trip to Cannes.

Jennifer Wood (MM): Can you give me a bit of background on you: your education, experience and how you first became involved with Metropolitan College of New York?

Dr. Faye Ran-Moseley (FRM): I've always been passionate about learning- and I have two doctorates, seven master's degrees, and an MBA to prove it! Learning shouldn't stop when one is 18 or 22, it should be a life-long endeavor. All of the Metropolitan College programs are specifically designed for adult students.

I started out as a writer/director and multimedia artist, and ran Inroads, a theater/film production company and a multimedia art center in Sohowith over 125 people. It quickly became apparent that I had to take a renaissance approach, understanding the aesthetic, economic, managerial and political facets of the media industry, in order for the company and center to succeed.

Later, a former colleague of mine from Pitney Bowes, Barbara Smythe, was asked by Metropolitan College of New York to design an interdisciplinary business program, and to create and develop a new paradigm for business education. Knowing I had experience with humanities and business, she brought me in to help develop what is now the undergraduate business curriculum.

MM: Our tagline at MM has long been "the art and business of making movies," a dichotomy that Metropolitan College of New York certainly recognizes. Why the interest in the "business" side of things?

FRM: Film is inherently an art and a business. There could be cinematic masterpieces lying in basements all over the world but, without marketing and distribution, they'll never be seen. Knowing how to make quality films is important, but managing and introducing films to the public takes a different, specialized set of skills-skills that can absolutely be learned. That's what we focus on in this program. We teach students to turn their passions and talents into viable projects, viable careers.

MM: Your educational model is quite unique. Can you talk a bit about " Purpose-Centered Education?" How does the model work? How does it benefit students?

FRM: Purpose-Centered Education is about having a reason for learning: applying what you're learning as you're learning it and using what you learn to realize your career goals. It's reality-based learning, and it's the best training for real-world success.

Our MBA in Media Management program is a one-year, three-semester long, 51-credit degree program. In the first semester students write a business plan for a media-related venture; in the second they implement it; in the third they focus on marketing and disseminating their media-related product or service. This business plan can be entrepreneurial, i.e., used to start a business, or "intrapreneurial," i.e., used within an existing business or place of work.

Throughout the process, students are mentored by high-level industry professionals. Graduates leave Metropolitan College with an impressive business plan that's already underway. Sometimes they not only finish their project, but are so excited that they expand their vision. For example, we had one student who designed and implemented a business plan to create a Website advertising Indian photographers. He's now researching and writing on an even broader topic: how to structure media industries in the Third World.

MM: Your Media Management MBA program focuses on not just film, but broadcasting, music, publishing and other media outlets. Do students immerse themselves in all facets of media, or can they concentrate on just one outlet?

FRM: Students come to us from a media industry in which they'd like to further develop their expertise, and each student does in-depth research on the industry of his or her choosing and interest. But media and communication arts students need to understand the history, structure, finance and operating principals of all the major culture industries: broadcasting and telecommunications, film, music, multimedia, publishing, visual arts and theater and performing arts, because arts and culture industries consistently interact and overlap. Students make connections to these industries through fellow students, professors and alumni. Small class sizes and strong alumni relations make this a very close-knit community, and there are ample opportunities for networking and the exchange of ideas.

MM: According to your Website, your program teaches students to deal with the "complex legal, ethical, economic and social dimensions" of a career in the media. But many people, when thinking of a career in media, tend to think only of the entertainment aspects. Can you give an example of the legal, ethical, economic and social dilemmas or problems that someone working in film is likely to deal with today?

FRM: If someone forgets to get a copyright for a musical work or script, he or she can lose control of his or her project. Students need to know how to read contracts and negotiate them. Media and arts managers need to know how to actualize their organization's mission, construct and interpret financials, resolve conflicts, motivate employees and reach and satisfy their target markets. Students also need to be aware of the dynamics of technological change. New technologies are constantly inventing new art forms and reinventing the ways in which we express ourselves, and communicate and interact with one another psychologically, socially and economically, here and abroad. To that we have to add the global nature of film. Movies are made, distributed and viewed all around the world. We are a global film village, so the study of international media-related business is crucial.

MM: Your MBA program consists of a three-semester year. How does one go about obtaining an MBA in one year? How intensive are the classes? When do classes generally meet?

