The Next Step is an education program dedicated to teaching high school students the business of the entertainment business. This after-school enrichment program provides students at John Muir High School an in-depth understanding of music, television and film production and exposes them to the numerous career opportunities within the entertainment industry.

Using the record company model, instruction begins by selecting one student to be the artist while other students are placed in their department of choice. The Creative Department puts together a photo shoot and designs CD packing, the Marketing Department creates a marketing plan, the Artist & Repertoire Department puts together a recording budget and records a song with the artist, Publicity creates a publicity plan and so on. In addition, the students learn the use of the latest software as well as digital still and video cameras.

By going through the program, students come away with a clear understanding of the arts and entertainment business in a real world environment, career options, and some fundamental life skills:

1. • Teamwork
   

2. • Non-confrontation problem solving
   

3. • Goal setting
   

4. • Organizational skills
   

5. • Strategic planning
   

6. • Critical thinking 
   

The Next Step Co-Directors: 

Richard Pina and Hakim Abdal-Khallaq

The Next Step Advisory Board:

Sharon Robinson

Vice President of District Partnerships,

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Barbara Solomon

Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity,

University of Southern California