entertainment industry coach question 622:Do you put your theatrical and your commercial headshots on a postcard or keep them separate?

Because theatrical and commercial casting directors are completely different, your postcards should be completely different. There's a reason why you have different headshots- because you're marketing yourself differently. You want to look a certain way when submitting for Criminal Minds or Law & Order Los Angeles. Don't confuse them by sending them a happy, bright-eyed, smiley picture, when they want you to play a killer.

This is just my personal opinion, and if you asked 20 Casting Directors, you may get 10 who say they don't care, but you may not. Perhaps it's a good reason to call different casting agencies and poll them. You don't have to use your name, just play the "new kid in town" card and ask them what their opinion on the matter is. You will probably get the Casting Assistant on the phone. Note that the CA is the person who gets your postcard first, so is the perfect person to ask.

www.theGreenlightCoach.com FIND ME

www.twitter.com/GreenlightCoach FOLLOW ME

www.TheGreenlightMentorProgram.com JOIN ME

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.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 564: Every time I take my daughter to a commercial audition we both book it. Should I get her an agent?

If you want to. Do you want your daughter to go on auditions for herself? Does she enjoy it or does she enjoy it because she's doing it with you? If you're asking if it will be easy to get her an agent, with her working track record, she definitely has an advantage.

www.theGreenlightCoach.com FIND ME

www.twitter.com/GreenlightCoach FOLLOW ME

www.TheGreenlightMentorProgram.com JOIN 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!

entertainment industry coach Question 428: I'm a mom and I wonder if it's unprofessional to bring my baby to commercial auditions?

I know of a few babies who have lofty college funds because their moms took them along on an audition and the mother and baby both got cast.

If you audition a lot commercially and you're in the "mom-range" I'm sure you see babies all the time. But since you're asking this question, I'm guessing you don't audition a lot and you're afraid to put yourself out there because now you have a baby.

The best solution is to find a friend who can come with you and take care of the baby while you're in the room. This way if the baby gets fussy, your friend can go for a walk outside of the casting office. BUT, just in case they're looking for a mother/baby team, it could be a great opportunity having your baby there. And you'll certainly feel a lot more comfortable auditioning with your own child than a strange baby.

Disclaimer: If you do not have a friend who can come with you, it would not be professional to tote your baby into your audition- especially, unannounced. Nothing worse than improving with a guy who's supposed to be your husband and you're deciding if it's time to start a family and your baby in the corner starts crying.

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!

question 195: I'm in school and want to know if I have to specialize in film or commercials?

There was a time that people specialized in one area (TV, Film, Commercials, Docs, Industrials, Sports, etc), but now people can move from genre to genre with more ease than in the past. That said, if you have a long term goal, you want to start setting yourself up for that now. If in 20 years, you see yourself in feature films, start building your resume, reel, and contacts in that area.

Many people have worried about getting "stuck" in one area. I say, get known in one area and once you're well known it will be easier for you to move around. People who try to do a little of everything and never make a name for themselves in any area, have a tougher time maintaining a long term, rewarding career.

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

Question 104: When is the best time of year to switch agents? Part 2

Part two pre-supposes that you've read part one and determined that you do, in fact, believe switching agents is the best choice for you. Therefore, here's some information on how to go about it:

Research your market and the hiring seasons.

For example, while pilot season is not what it used to be, an actor looking for representation from January - March is not recognizing that agents are working to get their current clients on pilots. Pilot season ends around April, and while agents are waiting to hear what pilots will be picked up at the upfronts in May, they are also letting go of clients who didn't do well during pilot season. This could be a good time to get meetings.

After the upfronts in May, writers get hired, as do crew. Pilots that were picked up may be looking to re-cast series regulars. Once episodic season gets going, co-stars, guest stars, and recurring roles are cast regularly. Directors get hired on shows that don't have an exclusive director, and day-playing jobs become available for crew members.

Films shoot all year round. Production reports list films in different stages of development. One way to meet film agents is to attend film festivals where they are searching for talent.

Commercials and Music Videos also shoot all year long and agents know it's a numbers game. Therefore, referrals and buzz campaigns are the best way to get to commercial/MV agents.

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

Question 60: Which industry (film, television, commercial) would you say is easiest to get work in?

They are all equally as easy and as difficult to get in to.  Did that sound like Yoda? No, I'm not trying to do a Jedi mindtrick on you. The business tools and strategies for breaking into each area, are the same. The people and companies you target are different. 

The quantity and quality of your business relationships in each area will determine your fastest path to work. Here's how to determine where you're starting out:

1. Make 3 lists, one for each area

2. On each list, write down who you know 

3. Next to each person write a number 1-5 based on how well you know them

4. Circle in green, each person who can potentially hire you

If you don't know anyone and you're starting from scratch, decide which area you are most passionate about and target people who work in that area.

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