entertainment industry coach Question 479: What is the difference between networking and schmoozing?

Technically, the difference is the meaning you choose to put on the words. But because I'm a coach who loves doing seminars on successful networking, my two cents are:

While reality TV and scripted TV are both types of television, they are completely different genres.

Similarly, schmoozing and networking are both ways to meet people, they are simply two different "attitudes". Networking is a professional attitude whereas schmoozing can be interpreted as either playful or sleazy depending on the person doing the schmoozing and his or her intention.

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entertainment industry coach Question 423:Is choosing a medium like choosing a major; once you're in it you're stuck with it?

What this person asked in more detail was if he were to start his career in reality TV since it's easiest with his connections to break into the medium, if that's his best place to start. Ironically he compared it to being stuck in a major. The irony being, that once you choose a major you can either switch majors, double major, and even graduate with that major and go into a career having nothing to do with the major.

It's the same thing with a medium. From what many seasoned mentors have told me, it wasn't always that way, but in the last decade we've seen a lot of classifications moving from TV to film to commercials and back again.

What you have to ask yourself is, if you start in Reality TV and your goal is to be in another medium (such as scripted television), how long are you willing to wait to achieve that goal? I ask because each medium has different relationships to be created. Therefore, while working the long hours and possible distant locations of Reality TV, you must also be building your contacts and deepening relationships with people working in scripted television.

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Question 125: What is the best way to overcome the notion people have regarding reality vs scripted vs documentary to further my career path?

Perception is everything. Know what people's "preconceived notions" are, and have a new perception ready to throw at them.

Create a list of people who have transitioned from reality to scripted, etc. In other words, arm yourself with information, and avoid buying into their stories.

Be confident, persuasive, and ready to prove why you are qualified to work in the medium of your choice.

And of course, when in doubt, find mentors who have successfully made the transition you want to make and find out how they did it.

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

Question 123: How can I find out what it's like to work in scripted to make sure it's everything I hope it will be?

Great question. It's always a good idea to research the market you want to transition into before putting all of your effort into it. Here are my suggestions:

1. Get 10-15 mentors in your classification to discuss their original expectations of scripted television and how and if they've been met.

2. Get 10 mentors in other classifications who work in scripted television to discuss their experience. Ask them about the hours, the politics and political hierarchy, and the balance of work and personal life.

3. Visit, in your case, edit bays. Other classifications would visit the set or the writers room depending on what area of scripted television they are researching.

Communicate your expectations and get feedback. Notice I suggested 10-15 people. This is not a random number. If you ask 1 person and they discourage you, it's important to have other people lined up to speak to. You will get varying opinions and it's important to hear from a variety of people so you can make an educated decision.

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