Getting Jobs in Entertainment Question 933: How many hats can I wear at one time?

If you mean on one project, you can wear as many as you can handle. The challenge is to do every job well, and when you wear too many hats, the one hat that you want to "excel" at, may backfire on you.

When I've produced shows that I've acted in, I've never been able to do 100% of the work on my acting that I do when I'm just acting. It's no fun to produce a show in order to be seen as an actor and then have the end result be something that falls short of your true talent.

Now, if you mean in general, you can wear as many hats as you want in the industry, BUT and this is a big but, do not mix your "hats" on your marketing materials. It's one thing to be a writer/director, but an actor who writes should have separate business cards for each, as should a DP/Producer. When people start seeing a list of what you can do on your cards and resumes, they figure you're not a specialist in one area.

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entertainment industry coach question 752: Is it better to pursue multiple areas of entertainment or focus on just one?

That really depends on you, your talent, and your ability to manage your time. There are plenty of slashers ( / / / ) out there. People run into trouble when they become Jack of all trades, master of none. But look at how many talented people out there act, direct, write, produce, shoot, etc.

If they can do it, maybe you can too. Only you can tell if you are mastering the arts or spreading yourself too thin.

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entertainment industry coach question 747: What should someone who is 12 and wants to be an actress do?

Well, if you don't live in Los Angeles (which I can tell she does not), use your "kid power." What's kid power? Most people LOVE to help a kid with drive. Make a list of actresses, actors, directors, and producers that you would like to one day work with. For example: Steven Spielberg often talks about how he was directing movies in his back yard as a kid. Find people like him and reach out to people in a letter. Tell them how old you are and what you're doing now to pursue your dream. Tell them where you live and ask them for advice on what more you can be doing right now. If you plan to go to college, ask them for advice on which colleges to consider and what you can be doing now for extra curricular activities to help you get in. If you don't plan to pursue an acting career immediately, explain that you don't plan to pursue acting as a job until you're finished with your education, but in the mean time would like to build relationships with mentors so when you do move to NY or LA, you'll be ready and educated on the business side of the industry. If you do plan to start as soon as possible, that's what you want to ask advice about, what steps to take now.

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entertainment industry coach question 530:What happens to the people who get voted off reality shows?

There are so many reality shows, it's impossible to say what they're all doing. My gut is that you're asking me because you're considering doing one and want to use it as a career vehicle. There have been some reality contestants who've gone on to have successful acting careers. There are others who've literally made a career as reality stars. Still others have gone on to publish books and become speakers.

There are many positive things that can come from being on a reality show. I would suggest you have a clear vision for what you want your end result to be and make sure the show is in alignment with your values.

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entertainment industry coach Question 457: Does doing a web series help an out of work actor get more work?

Any opportunity you have to act and be around people who can see that you are directable and a joy to work with can lead to numerous opportunities including work.

Last year, a handful of web series were made into network shows. I haven't checked the background on this years pick ups, but you never know where a web series can lead.

It's also your job to maximize on the opportunity of working on a webisode. Meet the cast and crew, create relationships. This town is 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. You never know who they know. The young PA whose first job it is could be related to a series regular on a series who'd be willing to mentor you.

Acting is your work, so if you're on a web series you're working. Work leads to more work. And when people ask actors' most dreaded question, "what are you working on?" you'll have an answer that you can be passionate about.

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entertainment industry coach Question 432: There are so many classes in Los Angeles, how do I find the best?

This was asked by an actor who was writing about acting classes in Los Angeles. The answer, applies to any classification that offers classes to improve skills/art, in any location.

You can interview different teachers on your own, though many teachers are sales people as well, and can be very convincing that they are the best.

When I first moved to LA, I found myself some mentors, an agent, a working actress, and a casting director. I asked them which they felt were the top acting schools/teachers in LA. Based on their answer there were 4 schools that were on all three lists. I interviewed each and made my decision.

Choosing a good school/teacher is important to many casting directors when they look at your resume.

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

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entertainment industry coach Question 429:Is it possible to have a full time job and pursue a career in entertainment?

Is it possible? Of course. You definitely have to master the art of the 80/20 principle in that you want to be doing 20% of your work for your entertainment career and have 80% results coming from that focused work. I had a full time job for 11 years and wrote screenplays, auditioned, produced 1 pilot and 4 episodes of a television show, acted in projects, directed a short, and on and on.

It's about time management. When you get to the point that your entertainment career needs more time than your full time job permits, that's what I refer to as an A-list problem. Give me a call then and we'll work it out.

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entertainment industry coach Question 406: I’m doing a scene where someone shoots me. Can I get hurt?

I will never forget the horror I felt when I heard that the gorgeous young actor Jon-Erik Hexum was accidentally killed as a result of a firearms accident. However, that was a fluke. Is it possible? Obviously. But safety precautions have tightened up because of the tragedy. Ask the stunt coordinator or firearms wrangler questions. Don’t let it get in the way of your acting.

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entertainment industry coach question 373: How do I get an agent?

The exact question read: I have been acting for about 7 years(non-professional). A couple months ago, I auditioned for an agent and did not get it. I was just wondering how to improve my skills so that next time, I will get one.

