Saturday, July 16, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 868:Any tips on technology etiquette? I was at a meeting with a guy who kept checking his iPhone.

Well, it sounds like you need to share this blog with him, because anyone who checks his/her iPhone during a meeting without pre-framing it with you that he/she is waiting for an emergency message is just rude! So, here are some tips:

1. Phones: don't answer them, check texts, or check emails, during a meeting, UNLESS you let the person know beforehand that there's an urgent message you're expecting.

TURN THE RINGER OFF, possibly the whole phone if you're on set. You never know how an incoming call/email/text is going to effect equipment during a take.

2. Texting while on set: do it on a break whenever possible. I know you're always looking for the next job, however you want to be careful that you're not perceived as bored or self-absorbed, so try to do it out of eyesight.

3. Email response: you don't have to respond to everyone especially if they haven't given you a reason to respond. If you do plan to get back to them, the sooner the better. And if you can't get back to them as quickly as you'd like, apologize for the lag time. When I had less than 20 clients, I had a 24 hour rule. Now, I couldn't possibly get back to everyone who emails me within 24 hours--- so sorry, if you're still waiting. I do tell clients that if it's a time sensitive issue, to write that in the subject line.

A great tip I read is: think of your technological devices as "crossword puzzles." Anywhere it's acceptable to pull out and work on a crossword puzzle, is okay to use your device.

If you have more specific issues you want addressed, put it in my comments and I'll write about it.

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...