When I applied at PAVI, I was living in a ghost-town working at a dead-end job. My friend who lived in Vancouver told me about PAVI, and I was immediately excited by it. After about a month, my decision was made – I was going to move to Vancouver, go to PAVI, and begin my career in the music industry. I was excited about the big changes that were about to occur, and I think that’s why I chose the school. I read up on it and heard some really good things. I learned about a couple of past students that had to quit because they landed their dream jobs while in school, so that was really all the convincing it took for me.
They let me know that you won’t just land a job by going to school, but had to work pretty hard during and after the program to actually gain employment.
I spoke with a few of the employees at the school who answered some questions I had about internships and how that worked, and the thing I noticed while speaking with them is that they were completely honest with me. They let me know that you won’t just land a job by going to school, but had to work pretty hard during and after the program to actually gain employment. It was good thing to know before applying, as I knew I had a challenge waiting in Vancouver, and was ready to face it.
I had absolutely no expertise in the industry before I attended other than being a pretty huge music fan, and dating a radio DJ who I learned a few things about promotion from.
The Film & Music Business Program
The program is broken down into 3 semesters. I felt a bit overwhelmed in the first semester, as I was learning new things and lingo about the modern day music industry. I also learned a lot about the local music scene (key contacts and venues in Vancouver, most popular bands etc). The first semester really set me up to get out there and start meeting the people that would help me get my foot in the door. If you’re moving from another city to attend PAVI and know absolutely nothing about Vancouver, they’ll do a great job showing you the ropes and helping build that ever-important contact infrastructure. Within the 3 semesters were the following courses:
- Entertainment Business Skills
- Film and Music Industry Contacts
- The History and Business of Popular Entertainment
- Marketing and Promotion
- Independent Label
- Artist Development and Management
- Records Production
- Concerts, Festivals and Tradeshows
- Music Videos
- Film Set and Personnel
- The Business of Film
- Film Production and Administration
Each of the courses helped shape me into a well-rounded music business professional, even the film courses. While I was in school, I thought that the film courses had nothing to do with the music business and resented the fact that we had to sit through those classes. However, when I first landed my job at the label, one of our artists was in a bind. Our video guy wasn’t available to shoot a really important rehearsal, and sprung it on us last minute. So, instead of having to deal with a very unhappy artist, we borrowed the camera and shot it ourselves. I was able to get some really good shots and interviews in that day, because of my film training. Who knew? It’s like being in high-school and complaining about math saying “we’ll never use this in real life!” and then coming to the realization that the education was actually useful. Each of the other courses was crucial in my education, and I still hear my instructor’s lectures ringing in my ears on a daily basis. Learning about artist management and how indie labels function was imperative in my success at my job this far.
I did everything I set out to do when I moved away from my hometown.
PAVI wasn’t what I expected, but nothing really is in life. PAVI is what you make of it, bottom line. It’s easy to get away with not doing homework or paying attention in class, arriving late or not at all, and it’s up to you to try your best and take every bit of info you can possibly get. So I guess I would have liked to see more student interaction and general interest. PAVI was a lot smaller than I had expected, but when is a small class size a bad thing? I didn’t have any expectations from PAVI other than learning what I needed to learn in a short period of time, gaining an internship to earn street cred, and eventually landing a great job at a sweet company. I did everything I set out to do when I moved away from my hometown.
The best parts of the program were Dave Chesney and Shawn Cole. Yes, two instructors. While PAVI taught me tons of valuable info I use all the time, these two instructors had a ton of real-life advice that has always stuck out in my mind. Dave had this thing where he would always repeat important things over and over again. At the time it was a bit annoying, but now I realize the method to his madness was to drill that oh so important info into our heads, not only to teach us, but to get us to start actually thinking like a music industry professional would. Shawn taught a non-techie girl how to be a techie. Although I wasn’t interested in the production side of things at the time, I still learned about it, and now I have a really good understanding about what makes a good producer, how hit songs are constructed, mixing and mastering basics, and basically everything else behind the production aspect – extremely helpful in the world of artist management. Being able to advise your client on these things and give educated and helpful advice is a major plus.
PAVI really prepared me for my career. It was a combination of education and networking, which PAVI played a key role in. I mean, I worked my ass off while I was in school so I’m going to take partial credit for this too. But a lot of people ask me, “If you were able to go back in time, would you still go to PAVI?” My answer is yes. Although you can probably get a job in the music industry at a label or whatever type of company and just work your way up the ladder, you’ll lack the education it takes for you to actually succeed within that company. If two people were working towards the same position, who’s going to wind up with the promotion? The educated person who has great ideas and tons of knowledge to bring to the table, or the person still learning about how things work. If you’re really serious about working in the music industry, you’ll definitely need a concrete education.
When I went to PAVI, my tuition was $15,000, though I think that’s gone up. I’m in collections for my student loans, but still think that was money well spent. It will be paid off one day very soon, and I’ll have a very lucrative career by then. Included in our tuition was a hard drive, which we didn’t really use, however, I use it now! Books weren’t included, which sucked. Try having to come up with $500 on $8/hour scanning groceries and living in a city as expensive as Vancouver! But I did it, because I wanted it bad! All worth it now. Looking back on that year, I think it would have been a lot easier for me if books were included.
Enrolling at PAVI is step one in a massive investment in yourself.
The Verdict
Would I recommend the program? This is a two part answer. Yes, if you’re ready to work really hard. Yes, if you know that working in the music industry is what you want to do. Yes if you’re not shy, really good with people and communicating. If you’re someone with heart and a real passion for music, but you’re also a strong-willed business person. Yes. No, if you’re a music fan that thinks you pay x amount, go for one year, graduate and get a piece of paper that seems to be the magic ticket to gain a job in the field you’re looking for. No, if you think working in the music industry is glamorous and pays a ridiculous amount of money right away. Enrolling at PAVI is step one in a massive investment in yourself. That being said, step one is the most important step, so if you really want it, go for it. You’ll reach all of your goals if you put your mind to it. There’s a million jobs in the Vancouver music industry.
I’m currently working for a record label and management company. I do the day to day management duties for 4 artists. I utilize the various skills I learned at PAVI on a daily basis. I was in the right place at the right time, and that’s how I got here. But if you learn as much as you can about the various companies you’d be able to work at and start meeting all the right people, it’s not hard at all.
http://www.604records.com
http://www.simkinartistmanagement.com
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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