entertainment industry coach question 670: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.

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entertainment industry coach question 593:Why do some shows like Lone Star get cancelled so fast?

That would be a great question for Fox. Personally, I was enjoying it (which as my loyal readers know is the kiss of death- although No Ordinary Family got a few more episodes ordered yay!).

Look, it's about ratings/money. Bottom line. Things have changed. If networks were axing shows like they do now back when Seinfeld and Friends were on, they would have been axed in the first season.

If you're asking for personal reasons like Jimmy is cute (I told him he looks like a younger, cuter George Clooney and he acted like he'd never heard it before, did I mention humble and sweet?) then I really can't give you a good answer. But if you have a serious interest in the networks and how and why they make the decisions they do, then I suggest you seek out mentors in that area.

I also get a lot of "political" insight from my writer friends, but it's different for every show.

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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 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 264: Can you always move up within your department?

If you're asking me if it's possible to move up in classification (camera assistant to camera operator, assistant editor to editor, AD to director, background performer to co-star, writers assistant to staff writer), the answer is YES, it is possible.

That said, you must be strategic about making the move. People who stop their "bread and butter" income classification cold turkey, when they don't have enough contacts to hire them as the next classification, spend anywhere from 2-5 years minimum trying to build the trust with people who can hire them.

Have a plan for making the move up, and if you need help, that's what I'm here for.

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