entertainment industry coach Question 402: How do I get in with a “tight” crew?

You create relationships with all of them in a non-threatening way. You DON’T ask for work, and as time goes by and they get to know you, like you, and trust you, the possibility of them offering you a day playing job will increase. A good strategy is to target multiple crews instead of focusing on just one. Also target crews that work on bigger productions and need more people on certain shoot days.

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entertainment industry coach question 352: How am I supposed to keep up with all the TV shows when they get cancelled so fast?

Actors are told to know ALL the shows because they need to know the tone when they audition (this was sent to me by an actor). Every classification that works in television needs to keep up with the shows so that you know the tone, the crew, the genre, etc.

How do you keep up? Bottom line is, if you watched every show you'd have no time to pursue a career. Watch the pilots. That will give you a pretty clear idea of the show. Don't get too caught up with keeping detailed notes on everything. Target 20 shows to begin with and if 2 get cancelled, add 2 more.

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

entertainment industry coach question 338:What's a great method an A.D. can use to quiet a crew on set that gets to talking between takes of scenes?

I've never worked as an A.D. so maybe those of you who read this who are A.D.s can chime in (add to the comment section)

I have worked as a producer, and I've also worked on sets for A.D.s as talent. My personal feeling is you get better results by being a morale raiser than a ball buster.

Therefore, when you get the opportunity, call a quick meeting and tell everyone what a great job they're doing and how pleased you are to have such a great crew. Then tell them, one of the best ways to get more work is by creating strong relationships and the best way to do that is by making a good impression on people who can hire you again and refer you to other jobs.

Let them know that by talking in between shots, it could give the impression to the "higher-ups" that they're not focused, not taking the job seriously, or are just unprofessional. Suggest that they stay focused during the hours of the shoot and then, hang out and have fun with each other after the day is wrapped.

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

entertainment industry coach question 309: When does pilot season start?

I assume you're asking this question because you want to get work during pilot season. My concern is, if you don't know when pilot season starts, are you connected enough to get a job during pilot season or is that not the next step for you?

Pilots are usually staffed and cast with the top dogs, the bankable people. This is understandable, because it's going to make or break whether the show gets picked up. So if you are not already in with the "in-crowd," it is pretty challenging to get a job during pilot season.

My advice would be to focus on the relationships you need to create between now and May. That's when the upfronts are (when shows get picked up). Once a show is picked up the production company and studios start to staff writers and crew. Once the scripts are written casting begins.

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

entertainment industry coach question 290:How about if I just want to reach out to someone I worked with temporarily?

The full comment on yesterday's blog read: "How about if I just want to reach out to someone I worked with temporarily and it had nothing to do with anyone else getting me the job? I just got called in to day play."

You should absolutely stay in touch with crews who call you in to day play. Always make sure you ask for a call sheet so you know everyone's name. Again, now is the perfect time to reach out and wish them a happy holiday. They are most likely on hiatus, so clearly you're not asking for work, you're simply reconnecting.

Usually with this question, there's the "unspoken" fear of not wanting to appear like you are trying to take someone else's job. If you are at the point in your career, where you need to build up credits as a day player, then make it really clear (in the future not in the holiday card) that you enjoy being their go to guy/girl when they need someone to fill in.

If you're at the point where you have 100 dayplaying credits and you're ready for a full hire, then target crews who are working on hit shows where the exec producer will most likely get a spinoff or another show, and therefore will need an additional crew. For features, target crews that work on big budget films with MANY additional cameras.

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

entertainment industry coach question 225: how do I manage a crew that was given to me not chosen & resent that I'm here?

Well, that doesn't sound like a fun situation, however, I always say, "Acknowledge the purple elephant in the room." Call a crew meeting to discuss the obvious situation; you were forced on them. Then, hit them where it counts the most- their livelihood. In a professional way, explain that it may not be the situation they desired, but it's the situation they've been given. So they have two choices:

1. They can all keep acting the same way, and no one will have a good experience

OR

2. They can view this as an opportunity. They should remember, that whomever is normally in your place, may not always be working (this being case and point), therefore, if this should prove to be an enjoyable work situation, it may prove in the long run to mean more work and opportunities for them. Why? Because, you will have the opportunity to hire them again as well as pass on recommendations for them to your colleagues, who have opportunities for them.

One of the biggest mistakes crew people make, is being loyal to a fault. I'm all for loyalty, in fact, I demand it, but if they were SO loyal, they should have left when their "person" was fired or not brought on. They chose to stay, so now they have an opportunity to expand their relationship with you and your people.

Their choice: lemonade out of lemons or moldy lemons.

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

Question 80: My 2 shows have been cancelled and I feel like I'm abandoning my "family" if I take a job with a new crew. Should I just wait?

The question continues: Should I just wait to see if we get another show?

Another question that I can't answer for you. What I will do, is give you some things to think about:

1. How would you feel if someone from your "crew family," who like you, was unsure of the future, decided to take a job in order to support his/her family, accrue hours to maintain health benefits, and be able to continue working? 

2. Do you consider putting all of your eggs in one basket, prudent? What if the person who hires you retires, leaves the business, or stops getting hired? Can you see benefits to working with multiple crews and expanding your "family?"

3. If you accepted a job and then your "crew family" got another show, would the feelings that would bring up for you, outweigh the feelings of being out of work because you waited and they didn't get a show? 

4. Remember, as your network expands, so does your crew family's.

This is a tough decision because you do create "crew family bonds," sometimes stronger than the ones with your actual family. Personally, I am always happy for my "crew family members' successes." I never take it personally when they have to move on to keep growing. I've seen too many people put their eggs in one basket to ever make that mistake myself, though I do have a core group of people that if I had a choice, I would work with for the rest of my life.  This industry is as unpredictable as life though, and it's times like these when you must choose.

Communication is key, as is trusting your instincts, and maintaining your integrity.   

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit:

www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com