Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1000: I don't live in LA so what can one do?

She also wanted to know of any reliable script competitions.

I chose this as my 1000 question to answer, because so much production is happening outside of Los Angeles and everyone is confused. The people who live in smaller or non-production cities don't know how to get work when Los Angeles productions come in and bring people with them. And the Los Angeles people don't know how to get work because the jobs are so spread out across the country and beyond.

What you all can do is:
1. Get focused in your research (so you don't find out about productions when it's too late). Talk to your film commission to find out what's coming. If you're in Los Angeles, you'll find out about productions that are going, so you want to find out who the people involved in the project are so you can get some "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon" going, and reach out to the people to take you with them, if they can.

2. Expand your contacts to include people who are in "the know" (I suggest mentorship as the best way to learn from those who are working in the industry). I interview industry mentors every month in my Greenlight Mentor Program, and the best way to learn about what's happening and what people are projecting will happen, is to learn from working people. If you live outside of Los Angeles, you can SKYPE, telephone, or email. If you live in Los Angeles, start by phone, and then work up to meeting in person. If this sounds confusing, perhaps enrolling in my program is a great place to start for you. I bring the mentors to you.

3. Use the internet. Google the people who tend to bring work to your state and see if they have a blog, a YouTubeChannel, or social media pages. Comment, ask questions, and build relationships in cyberspace no matter where you live.

*And in the case of this particular person who wanted to know about script competitions, etc. Check out Jen Grisanti.

I can't stress enough how important it is to seek out action and then take it. Too many people get stuck in not knowing what to do. The only way to find out what to do is ask people who've done it.

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

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 999: How do you differentiate between being aggressive and being a pest?

This is the age old question that has been addressed by me many many times. The person who asked, had a meeting with someone who said that the quality she most admires is someone who is aggressive and goes for what he/she wants. Then when asked what turns her off, she said, "People who are pests."

So you can see the Questioner's dilemma.

Here is my humble opinion on the subject. There is no definition for Pest and Positively Aggressive that can help you be one and not the other. What it comes down to is your personality, your passion, and your emotional state.

I have never met an outgoing person, who is excited and passionate about what they were perusing who aggressively stayed in touch and reminded me of their goals, who struck me as a pest... NEVER.

On the other hand I have had MANY people pursue me in a whiny, miserable way, using statements like "I'm dying over here" or "I'm going crazy from lack of work" whose desperation, neediness and lack of passion was not only Pest-like, it was also enough to turn a career coach off... and it's my job to help people. But seriously, why would I want to be around someone like that (unless they are paying me A LOT of money and I mean A LOT!)

So be aware of "who you're being." Come from a place of authenticity and passion. Go for what you want and don't apologize for it. And pursue with purpose. If someone thinks you're a pest when that's who you're being.... that person is "not your people" so move on...


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, November 28, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 998: How useful is recommendations from professionals you worked with that they can leave you on linkedin?

question continues: Is it possible to use them in your cover letter as recommendation or send them a link to your linkedin profile where the recommendations would pop up.

I interviewed LinkedIn expert Lewis Howes on Using LinkedIn for your entertainment industry career. If you go to Greenlight Hollywood, you can hear my free teleseminar "How to Use Social Media to Get Jobs in Entertainment" and at the end, it tells you what to do so I can send you the free MP3 interview with Lewis.

That's for those of you who really want to get a great understanding of social media in our industry. The short answer to your question is, anytime someone has something positive to say about you in writing it's a good thing. And yes, I see no reason why you couldn't include quotes and recommendations from people in your cover letter when you are writing to them cold. It lets them know that others have worked with you and are pleased with your work.

Sending them a link gives them an extra step which they may or may not take, so that's not your best plan of attack.

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, November 27, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 997: How do I create a "Brand" for my acting career?

This was asked by an actress but works for any classification. I get asked about branding a lot. After interviewing Diane Farr for myMentor/Elite Program, she made a great point about finding your voice before branding yourself. Your "voice" becomes your brand. Diane 'looks like Barbie but talks like Ken.' That's quite a specific and visual brand, and it is clearly her voice in everything she's done, past and present; a host on Love Line, a series regular on many television shows as a beautiful and tough talking FBI Agent, Firefighter, & Cop, author of The Girl Code, article contributer to countless magazines & newspapers, and blogger.

Diane's voice is clear in everything she does, that's how she branded herself. Now, she has the talent and connections to play other roles, and write heart wrenching stories about drunk driving, but even then, there's always a little Diane in it, which is what makes her unique and in turn, fascinating to watch and read.

So if you want to brand yourself successfully, start by modeling people who have done it well.

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, November 26, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 996:Is it appropriate to send home-baked goods as holiday gifts?

It depends on how well you know the people you're sending the home made baked goods to. If I were to get cookies from someone I barely know, I have to admit I wouldn't eat them. If my close friend or client gave me cookies (and they were gluten & sugar free) I would eat them.

So........ the thought is good, but I hope you have less cynical people to send them to than 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!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 995: Is it safe to take time off from now until Jan 2nd?

