entertainment industry coach question 263: What would be the best way to showcase my film with top studio executives?

The best way to showcase your film with top studio executives is to have a relationships with top studio execs. If you don't, understand that they don't have time to respond to all the people who wants to showcase their film. That's why they have development departments. The typical way, is to have an agent who represents the film submit it. Usually an associate will look at it first and then it will move up the ladder. If you have a great agent who has a great relationship with the exec, it may go to the exec directly. If you don't have an agent, perhaps an entertainment attorney. The bottom line is, there's a system of "not accepting unsolicited scripts/films" in place to protect you and the studio execs.

If you don't have a relationship with a studio exec, or an agent/attorney, another way is to get it into a highly accredited film festival, one where studio execs would attend, or at least have a representative from their office attending.

If it's not getting accepted into film festivals, get some feedback from qualified mentors. Once you get enough positive feedback, create a buzz campaign around it and then host your own screening.

These are just a few of the ways. Good luck!

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

entertainment industry coach question 262: How do you live off of freelance?

You recognize that being a freelancer is the equivalent of being an entrepreneur. You treat your business the same way any CEO of a company would treat his/her company. In addition, you recognize the nature of being a freelancer. That means that because work could potentially be feast or famine, you save for "rainy days."

What I personally encourage my clients to do, is:

CREATE MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME!

I once believed that if I spent even a week taking a vacation, that it would cost my entertainment career. It didn't. Nor did having a supplemental, full-time, income job for 11 years. People in our industry are so afraid to take the time to build an additional income stream. You can choose fear, or you can take a risk. With fear, you know you'll never get any supplemental or passive income streams going. With risk... you never know.

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

entertainment industry coach question 261: Are there scams I should be watching out for?

In an industry filled with people who desperately want to work, there is a higher risk of running into scam artists. Perhaps the community can chime in with some of their experiences. Personally, I have not experienced a scam, though I can certainly give you some things to look out for:

1. An agent or manager who tells you that you have to pay to be a client.

2. When someone insists that before they hire you, you must pay to have pictures or reels redone by the person they recommend.

3. Someone who guarantees they will get you work once you pay them.

Are you seeing a theme here? I know there have been some scams on Craig's list that escape me right now. When in doubt, check it out. Trust your instincts, be smart (don't put yourself in a dangerous situation), and decide how much you're willing to risk.

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

entertainment industry coach question 260: Who do I talk to about all of the changing camera technology?

I was just a moderator on a panel where this was the topic of discussion. You can reach out to:

1. people in the camera department
2. people at organizations such as the SOC.org (the panelists were all in the SOC)
3. people at the rental houses

The overall message from the panel I moderated, was: technology is changing constantly. It’s important to stay current on the changes. Mentors are willing to talk to you, rental house employees want to help you and educate you, and resources are available for you to stay current no matter how busy you are.

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

entertainment industry coach question 259: How many years do you have to be in the industry to be considered “experienced”?

I’m not sure why you’re asking me this question. I need more context. But for now, I’ll say, “Confidence can be more powerful than experience.” In other words, if you have enough experience to know how to do your skill or craft, confidence will get you a job over someone who’s been in the industry for 20 years and still doesn’t consider him/herself experienced “enough”.

Don’t get caught up in number of years. Our industry doesn’t have a rule book. Work on your skill/craft/art, educate yourself on the nature of our industry and the business side of the business, and finally, build your confidence.

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

entertainment industry coach question 258: I want to be a set massage therapist. How do I do that?

You must give ME 100 massages.

Okay, that’s not the real answer, but I sure wouldn’t mind it. I don’t think there’s a union for set massage therapists, but I’d check with IATSE, just to be sure.

All of the tools I share with other classifications who want to work on sets apply to you, too:

1. It’s who you know, so build relationships with people who work on sets and can get you on.
2. Market yourself, and create a “buzzy” hook, so you’ll be memorable.
3. Brush up on your interviewing skills.
4. Find other successes set masseuses and model them.
5. Network, network, network!

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

entertainment industry coach question 257: Is it better to be with a small agent in a big agency or an aggressive agent in a smaller agency?

Every situation is different. I would start by asking your current contacts who know you, your body of work, and your networking skills, for their opinions.

Remember, you are a product that an agent is selling, but they get +10% for a reason. That reason is because you are still 100% responsible for your success. An agent is a part of YOUR team. When choosing between agents, who feels like the best fit for your team? What do you value in an agent relationship? Who do the agents you’re meeting with have relationships with? What are your expectations of what an agent should be doing for you.

Once you’ve answered the above questions for yourself, you’ll have a clear idea of the conversations you will have with the agents you meet. Then it will be more about the agent/client relationship and less about the agency.

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

entertainment industry coach question 256: What is this FB group that everyone is joining about bringing work back to California?

The question continued: I live in San Francisco, does this still affect me?

ITS TIME TO SHOOT MOVIES AND TV IN CALIFORNIA AGAIN 2 !!!

Ed Gutentag started it, and yes, it affects you. Join the group and ask questions. This is working towards change at the grassroots level to bring film production back to California. They’ve already spoken to many California politicians and reporters. Get involved. It takes people to create change.

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

entertainment industry coach question 255: What do I do if I accepted a freebie and then just got a call for a paying gig that conflicts?

This is one of those decisions that is an A-list problem to have, yet a problem none-the-less. It is important to trust your gut/instincts on this. What do you think/feel is the right choice. Can you replace yourself on the freebie, giving a colleague an opportunity and helping the producers who brought you on?

Obviously, you’d like to take the paying gig, which is why you’re asking the question (or you would have simply turned it down). Weigh out the pros and cons of taking the paying gig and abandoning the freebie. Think short term AND long term.

If you do choose to pass on the freebie, do it professionally and use everything in your power to help them replace you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 254: How do I find someone to write a short film for me?

There are many different ways to find a writer. Here are a few suggestions:

1. If you know people who know writers, ask for a referral.
2. You can post an ad on Craig’s List, something along the lines of: looking for a writer for a short film in the _____ genre. [no pay or some pay]. Please send writing sample for this genre ONLY to: (your email address)
3. Research writer’s groups, websites, and associations and post the ad above
4. Post ad on twitter and Facebook
5. If you already know of a writer who wrote a short that you enjoyed, reach out to him/her

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

entertainment industry coach question 253: How do I decide between film schools?

Deciding on a film school is such a personal issue. Things like cost, location, and size preference may factor in. From the business perspective, consider things like:

1. Location distance from a production city

2. Name recognition

3. A strong alumni community

4. The teachers (are they currently in the business, ever worked in the business, etc.)

5. Industry internships

If you have specific questions, email me directly.

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