I've given advice on getting agents before, so you may want to search the archives. However, what I will tell you are there are 3 different aspects to this question:

1. Do you need to improve your audition skills (auditioning is different than acting)?

2. Do you need to improve your interview skills to make you stand out in an agent's office?

3. After 7 years of non-professional acting, is it too soon for you to be pursuing an agent?

All of these questions are what you need to consider before you meet with another agent. The first, an acting coach can help you with, the later two are what I coach on.

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entertainment industry coach question 362: How can I meet Casting Directors?

This was a question asked of me last night at a networking event, by a very charming young man. Our conversation didn't start out about his acting, it started out regarding his book which became a best seller. It's subject matter, imitates what my favorite writer did 30 years ago, so I was instantly pulled into the conversation. As we got further into the discussion and he brought up acting, I asked him the first question I always ask, "how many people do you know in the entertainment industry." His answer was 300 (that's 100 more than the "sweet spot"). Now I knew something was missing. How can he know so many people and not be making any progress.

Naturally I asked him my next question, "how many casting directors do you know." He floundered for a moment then said, "one, sort of." AH HA! Mystery solved. So naturally he asked me how he was supposed to meet casting directors. I told him I'd answer him in my blog.

1. Ask the people you already know to give you referrals to the casting directors they know

2. Build relationships through casting director workshops (there's a whole strategy to this, but you have to coach with me... I can't give you all of my secrets for free)

3. Offer to do an internship in casting directors' offices

4. Attend networking events that involve casting directors

5. Join philanthropic organizations that casting directors are a part of

Yes, you have to do research for 4 & 5. Remember casting directors are people, treat them with respect and always look to create a win/win.

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

entertainment industry coach question 215: What books do you suggest for a beginner in the entertainment industry?

Obviously, my own And...Action! (you can buy it on Amazon or my site www.theGreenlightCoach.com). My book is about building the business side of your entertainment industry career.

And if you're looking for books on your craft, I suggest you go to Amazon and put in the keywords for what you want to do: directing films, screenwriting, acting, costume design, production design, script supervising.

There are books for everything and if there isn't, let me know and I'll have one of my people write one.

I feel that books are a very personal thing. I have my favorites for acting, writing, directing, producing, Hollywood biographies, etc., and if you really want to know what they are, I'll share them with you personally. Just email me. However, I think as a coach, it's my job to encourage you to seek out the authors who speak to you.

I do, on occasion, plug someone's book if I've thoroughly enjoyed it and feel it will help (and especially if I've met the author and think he/she is cool) Like: currently I'm reading "Think Outside the Box Office" by Jon Reiss. It's the "Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution and Marketing for the Digital Era." So if that's your thing and you want to support a cool guy I met at the DV Expo, check it out!

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com

Question 92: You've got your own business, do you ever think of just quitting the "biz"?

Are you asking because you're thinking about quitting the biz? I have quit...  3 times, and to quote Michael Corleone, "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in."  

Do I have days when I wonder what am I doing in this crazy business? Yes. Do I have days when I feel alone, frustrated, confused, and hopeless? Yes.  

And then I remember the first movie I did on location in Oregon, where I saw my first wild peacock, elk on the side of the road, failed at cattle wrangling, rode a horse even though I was told I wouldn't have to since it WASN'T on my special skills, AND I got to act ever day (but 4) for one whole month.   

And then I remember starring in a sitcom pilot where a Camera Operator from Mad About You, told me we'd never get the whole pilot shot in ten hours. He was right... we shot it in 8. He was shocked, all of the actors knew our lines.

And then I remember a reality show from MTV following around a television show I was on and being on a treadmill at the gym and seeing myself on MTV and having the guy next to me stare at the TV and then look at me and then back at the TV and then back at me.

I love acting, I love writing, I love being on set with creative people, I love watching the finished product, and I love the memories that pull me out of the down times. 

Create your own memories, and cherish them. This industry isn't for everyone, but if you want to stick with it and presently it's hurting your soul, tap into the memories of why you love it, then imagine it's five years from now and you're doing what you love. Really immerse yourself in the visualization; the sights, sounds, scents, tastes, feelings. Those feelings are are just as real in your body as the sad, lonely, rejected feelings. The difference is your choice of what you focus on. 

I'm going to go visualize the web-series I've been acting in becoming a network show... happy thoughts to you all...

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 21: Should I stick to one thing (directing/acting/camera) or diversify?

That depends: how good are you at the different things you want to do?  

These days people are wearing many hats or using many /s.  I think it's great.  I do it myself. The important business question is: 

How are you marketing yourself?

The big mistake I see people make, is putting everything on one resume: editing, camera operating, background artist.  It's one thing to market yourself as a DP who operates, or a writer/director, it's another thing to be "Jack of all trades." People want to know that the person they are hiring is an expert at what he/she does.

I suggest you have separate resumes, websites, business cards, and reels.  If a situation arises, such as a LOW budget film, and they want a director who can also shoot and edit, then put together a package that shows you can do it (if you can deliver).  

Remember to trust your gut about whom you're sharing what, with.  Some old school people don't appreciate those who haven't worked their way up through the ranks. And some traditionalists prefer someone who they believe is passionate about one thing.  

Personally, I LOVE being, Jessica Sitomer, actress/writer/producer/author/speaker/career-coach/blogger/dog owner/chocolate lover/Jiu-Jitsu white belt (with 1 stripe)/"24" fanatic

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