Thursday, September 30, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 575: In our lecture at AFI, you talked about an accountability team. Can you elaborate?

An accountability team is a group of like-minded people, who are just as focused on your success as their own. You set goals and everyone on the team is aware of each others' goals and helps where they can and hold you accountable for the things you say you're going to do.

You can present it to people as an accountability team, or a mastermind group, or whatever name you choose. The people in the group should be focused, self-motivated, and do-ers.

You may need a leader, or a tool to keep you on track. I recommend my book And...Action! because it has 52 chapters of proven tools, strategies, and mindsets, that your team can work on together to build a strong business foundation.

Some groups break it down even further to have accountability partners within the group whom they check in with 5 days/week.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 574: I'm in a new city and out of work, what should I do?

Here's how the conversation started on Facebook, and my answer follows...
KB:It's been 5 months since I've worked, came all the way from San Francisco to Louisiana because this is where the industry is right now, and even joined the union, and still can't find work!
Me: When you moved to Louisiana, did you have contacts there who could hire you? Just because there is work in a location doesn't mean that you will get hired, because people have to know you, like you, and trust you before they bring you on to their million dollar set. Their jobs, reputation, and lots of money is on the line. If you don't know the people who can hire you well, and plan to stay there, I would suggest getting a supplemental income job and focusing on building relationships with people who can hire you.
KB: Thank for your quick response. I did not have any connections when I got here 5 months ago, but now I have several. From set medics, Teamsters, sound, and electricians. I teamed up with people that I have certifications and licenses to work with. I'm two weeks away from being voted on to be part of the union, after months of establishing residency and submitting all paperwork. Wow! What a lot of work! I have been maintaining all contacts and trying to network like crazy. I think once I'm in the union, things should start to break. Is there anything else I can do in the mean time?

Okay, the first thing I noticed in the response was the word "several." It's all a numbers game. What you can be doing in the mean time is turning "several" into 50... minimum! I know that may sound like a lot, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. You don't have to be in the union to reach out to Union members, so why wait two weeks. People are going to have to get to know you before they hire you anyway, so you may as well start the process immediately. Have your contacts who are set medics, Teamsters, sound, etc., invite you for set visits so you can meet new crews face to face.

Remember, as you are getting to know people, resist the urge to ask for work when you meet for the first time. Instead, ask questions about the "work climate" and being new in town, smart strategies for generating work in that market. This way people will know you're looking for work without you putting them on the spot or worse... putting them off.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 573: What should I do to get into the Acting Profession?

The question read, "Well, I have Been trying to built up my Acting Career, tried agencies, they are not helpful. So my question is, what should I do to get in to the Acting Profession? Honestly, I don't know where to start?...."

I checked his facebook page and he lives in Hollywood, CA, so the first thing I would suggest is getting into a reputable acting school and/or joining the Actors Network, because you want to get into a community where people at all levels can give you advice.

1. You will need to build your credits and turns those credits into a reel.

2. You will need headshots.

3. You have to create relationships with other actors, casting directors, producers, directors, and literally every other classification in the industry (because when you find like minded people they can connect you directly to the people who can hire you).

4. You have to hone your craft.

5. You have to create a long term and short term plan for the business side of you acting career.

In addition, I suggest reading blog posts 1-572 and get some tips and advice from me.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 572: What's more effective, phone calls or emails?

Here's how the actual question read: "Just a quick question for you: I'm in the process of setting up my progress tracking and sending out several emails to contacts. Was looking over your handout regarding the "call objective sheet" and realize that it could also be substituted for an "email objective sheet," but I was wondering if that was the right train of thought? In our currently technological and networked world, where do phone calls come in? How important are they now that it seems many people prefer to read and respond vs. talk on the phone?"

My advice is to ask people how they would like to be followed up with. As you stated in your question, people prefer to respond to emails. If you are finding that to be true, then that's how you want to stay in touch.

That said, I've always coached that the order of most effective to least effective (for most people) is: Best- face to face, then- phone, and least- email. The reason being is because of the way humans communicate. We develop stronger rapport in person (how many ended friendships started with a misread emoticon in an email?).

Communication is 7% the words, 38% your tonality (how you say the words), 55% physiology. In an email, all you have are the words, so the majority of communication is lost and can be misunderstood.

Respect your contacts' wishes, and when ever possible, go face to face or phone.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

entertainment industry coach question 571: What do I do when I can't eat the food on set?

I've been hearing this a lot lately because so many people have food issues. My best suggestion is, if you know you can't eat the food, bring a small cooler pack with food you can eat. I think Craft Service professionals are getting savvy to the many growing dietary needs. Stars have no issue in this department, but when you're an unknown, you have to take care of yourself... for now.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 570:How do I screen a movie in a theater myself?

I don't have a lot of knowledge on this, so perhaps the community can chime in. I've known some people who've gone to local movie theaters and rented them out during an afternoon.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Friday, September 24, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 569: If I worked in one area for a long time and want to reinvent myself, how do I convince people I can do it?

Be able to do it. If you can do the skill or craft you're transitioning to, you don't have to convince anyone. You can do it. My advice is to have an authentic story about why you decided to make this transition at this time. People love a great story and they love people who take risks to pursue their passion.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1280: I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language (cont'd)

"I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language. I  am looking to improve my comprehension when I read my text book...