entertainment industry coach question 551:How do I build a filmmaker community in my small city?

If you build it, they will come. First, create a mission statement for your group. This way, people will see "who, what, and why" you are. Next, start a MeetUp group, and/or use social media to find people in your area.

Have a plan for your group and create agendas so your group will feel confident in your abilities.

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entertainment industry coach Question 492: when asking questions of filmmakers at screenings, what's a smart way 2 get their contact info to follow up

If you know who's going to be at the Q&A beforehand, do your research and see if you can find their contact info before. If you can't find it or don't know who's going to be there, then DO NOT ask in front of the whole room. Instead, after, if they stay to meet and greet, thank them for answering your question, tell them you plan to implement their advice and then ask if their contact information is listed on their Guild's website because you'd like to follow up with them about your results or to contact them if you have questions in the future. If they say no, (that it's not listed at the Guild), have a notepad ready, perhaps they'll see it and offer up contact information or you may have to ask if it's okay to follow up and ask how they'd like to be contacted.

Be as discreet as possible so people around you don't start asking for the same information, putting the person in an uncomfortable situation.

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entertainment industry coach Question 436: I've heard of the SAG Film Society. Is there any reason to join?

You have to be a SAG member in good standing, and if you are, then there are many great reasons to join.

1. You get to see at least one movie every other week and bring a guest for $90. If you do the math and factor in that some weekends are double features, during voting season they have TONS of bonus movies, and if you're in the society many movie theaters allow you to see SAG award nominated films for free, you'll see it's a great deal.

2. At some of the screenings they host Q&A sessions with the actors and filmmakers. This gives you numerous opportunities to maximize.

3. Because you can bring a guest, it gives you the opportunity to re-establish relationships as well as deepen relationships by inviting industry people to pre-releases and other blockbuster or art house films.

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entertainment industry coach question 380: What's the end credit title for person that posts & updates media to official, social & blog sites

I'm going to have to defer to my readers, because as of now, I'm not aware of an official "union" title for that. In the indie non-union world, anything goes. But I'm sure since it's becoming a big part of the marketing department there is a title out there somewhere. So, readers... please chime in and help a filmmaker (and a career coach) out on this one. Thanks!

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entertainment industry coach question 364: For filmmakers who distribute independently and do it as a national release, how much money do they raise

...on average for distribution an marketing costs?

This is a perfect example of a question you would ask a mentor. There are people out there who specialize in distribution and people out there who specialize in marketing. There are also people out there, to whom the questioner referred to, who have done this before.

Your job is to seek out the companies that independently raised their own marketing costs and have found a significant measure of national success.

Once you have a target list of these companies, you want to either seek out mentors within the company or request an informational interview. You will get different answers from different people and then you will find your average.

You can also post your question on Twitter & Facebook to see if people will share their experiences with you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 277: Why do so many stupid films get made and I can't get mine made?

Other than the Wayan Brothers and a few other who go after big money in the "stupid movie" category, I don't think most filmmakers or studios set out with the intention of making a stupid film.

If you haven't made a movie, it's a lot like baking a chocolate souffle. You have a recipe, yet so many things can go wrong if you're off by the slightest bit.

I'm not naive enough to think that everyone is passionate about every project they work on (I've heard many interviews where someone has bashed working on my favorite genre), but I don't believe anyone intentionally sets out to be the piece of the recipe that causes the souffle to flop.

Keep taking the steps to getting your movie made, and forgive those who've tried their best but cost you 90 to 120 minutes of your life that you'll never get back.

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

entertainment industry coach question 216: How do I make it as a filmmaker in NY?

The same way you make it anywhere else, including Los Angeles. The difference is, you have to work harder to find the entertainment community. When I lived in NY, I could be walking down the street next to an investment banker, an accountant, a magazine editor, a shoe designer, a PR person, a florist, a hotel manager, a taxi driver, and on and on...

In LA, you can be walking next to the same people BUT, the people are ALL 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. NY is big, and not revolving around the entertainment industry the way LA revolves around it.

So what that means for you, is that to be a filmmaker, you need to:

1. work on your craft

2. build your resume and reel

3. join entertainment industry networking groups

4. get mentors

Plenty of amazing filmmakers come out of NY, so take advantage of the fact that you are in a city where incredible talent is accessible.

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