entertainment industry coach question 663:why do so many people ignore my friend requests on Facebook?

Facebook is used by different people for different reasons. I personally use Facebook for getting back in touch with friends and family whom I wouldn't otherwise be in touch with and to help people in the entertainment industry.

When I get a friend request from a friend or family member, accepting their request is a no-brainer. But here's were it gets tricky (and I've changed the way I approach new friends because of it). When I get a friend request from someone who doesn't send a message and we have a no friends in common (or maybe even a few), I immediately look them up to see if they are in the industry. If they are, I accept the friend request. Many people, however, have privacy settings, so I can't see any information about them. I ignore those. The bottom line is, my Facebook page is open to the public, so they can read my blogs and get my information. If they want to be my friend, I want to know why.

For me, it's not a race to see who can have the most friends. If a stranger wants to friend me I want to know why. In the past year, I've sent friend requests to many camera people whose names I've known from the Guild. I knew I had value to offer them as a friend because I blog every day. Still, because I didn't send a message, a few wrote to me before accepting and asked who I was and how I knew them. When I told them I knew their name for years because I worked at the Guild, it put their mind at ease, and they accepted.

If you want more people to consider your requests, I suggest sending a message as to why you want to be their friend. It could say something like, "we have mutual friends in the business and it's always nice to meet like-minded people," or, "I work as a ____ and you are a ____, I enjoy connecting my friends when opportunities present themselves."

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

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entertainment industry coach Question 394: What is golden time and why are some people against it?

Golden time means you’ve been working waaaaaaaaay over time and the production has to pay you lots of money. Some people are against it because they are sacrificing their health, time with family, and in tragic cases their lives, due to excessive hours and lack of sleep. This is a very serious subject for me because my first day of work at the Cinematographers Guild, a camera assistant fell asleep at the wheel and lost his life leaving behind his wife and young children. Google "Brent’s Rules" to find out more about the subject. Making lots of money is great, but you have to know your limits and know when you’re too tired to drive home.

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 www.TheGreenlightCoach.com and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

entertainment industry coach question 301:why do so many people ignore my friend requests on Facebook?

Facebook is used by different people for different reasons. I personally use Facebook for getting back in touch with friends and family whom I wouldn't otherwise be in touch with and to help people in the entertainment industry.

When I get a friend request from a friend or family member, accepting their request is a no-brainer. But here's were it gets tricky (and I've changed the way I'll be approaching new friends in 2010 because of it). When I get a friend request from someone who doesn't send a message and we have a no friends in common (or maybe even a few), I immediately look them up to see if they are in the industry. If they are, I accept the friend request. Many people, however, have privacy settings, so I can't see any information about them. I ignore those. The bottom line is, my Facebook page is open to the public, so they can read my blogs and get my information. If they want to be my friend, I want to know why.

For me, it's not a race to see who can have the most friends. If a stranger wants to friend me I want to know why. In the past year, I've sent friend requests to many camera people whose names I've known from the Guild. I knew I had value to offer them as a friend because I blog every day. Still, because I didn't send a message, a few wrote to me before accepting and asked who I was and how I knew them. When I told them I knew their name for years because I worked at the Guild, it put their mind at ease, and they accepted.

If you want more people to consider your requests, I suggest sending a message as to why you want to be their friend. It could say something like, "we have mutual friends in the business and it's always nice to meet like-minded people," or, "I work as a ____ and you are a ____, I enjoy connecting my friends when opportunities present themselves."

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

entertainment industry coach question 220: how does a film student in India get training/internship from US DPs?

Because you're a cinematography student in India, I would suggest that before you reach out to get an internship/training with a "famous" DP, as you put it, you reach out to them for advice and guidance. Here's how you do that:

1. Make a list of questions for DPs that you want to learn from. For example:

What should I do to get the most out of film school?

What do I need to know about getting an internship in the United States?

What can you tell me about the business side of the business?

What are the questions I should be asking and don't even realize it yet?

2. Make a target list of the DPs you would want to answer these questions.

3. See if they are on Facebook and research how you can contact them (one way is through the Cinematographers Guild).

4. Once you know you have a way to reach them, write them a letter telling them about yourself, requesting a business mentorship where you can contact them by email 3 times to ask them questions about how to get the most out of film school and prepare for your future career. Include that you will follow up with them (if you have contact information), or that you don't have anyway to follow up with them but how they can reach you by email.

5. Mail the letter, and follow up.

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

Question 66: Is Facebook a good place to network?

This is a question that came up at a networking breakfast I attended yesterday, and the speaker steered the participant in another direction. 

In the famous words of Ron Burgundy AKA Anchorman  "AGREE TO DISAGREE!"

I think Facebook is a GREAT resource for networking ESPECIALLY for all of you shy people out there who hate going to networking events.

Here are just a few reasons to use Facebook for networking: 

1. Helping your social network:

- A client needed a DP to shoot his short film, starring recognizable talent. I posted it on my status, and he received more than enough responses, set up interviews with some, and hired his DP.

- A Camera Operator needed a Camera Assistant ASAP. I posted it on my status. The job was filled within minutes.

2. Creating deeper relationships with people:

Facebook gives you the opportunity to post about work/business, while also allowing them access to your personal life. Post photos of your family, pets, hobbies, etc. so people can learn what you have in common. 

They also get a sense of your personality. By reading your status updates, they will see if you have like-minded interests, similar sense of humor, share a love for Jack Bauer, etc.

3. Overcoming the distance obstacle:

If you don't live in Hollywood, you don't get to be in people's faces as much as necessary. This allows you to be a part of people's lives, wherever you live. 

4. Meeting people you want to know:

I "friended" a large number of Camera Operators who had mutual friends. I'd known their names, from my years of being the Career Coach at The Cinematographers Guild, but I'd never met them. This year, at the SOC Awards, I met them in person, recognizing them from their Facebook pictures, and walking over saying, "Hey, Facebook Friend!"    

I say GO FOR IT! 

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