Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 913: I don't want to be friends with people I work with. I just want to be hired to do my job...

...and have my friends separate. How do I do this?"

I'm the wrong coach to ask this question of because I'm not going to tell you how to do that. I'm going to tell you to change your attitude. I'm not saying you have to be best pals with the people you work with. You don't have to have family barbecues with them and spend your vacations together, but what's wrong with "work friends." For years I worked in offices, and while I didn't socialize with many of my fellow employees outside of the office, I was friends with them at work.

Everything in the entertainment industry takes a LONG time; development, pre-production, production, post. If people have to spend a lot of time together, they prefer to spend that time with people they like. Aren't you likable? If not, like I said, change your attitude. This sounds like a question with a built-in defense mechanism. Open yourself up to the possibility of working with people you like and who like you.


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

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 912: How do I get back into conversations with people I've been out of touch with?

People are busy. Unless this was a lifelong friend who tried to stay in touch with you and you didn't respond, he/she is not sitting around wondering why you haven't called.

Simply get back in touch. Something made you think of this person, so call and say, "You crossed my mind and it's been such a long time I wanted to reconnect."

If the reason he came to mind is because you saw he is working on a new show, don't ask for work. Thats a turn off. Your connections already have established work relationships. You have to rebuild yours with these people. No matter how badly you need the work, you can really turn a person off if you call them after 3 years and say, Hey, I see you've got a new project. I'm available."

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!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 911: How do I become a film director?

This is a question of art/talent, as opposed to career coaching. I don't teach you how to direct, I teach you how to get work once you know how to direct. So, I'll give you some advice for getting started:

1. Get director mentors

2. Read Sidney Lumet's book MAKING MOVIES (that was the first assignment from my directing mentor)

3. Watch/listen to the director commentary on DVDs of movies you like

There's a lot of research that can be done before you even get creative as far as reading articles, visiting www.dga.org, reading books, and researching online director forums. In the mean time, if you do have a video camera and a computer to edit on, start discovering your voice.


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

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 910: Should I pay people who are actors to manage me because they get the breakdowns?

It is illegal for actors to get the breakdowns. I have heard of groups of actors who formed legitimate management companies who pay for and receive the breakdowns legally. Whether they charge to represent you I don't know. I can't advise you to do anything illegal that affects someone's business/livelihood.

You have to do some more research and decide what risks you are willing to take for your career. Just know the guy from breakdown services is a very smart man and finds people who are stealing his product and you could potentially be sued.


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

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 909:Do you have to live out of a car to make it in Hollywood?

His question was longer but basically along the lines of "everyone who seems to make it has a rock bottom moment that gave them the determination to make it" time in their life.

Personally, I don't like terms like "everyone." Last I checked Julia Roberts never lived in her car. You have to believe in yourself and what you do. Some people are motivated by discomfort; it pushes them. But if you are motivated and live in a penthouse on the Wilshire Corridor, all power to you. Some of these stories are also what publicists call "spin."


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

Friday, August 26, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 908:Do you think it is wise to send a letter congratulating someone who was recently promoted?

... even if that person doesn't know who you are? In such a letter, I would confine my remarks to their good fortune and not try to pitch or ask them for anything. Or is it weird?"

I don't think it's weird at all. I think it's a great idea, BECAUSE you added two very important points:

1. Do not pitch the person
2. Do not ask for anything

This is a congratulatory note. It gets your name in front of the person. It may even cause the person to Google you to see if he/she knows you from somewhere. Either way, your name is in front of the person so that someday down the line, when your name is in front of him/her again, there will be a familiarity.

These types of notes are relationship builders. There should be NO agenda attached. You will most likely never hear back from the person, but that's not the point.

I like the way you're thinking!


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

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 907:How do I figure out if I should pursue a career in entertainment?

Research, research, research! Millions of people have dreams of making it in the entertainment industry. The majority will never do more than dream. Like in every industry, there are pros and cons to the entertainment industry.

Here are some tips:

1. Write down what you want to do in the industry AND the expectations of what you think you'll be doing in that job.

2. Write down your expectations of what it will be like to work in entertainment; the time frame until you're working steadily, the hours worked, the pay scale, and everything else you imagine a career in entertainment to be.

3. Go on entertainment industry forums and get people's feedback on your expectations.

Now, people may be brutal if your expectations are completely unreasonable, but don't be discouraged. If you truly want to pursue your dream, get lots of opinions on others' experiences working in the business. If you are still discouraged, contact me, and we can discuss your particular situation. Remember, sometimes people have their own agenda for discouraging you. I will always encourage you, I'll be realistic and honest in an encouraging way.


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

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 906:What's the most embarassing job you've ever taken for supplemental income?

I've answered this before, but it's time again... I was saving this for my first David Letterman appearance, but I suppose I can give all of you "my insiders" the first audience. I had been in Los Angeles for two years working as a waitress and decided, "That's it! If I'm going to be working and not getting auditions, I may as well be working in a place where I'm meeting people in high places."

So, I got into the temp pool at MGM/UA and began creating relationships with all of the big wigs because I was on the top floor. After almost 6 months of developing relationships with people and discussing development, production, post, publicity, marketing, and even acting, the human resources woman told me she had a special job for me, where I'd get to meet everyone in the company. I was SO excited.

CUT TO:

EXT: MGM/UA OUTDOOR PARK AREA- DAY

Me in a stupid outfit, serving birthday cake for "Leo the Lion's" first birthday party. Yes, I put on a smile as the big execs that had treated me like an up and comer for 6 months, started barking orders about wanting an "end piece" or "just a sliver because she's on a diet," or "cut the piece from the center so I can have a piece of the Lion's head." I mean really! It was utterly humiliating.

The next week I found myself in a small windowless room with 3 other temps stuffing W2 forms. I came across Brad Pitt's in my pile and shoved it in my bra for the remainder of the day before mailing it off to his accountant (with a lipstick free kiss). I suppose that's the closest Brad Pitt will ever be to my boob.

Not the most educational blog entry, though I hope it amused you and will inspire you to share your least favorite "make-a-buck-jobs-to-survive" with this person who is clearly torn about a job he may potentially take.


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

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 905: How do I research the new fall line up?

First, let me say I am SOOO excited for all of the comedies coming out this season!

Second, you research them in a number of ways, the cheapest, and most direct way, is to go directly to the sites and look under "shows":

http://beta.abc.go.com/
http://www.nbc.com/
http://www.fox.com/
http://www.cwtv.com/
http://www.cbs.com/

Then there are the numerous cable networks that have original content. To name a few:
Lifetime, TNT, A&E, HBO, Showtime, Disney, Nickelodeon, Sci Fi, USA, and check out
http://www.google.com/Top/Arts/Television/Networks/Cable/ for a longer list.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 904:What does it mean when a casting director says, "great job" and then doesn't give you a call back?

It means different things from different casting directors. YOUR job as an actor/actress, is to go in prepared, and do the best audition you can do. An audition is a job. Your acting in front of people, right? So you're doing your job. Treat an audition with as much respect and hard work as you would if you booked the job you're auditioning for. Show up on time, do your job, then leave and let it go. If someone say's "Great," then great. If they don't call you in, it doesn't mean you weren't great. It could mean you get called in 7 years later, for a part that you're perfect for. You just don't know. Sorry...

Analyzing what people mean is futile. Even if you asked, you have no guarantee that they'll tell you truthfully what they meant. Confidence must come from within you, NOT others' opinions of you.


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

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...