Is it safe? It depends on what you'll be doing; skydiving, race car driving, traveling to a dangerous country?

Or do you mean, might you miss a work call? You may, you may not. Is this the way you want to live your life? How would you feel if you didn't do what you wanted for the next six weeks and no call for work came in? On the other hand, if you miss a work call while taking time off, will you beat yourself up forever?

I can't answer this question for you. Only you can decide.

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!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 994: Should I be building my reel in film school or taking business classes?

It depends on the business classes your film school offers. You should absolutely be focused on the business side of the industry while in film school, however if the marketing, sales, and business classes are not directly related to the entertainment industry, you will have to get really clear on how what they're teaching, applies to you.

Film school IS for building your reel, perfecting your craft, building relationships, obtaining mentors, and preparing for entering the industry armed with an understanding of the business.

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!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 993: How often should I send out my headshot to the same casting director? How many should I start off with?

So this is two questions. The answer to the first is, (and this is based on the majority of CDs who have answered this question) you send a head shot once. They want you to save your money and the majority of them want to save trees. That's why so many cast through online service, so they don't have to send hundreds of headshots to the recycle bin each day.

Once a Casting Director has your headshot, unless you're submitting it for a certain role, you wouldn't send a headshot as follow up. Instead, you send a postcard or a note. Remember, there should be a purpose to your follow up; something special, unique, or a question. Just sending postcards every week to say "Hi" isn't as productive as creating a memorable campaign.

Question two, is regarding how many Casting Directors to send to. You want to target the shows you're right for. And when I say "right," I know many actors go into 'chameleon mode' where they can play any role, but if you're 35 and not a character actress, targeting a Disney show isn't as productive as targeting a show that features people your age, weekly.

Because I work with my clients to build strong relationships with people before asking for work, I suggest you start with 20 offices to get well acquainted with and then expand from there.

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, November 22, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 992:If one hasn’t made a magnificent relationship with an up-and-coming talent at AFI, what is the next move?

This was submitted by an AFI student. First, you don't want to wait until the end of film school to discover that you haven't found that "one" superstar to hitch your wagon to. The great thing about being in film school is the opportunity to reach out to working professionals in the industry to get them to mentor you (a business advice and guidance mentorship). When possible, reach out to your film school alumnus. These professionals can tell you what great things came out of film school, and the missed opportunities that they recognize now, that you can capitalize on while you're still there.

It's important while in film school to think about a bigger picture. Where you want to be in 20 years and work backwards. Who are the people out in the industry doing what you want to be doing? Get advice from them so that you can maximize every possibility while in school, and leave with a minimum of 200 relationships by the time you graduate.

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, November 21, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 991:How do you transition into higher positions from working as a PA for a couple years?

The way to transition is to be creating relationships with people along the way, so when you decide the area in which you'd like to move up, you have people who want to work with you and will be willing to move you up.

Make a Contact List: a list of everyone you know in the industry broken down by people's classifications and do an analysis.

How many people do you know in each department? Do you know enough to move up? Do you know people who can introduce you to the people in the department you want to transition to?

Whenever it comes to moving up it always comes back to the quality and quantity of your relationships. So start with the evaluation and then send me any questions that your analysis may bring up.

And good luck!

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, November 20, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 990: Should I be sending out headshots or postcards to follow up a meeting with an agent or casting director?

Neither. If you had a meeting, I'm assuming that you already gave them a headshot. Your first follow-up should be a personalized thank you note. You are not asking for work, you are simply thanking the person for the meeting. Be sure to mention something that was said that had an impact on you, and any personal things you connected on. If the card reflects something you spoke about, even better.

I don't suggest putting your picture in the card, just write your name clearly. the reason for this is that you want it to be a genuine thank you. If the person forgot who you are but is touched by your words, he/she will look you up on IMDB (so make sure your pictures are up there and your credits are updated.)

Then you can follow up again a week or two later with a postcard, with a "marketing reason" for sending it.


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, November 19, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 989: unsolicited scripts are not read, but is it true that a producer with a pitch can get the meet?

I'm not 100% sure I get your question. I think what you're asking is if there's a difference between trying to send an unsolicited script and making an unsolicited pitch. And the answer is no, it is not true. Anyone can say they're a producer with a pitch. When I worked in development, if a writer or a director didn't come to us through an agent/manager/entertainment lawyer, they had to sign a release form. By doing this, the production company is protecting themselves in case your idea is similar to something they already have or something else they may do in the future.

It is the same with an unsolicited script. If for some reason a company is intrigued by your idea and someone wants to read your script, they will ask you to sign a release first.

So, yes, as a producer you can get a pitch meeting and get a script read, but you will have to sign a release. Before signing it, you should have it looked over by a lawyer.

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, November 18, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 988: Do you answer questions on your birthday?

Nope :-)

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!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 987: How do you find more information about IATSE in different markets?

Go to the IATSE International webpage http://www.iatse-intl.org/home.html and then click on local union directory and then "search local unions."

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...