entertainment industry coach question 594: How do people get to see movies at the DGA?

For those of you who don't know what the DGA is, it's the Directors Guild of America; the union that represents Directors, ADs and other classifications that fall under their jurisdiction. The DGA happens to have one of the best theaters in town (no surprise), but to see a movie there, you must be in an organization that is screening a movie there, invited by a member of an organization that is screening a movie there, or attending a film festival there. It is not a regular theater where you can just show up and pay.

Another good reason to reach out and create relationships with people. Some of the organizations that screen movies there in addition to DGA are: The SAG Film Society, The Cinematographers Guild and The Editors Guild.

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entertainment industry coach Question 490: how do I make the most of a trip to LA?

The question continued: "I'm trying to plan a trip to LA this summer to work on contacts and push the movie my production company made."

Most people plan a trip to LA, by figuring out how many airline points they have, where they're going to stay, and how much they have to save up to eat. Once they arrive, they try and figure out where to meet people.

Before you even consider the logistics of taking a trip LA, create a plan for your trip. Who do you want to meet? What companies do you want to screen your movie for? Have a target list. Once you have your target list, if you realize you have no idea how to get to any of the people or companies on the list, you have a lot more work to do before booking a trip.

If it's not necessary to you to be so specific about who you're meeting, at least research networking events and film festivals. If you can't fill your calendar with at least 5 events in a week, it's time to do more work before booking a trip.

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entertainment industry coach Question 483: How do I get invited to movie screenings?

There are different kinds of movie screenings:

1. Movie premiers- usually you have to have worked on the movie, know someone who's worked on the movie, or win a radio promotion contest.

2. Union screenings- you have to know a member of the union and ask to be his/her plus one.

3. Academy screenings- again, you have to know a member and be his/her plus one.

4. Networking organizations- join the organization that has screenings and you can trade plus ones with people at the Unions and the Academy. Or know a member of the organization and be his/her plus one.

5. Q&A screenings at theaters- usually you just have to know about them and buy a ticket.

6. Film festival screenings- you have to buy passes to the festivals or individual screenings.

If I didn't mention any you were thinking of in particular, let me know.

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entertainment industry coach question 263: What would be the best way to showcase my film with top studio executives?

The best way to showcase your film with top studio executives is to have a relationships with top studio execs. If you don't, understand that they don't have time to respond to all the people who wants to showcase their film. That's why they have development departments. The typical way, is to have an agent who represents the film submit it. Usually an associate will look at it first and then it will move up the ladder. If you have a great agent who has a great relationship with the exec, it may go to the exec directly. If you don't have an agent, perhaps an entertainment attorney. The bottom line is, there's a system of "not accepting unsolicited scripts/films" in place to protect you and the studio execs.

If you don't have a relationship with a studio exec, or an agent/attorney, another way is to get it into a highly accredited film festival, one where studio execs would attend, or at least have a representative from their office attending.

If it's not getting accepted into film festivals, get some feedback from qualified mentors. Once you get enough positive feedback, create a buzz campaign around it and then host your own screening.

These are just a few of the ways. Good luck!

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Question 142: How do I choose which film festivals are worth going to for networking purposes?

More importantly, what is your goal for networking at the film festivals? You see, once you know your goal, you'll know which festivals to target.

If your goal is to meet 10 new directors, it doesn't matter which festival you choose. Therefore, you can go to one that's closest to you, fits your budget, and/or is coming up soon.

If your goal is to meet 10 A-List directors, then you have to go to Sundance, Cannes, or Tribeca.

Most people go to a film festival and "fly by the seat of their pants," letting randomness determine who they meet, what screenings they go to, and if they'll get into a party.

You can create an entire strategy for a film festival that includes having 5 desired outcomes and the plan to see them come to fruition. Time is money. This is your valuable time. Use it wisely.

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

Question 61: If I make projects with friends or want to sell an idea for a script or project, how do I go about selling it to someone to produce?

I’m going to answer this in 2 parts because a finished project is different than an idea. 

 

Part 1: How do I sell a project I made with a group of friends?

There is no one way to do this.  Here are some ideas:

1.    Submit it to a festival (film festival for films, ITV.org for tv or webseries)

2.    Put it up on YouTube and create buzz

3.    Screen your project for decision makers

4.    Create a website and sell corporate advertising space

5.    Submit pitches for an article on your project to papers & magazines  

 

Part 2 How do I sell an idea for a script or project? Tomorrow...

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