Why I’m Teaching Film & Television Financing and Law at the University of Houston

There is a phrase I have repeated throughout my career:

Show business is 10% show and 90% business.

For more than three decades, I’ve worked across the entertainment industry as an attorney, producer, actress, writer, and entrepreneur. I’ve helped bring projects to life, negotiated deals, protected intellectual property, advised creatives, and witnessed firsthand what separates a great idea from a sustainable career.

Often, the difference isn’t talent. It’s understanding the business behind the art.

A New Chapter at the University of Houston

That’s one reason I’m excited to share that I will be joining the University of Houston’s newly launched Film & Media Arts Certificate Program this Fall as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Film and Television Financing and Law.

Photo credit: University of Houston

This course is designed to help students understand what happens beyond the script, beyond the camera, and beyond the creative process.

What Students Will Explore

We’ll explore how film and television projects are financed, how investors evaluate opportunities, how rights are protected, how budgets are built, and how legal and business decisions impact the life of a project from development through distribution.

The entertainment industry is evolving rapidly.

Photo credit: University of Houston

Streaming platforms continue to reshape distribution. Independent creators have more opportunities than ever before. Artificial intelligence is changing workflows. Financing structures continue to evolve.

Yet one challenge remains consistent: many creatives enter the industry without a clear understanding of how the business actually works.

My goal is simple. To help bridge that gap.

Why This Work Matters

Whether someone wants to become a filmmaker, producer, writer, executive, entrepreneur, or content creator, understanding financing, contracts, ownership, and intellectual property is no longer optional.

These are foundational skills that help protect careers, projects, and opportunities.

Photo credit: Jalene speaking to filmmakers about creative entrepreneurship and brand protection at Worldfest Houston International Film Festival

I am honored to be part of a program that recognizes the importance of combining creative excellence with business knowledge.

The future of entertainment will belong to creators who not only know how to tell stories—but also understand how to build, protect, finance, and sustain them.

Looking Ahead

I look forward to contributing to that conversation and helping prepare the next generation of entertainment professionals.

Because talent matters.
But structure sustains careers.

For more information:

University of Houston Film & Media Arts Certificate Program

https://kgmca.shorthandstories.com/jalene-mack
https://publications.uh.edu/preview_program

Learn more about Jalene Mack:
https://www.jalenemack.com

Explore industry guides:
https://planoly.store/jalenemack

Book a consultation:
https://calendly.com/info-fey