FRM: We're in New York City, in the heart of the business and entertainment capital of the world. I think students feed off of the energy here, the culture, the diversity, the pace of life, and come out of the program prepared and excited to work in this very competitive industry.

Most of my students say the one-year MBA in Media Management program at Metropolitan College was the best educational year of their lives, and I think that's due to the fact that they're totally involved in what they're doing. It takes dedication and discipline to succeed in our program. But the students come in already loving what they do, and they want to learn how to do it better. That lends itself to the experiential, immersional nature of the program. The students are enacting their career goals, they're not understudies waiting for their future to happen.

Students complete three 15-week semesters, meeting on Friday evenings from 5:45-10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This program is tailored to meet the needs of working adults, and the students get a lot of support. Students function as a learning community for one another.

MM: Part of your educational design requires that students gain real life work experience while pursuing their education. How easily are students able to balance work and education? How do you work with students to help them balance the two?

FRM: Our students are highly motivated. When you're doing something that's relevant to your work, you're motivated to do your best. It's also very common in media and communication arts industries to multitask. So, I find that our students are able to successfully balance work and education. Computer assistance, tutoring and counseling services are also available.

MM: What companies is the school working with in helping students to gain experience? MBA students are expected to have prior experience in their desired field. What sort of experience are you looking for? What is the typical Metropolitan College student like?

FRM: We have a very hands-on Office of Career Services for students to help them find internships and work in their respective fields. We also work with the Media Management Institute to bring in a wide variety of media-industry guest speakers.

One of the great inherent advantages Metropolitan College students have is networking with professors, alumni and fellow students. We're in New York City, which is truly a melting pot of cultures and ideas. Our students make connections with people from all over the world. We have alumni in highly-placed positions in many media and culture industries. One former student is an Advertising Director at AOL Time Warner. Another is a Vice President at AMA (the American Management Association). A third is a Financial and Special Events Coordinator at Time Inc., a division of AOL Time Warner. Another MBA graduate has gone on to produce plays in NYC, perform in films, on TV and on stage, and is currently acting in Syndrome ,a play based on his concept, that is receiving high praise from the BBC and New York Times, among others. And one of our current students is a Vice President at Viacom.

Our students are bright, talented and motivated. But there is no typical Metropolitan College Media Management student because I think people in the entertainment industries tend to be atypical. Students come from a wide array of backgrounds in communication arts, radio, television, film, music. They also typically come from the fine arts, museum administration, law, education, public relations, creative writing, journalism, multimedia, publishing, e-commerce, theater, dance and opera. They are a diverse group who come from all over the continental United States and around the world: Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Bangladesh, England, Puerto Rico, India, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Israel, Canada, Latin America, you name it. We offer excellent ESL courses to support our international students.

MM: What is the one way in which you think Metropolitan College distinguishes itself as a film education institution? How is Metropolitan College different as a business education institution?

FRM: You can't be a filmmaker without understanding how to develop and navigate your way through the aesthetic, financial, technological and managerial aspects of the industry. It's not enough to just have the artistic skills. You need to put students into a market context and ask: "Okay, you've made your film, now how are you going to get it out there?" I want to teach my students how to make a living doing what they love to do, not just how to write a screenplay or storyboard a film. Most film schools don't do that, and as a result their graduates have a hard time developing their respective careers. That's what sets us apart.

We were the first program in this country to offer a developmentally designed real-world degree in media and communication arts management and we remain the leader in this field. Knowing how to make a film is just part one. Knowing how to develop a career in film is part two. Both parts are equally important. Our Website (http://www.metropolitan.edu) gives a pictorial overview and tour of our unique program.

MM: Your Study Abroad program is truly unique and exciting. Can you talk a bit about how it works?

FRM: Every Media Management MBA student attends and participates in the Cannes Film Festival and Market. The study abroad program gives each student a first-hand look at the conduct of international business in a vibrant, multicultural setting. It's a once-in-a-lifetime trip that our students cherish and remember. At Cannes, one student signed a $3 million film deal. Another was cast in two feature films. A third got distribution deals for her movie in all French-speaking territories. Our Website features a Cannes photo journal documenting the experience from our students' point of view.

MM: Any final comments you'd like to add?

FRM: I believe in this program. If you're serious about pursuing a career in any aspect of media, art or culture, whether you're an artist, accountant, producer or marketing manager, the Metropolitan College MBA in Media Management is the only game in town.

For more information on Metropolitan College of New York, visit http://www.metropolitan.edu