Question 117: Should I be on Twitter?

Jury is still out on this one. Depends on your objective. If it's to follow me, yes, because of the value I provide in my posts. Though even I haven't figured out the value of Tweeting. I just post it there and link it to my Facebook page where I do my social networking. There are some great marketing strategies that recognizable "names" are using. You can model them.

This is one of those blogs, that if anyone has had great career success using Twitter, I would love for you to write about it in the comment section.

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

question 116: How do I explain the lapse in dates on my resume?

REMOVE DATES! Most entertainment classification resumes only need the project name, who hired you directly, and the name of the production company.

Dates give people a reason to say no. Why? Because they see lapses in time or they see how old you are (because your first job was in '73 and they weren't born yet!).

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

question 115: What if I don't want to go to a networking event alone but I don't know anyone to go with?

You have to know someone, even if that someone isn't in the industry. Start there, so that you can meet 10 people at the first event you attend. Share with the new people you meet that you're looking for someone to attend events with.

If you literally don't know anyone (maybe you just moved to town) you're going to have to create a strategy for overcoming your fear, just for the first event, so you can meet a few people to start your contacts.

Because it's about "who you know and who knows you" it's essential that you get yourself out there.

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

Question 114: Why does my 12-year-old daughter's acting classes cost so much more than my 21-year-olds?

Supply and demand. There are so many acting schools for adults that to stay competitive, the market price stays relatively low. The more reputable classes tend to be slightly pricier.

For kids, however, there aren't as many schools. Plus, because parents are paying, the schools figure parents are willing to spend a lot of money on their little darlings.

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

Question 113: My parents have given me a deadline to make $ or they will stop supporting me. How can I speed up the process of getting work?

Ummm... well, if you plan to make a career in entertainment, you are going to have to support yourself during the ups and downs of being a freelancer. So, my first suggestion is to focus on your entertainment career AND a secondary source of income other than your parents. Just a suggestion...

How do you speed up the process?

1. You continue to master your craft

2. Create as many relationships as humanly possible

3. Seek out A-list mentors

4. Help others

5. Feel the fear and act in spite of it!

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

Question 112: What schools do you recommend?

Reputable ones. The ones with great alumni and that look good on your resume. There are so many schools that can teach you what you need to learn. That said, the only ones people looking at your resume are going to care about, are the ones they recognize.

When I first moved out here, I got an agent as a mentor. She gave me a list of the top 5 acting schools in town. Through the years after following her advice, casting directors have always commented on the reputable schools where I've trained.

If you have questions about what schools are reputable for your classification, call someone who reads resumes all the time and see if he/she would be willing to speak to you about it for a few minutes.

Note: some recognizable schools are: in Los Angeles (USC, AFI, UCLA, CAL ART, GROUNDLINGS, and more) NY, (NYU, SUNY Purchase, and more) and Chicago (The Second City...I know there are more that I'm not aware of). There are many recognizable film/theater departments at colleges in various states as well. If you have a school you'd like to add, put it in my comments. Thanks!

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

Question 111:How do I get on a show that I absolutely LOVE?

You target it hardcore! How?

1. Do a show breakdown (a list of every actor and crew member on the show). 

2. Send an email to everyone you know to see if anyone is connected to anyone working on the show.

3. Reach out to as many people on the show as you can- as mentors

4. Once you have a connection, get a set visit

5. Create relationships with as many people you meet as possible remembering they must know you, like you, and trust you, before you bring up wanting to work on the show

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

Question 111

Question 110: I am always amused when you say everyone needs to know directors. I'm a director. Who do I need to know to get work?

Everyone. See question June 18th. That said, you specifically need to know the people who hire you. That differs from medium and budget range.

Studio Films: By the time you're being hired for studio films, you'll already know the people you need to know.

Indie Films: Independent Producers, or anyone who will give you money to direct your own film.

Commercials: Commercial Production companies. Many big ones have in-house directors. Advertising Agency Execs.

Television: Executive Producers, Network executives, UPMs, Line Producers

And of course, get yourself some director mentors!

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

question 109: I have a new baby who's taking up a lot of my time. Should I admit this to people?

The person who asked this question is a woman, however, I want to go on record as saying that a male client asked this question recently, as well.  I'll give you the same answer I gave him...

Absolutely! Do you know how relatable you will suddenly be to every person who's a parent? This is a business of relationships. People don't want to talk business 24/7. They want to share in your joys both professionally and personally. Especially if the baby is taking up a lot of your time, people with kids will completely understand. People without kids can still imagine what you're going through.  The important thing to realize is that if people know you're out of touch because of a baby, they have a lot more respect for you than the person who's out of touch because he's sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring and work to fall into his lap. 

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

Question 108: How do I get an acting job on a TV show this fall?

I haven't gone to bed yet, so this still counts as Friday's blog.  Technicalities out of the way... on to the question. I like your specificity. You're focused on TV. I'm going to give you some tips. Usually, I don't say "don't" because if I tell you DON'T think about a purple elephant, what do you think about? However, when I use "don't" below, it's not an embedded command to do it, I'm saying "don't" because so many people "do" these things, that I'm using your language instead of "coaching language." If that was confusing, it's just because I'm blogging at 1 am.

Okay, here are some tips: 

1. Be union ready. Most shows are SAG or AFTRA.

2. Know your next step. If you have never worked on a tv show before, pursue co-stars/under 5 lines. If you have a long resume of co-stars, start pursuing guest stars, and so on.

3. Know your type. Don't market yourself against your type. Don't submit for roles you're not right for. Actors like to argue this point, reminding me of the exceptions. While I'm the first to agree that there are exceptions to every rule, if 200 actors submit for a part that they want to "break the type" for, it makes the Casting Director's job harder. It's the Casting Director's job to get creative with the exceptions. Concentrate on building relationships with CDs as opposed to making their job harder. 

4. Do your research. Know what shows hire your type and target them.  

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