Pop culture ascended onto society with the invention of radio and television and has almost taken over with the establishment of the cable vision industry and today’s internet. As internet connectivity increases and the mediums interface, the outlets for entertainment will continue to flourish. Entertainment talent will be necessary for an ever-increasing business.
The entertainment spectrum is vast, but few niches in the entertainment industry surpass the impact of sports programming. Sports programming popularity has grown in leaps and bounds since the pioneering days of “sports only” channels being offered as part of cable packages across the country. The addition of satellite technology has allowed the entertainment and sports industry to become the programming leader that it is today.
The capacity of the individual to broadcast themselves has exploded the industry in recent times, along with all associated forms of journalism. The entertainment and sports employment opportunities offered by cyber-communication make the entertainment business one of the most lucrative industries in the world in terms employment possibility. If you are talented, you can be produced. The demand is there. And you no longer need the approval of a major production company to supply the outlet.
Entertainment and Sports Job Responsibilities
Job responsibilities in the entertainment industry are highly varied. When we actually watch the production of any program and entertainment venue, we typically think that the supporting cast is not so important. The truth is that the actual entertainers may be the weakest link in the process. Producers are the most in demand for all types of programming and this is a very lucrative area for any individual with the inclination.
Depending on the venue, and sports in particular, the focus on accurate information is always a component in any reporting. The talent of the individual should direct the special niche for that particular entertainer and always be aware that the competition within the industry creates specialization.
The bottom line on the entertainment industry in any form is that there are primarily two types of workers. There are artists and technicians. Sometimes they are only one. Sometimes both. Even sports broadcasts, or print articles for that matter, are a form of entertainment. Sports reporters are specialty entertainers, just like current events news personalities. Even news broadcasts are in the competitive entertainment market.
Before embarking on a career in the entertainment industry always be aware of the technical component of the market concerning employment possibilities.
Entertainment and Sports Training and Education Requirements
There are very few industries where talent drives the success of the individual as much as the entertainment and sports industry. There is clearly no educational requirement for many of the individuals who are featured in programming in its various forms. There is, however, an absolute necessity within the operational component of any entertainment production company for individuals of significant talent to develop and produce quality content.
The management teams of entertainment outlets are often a cross-section of individuals trained in general business, accounting, and content production. Entertainment industry managers and content providers normally have bachelor’s degrees in mass communication or broadcasting and journalism. Company operations are normally under the direction of individuals trained in business operations and many of the most effective entertainment managers have a combination of training because of the nature of the industry.
Sports entertainment is easily the most popular employment field when considering entertainers who were former athletes and move to the production booth after playing. Their particular insights as to what is actually happening during and after the broadcasts provide employment opportunities in a different niche of the industry. They may not be formally trained in the area, but the experience of the individual helps maintain accuracy in reporting and maintains entertainment value at the same time.
Entertainment and Sports Certifications
There are no specific certifications in the entertainment or sports industry, unless someone is possibly working as a trainer with a particular sports entity. Athletic team doctors, and often physical therapists, are required to have a medical certification of some type. Many people do not consider athletes to be entertainers, but the contemporary athlete may be the supreme performer in today’s entertainment economy. Physical conditioning is a large part of the sports entertainment industry.
Entertainment and Sports Professional Associations
There may be no industry like the entertainment and sports spectrum in terms of high profile professional associations. When you consider the professional music academies, actors academies, professional organizations like the National Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Broadcasters, along with athletic associations like professional athletic unions and tangent trade associations, it is difficult to find an appropriate comparison.
The entertainment industry does not just occur on a nationwide basis. We have many great and successful entertainers and communicators who market themselves in local markets and are members of state-wide and regional professional associations who rate their competitors on a yearly basis, handing out their own awards for programming excellence.