Spotlight On: Emma Topping (Course Leader, Film Business & Production)

We recently sat down with Emma Topping, Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Film Business & Production degree at MetFilm School Brighton.

Emma is an industry veteran with an impressive portfolio, including roles as Executive Producer for Sony’s Peter Rabbit animated feature franchise and Netflix’s upcoming animated adaptation of Brian Jacques’s Redwall series. She is also the Founder & CEO of Viv Loves Film, a company that fosters new talent and develops exciting film projects.

In this interview, Emma shares her insights into the course, its unique integration of creative and business elements, and the wealth of opportunities it offers for aspiring filmmakers and producers.

Can you give an overview of the BA (Hons) Film and Business Production degree and its main objectives?

I co-created this degree to better prepare students for a global career in the screen industry as it is ever evolving and complementing other entertainment sectors: stage, experiential, theme park, video games, publishing, and merchandise.

For the producers, we look at this role with real-world, real-time expertise and masterclasses combining legal, business, and creative. For the filmmakers or the “unsures” we offer on set experience, making films, trailers, mood reels and much, much more. We are inclusive, we are committed to representation and promoting stories and futures for all, and this is reflected in our materials and our teaching.

What advice would you give to students applying for the BA (Hons) Film and Business Production degree?

Be open, curious and have an understanding about entertainment industry and the real world – what is going on in the world and how does it affect not only the industry, but you, your family and your friends. Look beyond the UK and Hollywood (but look there too), as someone said, “there’s a world outside your window.”

Watch films, watch series, read books, Go to the theatre and to the cinema. Listen to music, play the video games and start thinking about how these things all relate to each other. And don’t be snobby! There’s room for Lynch AND Love Island!

How does the course integrate both creative and business elements of film production?

We act like a mini entertainment company: entertainment companies tend to have production, acquisition, distribution, and franchise (e.g. consumer products, video games, theatrical/stage divisions). You make things (or acquire them) in one division to feed the other divisions.

On the business side, you’ll learn how to manage productions from concept to development, production, distribution, and franchising, all through a legal, business, and creative lens. Collaborative lectures and seminars are structured like in-house meetings, covering development sessions, acquiring legal rights, negotiation strategies, copyright understanding, and the motivations behind each company involved in the process. You’ll gain hands-on experience in class, working in a writers’ room, navigating fictional deal-making scenarios, and creating marketing and franchising strategies, as well as mood reels, pitch decks, and statements. And that’s just the business side.

You’ll also have the opportunity to make films, collaborating not only with your classmates but also with students from other courses such as Filmmaking, Production Design, and Hair & Make-Up. Collaboration extends beyond MetFilm students to those from other BIMM University faculties, including Performers College for actors, BIMM Music Institute for musicians, and MetStudios for video game development. And it’s not just limited to Brighton—you’ll also work with peers from our campuses in Birmingham, Manchester, London, and even Berlin!

What industry connections does the course offer to students?

All the Film Business & Production lecturers are active industry professionals who regularly bring their colleagues and collaborators into the classroom.

My students have had the opportunity to meet and speak with the Head of EMEA at Disney Theatrical, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of The Lion King and Frozen, and pitch their ideas to the Commissioning Editor of Channel 5/Paramount+ (with one of those pitches set to premiere on Channel 5 this year!). They’ve also received guidance from the Showrunner of Grace and even had the chance to work on set during filming in Brighton.

All my Brighton students have me as their lecturer for every module, and they have the unique advantage of applying for internships at my company, Viv Loves Film, as well as with other organisations. Beyond internships, four of my students are currently developing projects with Viv Loves Film, including a music biopic docuseries, two animated films, a drama series, and a new franchise concept.

How do you ensure the curriculum stays up to date with industry trends and demands?

We are not only dedicated lecturers but also active industry professionals working at the highest levels. Staying informed about the latest industry and global developments is central to the experience we provide our students.

Our courses are constantly evolving, incorporating real-world examples like the recent box office success of Deadpool and Wolverine, the impact of AI on the industry, DEI compliance in awards ceremonies, and the ongoing effects of the Hollywood strikes, particularly regarding stunt performers.

How does the course encourage creativity and innovation in film production?

We bring the industry directly into the classroom, engaging students with real-life experiences from various professional settings—whether it’s the boardroom, a writers’ room, legal proceedings (e.g., Baldwin on Rust, Depp v. Heard), film sets, or festival circuits. These scenarios are role-played, discussed, and revisited for deeper understanding and learning.

We are not detached from the industry; we are an active part of it, and we integrate this involvement into our teaching. Students also gain opportunities to attend industry fairs, festivals, and sales conferences.

Above all, we support and empower our students, giving them the confidence to explore new approaches and ideas.

What career paths are available to graduates of this course?

JUNIOR/ENTRY LEVEL

• Runner
• Production Assistant
• Production Office Runner
• Assistant Accountant
• Assistant Coordinator
• Contracts Administrator
• Film Scout
• Rights Manager

MID-SENIOR LEVEL

• Executive Producer
• Producer
• Showrunner
• Production Manager
• Production Co-ordinator
• Production Accountant
• Post-Production Supervisor
• Business Affairs
• Distribution and Financier Executives
• Various “film adjacent” industries e.g. events, media and brand, stage, video game, publishing, merchandise
• Studio/Broadcaster/Streamer Executive
• Agent/Manager (literary, scout, talent)

… and many more

Our BA (Hons) Film Business & Production degree offers an immersive experience, connecting students with real-world industry expertise, hands-on production opportunities, and vital networking pathways.

Whether you’re an aspiring producer, filmmaker, or someone exploring the world of screen business, this program equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate and succeed in the global entertainment industry.