entertainment industry coach question 316: How do I balance my life and career work based on your blog yesterday?

My blog yesterday, was about treating your freelancing career like a business. That stated working at least 20 hours per week on your career even when you're not "working at your craft." Keep in mind, in the business world, 20 hours is considered part-time.

In answer to your question about balance though, what do you consider balanced? If I drew I pie graph and had you put slices in the pie like: Work/Career, Finances, Family, Friends, Charity, Spirituality, Personal Growth, Fun/Pampering, Health, etc. Then I asked you to fill in each piece of the pie rating it from 1-10, what would your pie look like?

Most people think that to be balanced, the pie needs to be equal; everything at an "8." Not true. It's what balance means to you. If you want to spend 3 days each week in the gym and you're going twice a month- you're out of balance. If you value your friends and family but are spending all of your time at work and barely make time for a phone call let alone seeing them in person- you're out of balance.

To determine how to balance your life and career, ask yourself what's important to you, and how you want to spend your time. Then map it out and see if your definition of balance is in alignment with your goals. In other words, if you want major career success but want to spend 10 hours a day playing with your kids, perhaps you should watch the movie Daddy Day Care and go into a new line of work.

When you are looking at balancing your life, what you value shows up. There are a lot of sacrifices that people in the entertainment industry are forced to make due to erratic schedules, working on location, long hours... I could go on and on. However, it's one of the rare industries that when people are working they are living their passion, they are truly fulfilled. So if you don't feel that way, this may not be the industry for you. If that is how you feel, and you can't imagine doing anything else, then balance means, budgeting your time so that you can generate work for yourself, and then maximizing the experience of everything else on your list.

For clients I've had tell me their kids miss them when they're away, I tell them to do everything in the power, to create special memories when they do have time to spend with them. That could have more impact on their children, then the parents who work 9-5 jobs every day and then come home tired and blow their kids off.

I could go on and on about this topic, so if you want more, just let me know what you want to hear about specifically and I'll blog about it.

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

entertainment industry coach question 315:All my friends are on 9-5 schedules, how do I delegate my time as a freelancer?

Many people who work as freelancers in the entertainment industry have trouble maintaining motivation when they're not working on a project, because they're not accountable to anyone. Your friends who have 9-5 schedules, are accountable to someone and don't get paid unless they work those hours and are productive during them.

As a freelancer you have to recognize that you do have a daily work schedule. In fact, you may have to work more than just 9-5 in the beginning to have the career you desire. And by "beginning," I don't mean the beginning of your career. Many of you have been at this for 10+ years. I mean the beginning of when you start treating yourself like the CEO of YOUR company.

Here are a few tips to start the process:

1. If you are self motivated, set a time to wake up in the morning and "go to work." That requires having a designated space in your residence, for an office. Set your lunch hour, give yourself two 15-minute breaks, and know what time your day ends.

note: If your friends ask you to do favors for you because they know you're "not working," now is the time to start setting boundaries. Just because you work from home doesn't mean your work isn't equally as important as theirs.

2. If you aren't productive at home because there are too many distractions, find a place with free wi-fi and go there at least 4 days a week for at least 5 hours.

3. If you are not self-motivated, find a partner or a group of freelancers, who would like to be productive and meet 4 days a week for at least 5 hours. A group works well for this because then if someone has to miss a day you can't skip out like you can with a single partner. You can take turns at each other's houses or meet at the place with free wi-fi.

If you are not working at least 20 hours/week on your entertainment career, you are not being competitive and therefore, are losing out on jobs to the people who are getting themselves out there the right way.

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

entertainment industry coach question 314:Is it a good idea to produce corporate videos on the side while pursing my dream?

And his question continues, "or do something less demanding on my time?" Here is the advice I give EVERYONE who is making a transition with few or no contacts in the area they are transitioning to. (I'm assuming you have few or no contacts or you'd already be making the move). Keep your "money making" job!

After coaching over 1000 people 1 on 1, the average person takes 2-5 years to make a transition. The reason is because it takes that long to create relationships with people who know, like, and trust you, and are willing to give you a break. Once you get that break you have to maintain the work momentum. This takes time.

There are tools, mindsets, and strategies for building your "business," (and that is what it is), that like any business, take time to develop. As you learn them and take them step by step, you'll realize that it's very manageable to have a time consuming day job while building relationships in the area you want to transition to.

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

entertainment industry coach question 313:What should my next step be from corp videos to producing TV, Film, and Docs?

The next step will have to do with researching the market. As you can see by the complete question below, it comes from someone in England... Liverpool to be exact.

"I've been spending the last 5 years producing corporate videos for non profit orgs. But my dream is to produce either documentaries or dramas and work in TV or Film. What should my next step be? As my showreel is mostly corporate videos"

As a coach, my job isn't to know the market in England or anywhere else. I happen to know it in Los Angeles because that's where I live and work. I have a pretty good idea of it in other larger production cities in the US, because I've either done seminars there, or have clients who work there.

My job is to give you universal tools, so here's the next steps for you, no matter where you live:

1. Research the market; who is doing what you want to do successfully?

2. Research the people; who are the people who've transitioned from Corporate Video to TV, Film and Docs?

3. Start building a reel of narrative work. As someone who wants to produce, seek out projects that you believe in.

4. GET MENTORS!!!!

5. Join entertainment organizations for filmmakers, for TV, and for documentary, and start establishing new relationships. Each medium has different "players" and you need to know them.

Even if you had no background in corporate video, and wanted to break in, these are the steps you would take. You have an advantage because of your background so use that in your conversations. Know what your background brings as an advantage for producing the type of work that interests you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 312:I'm obsessed with to-do lists and get very frustrated when I don't get stuff done. Any suggestions?

Oooooo, a to-do list person. Welcome to my world. I know, you LOVE checking things off. I used to, now because my to-do list is on a computer, I make them pretty colors when they're done. DONE, I love that word. But unfortunately, we to-do list types know... it's never done. Once we check off or color in with pretty colors, our minds start racing for new "to-dos."

Here's 2 suggestions, one from me, the other from one of my mentors:

From me: Make your list fluid. Whatever doesn't get done that day moves to the next and then the next, with NO guilt attached. Prioritize your to-dos, so the most important ones do get done on time and then have the others as reminders, and things to give you comfort, because we to-doers get comfort knowing we have things to do. (perhaps a psychologist would like to chime in right about now)

The second, from one of my mentors, James Malinchak: Put 3 (that's it) 3 to-do actions on a post it. Do them, then crumple up the post it, throw it in the garbage, and move on with your day.

Obsession, as you put it, can lead to sleep trouble, unnecessary stress, and psychological burdens that you just don't need, because really, for most of your to-dos you have "imaginary deadlines." So, make a commitment as this new year starts, to go easy on yourself. Everything that needs to get done will. See how you can do it with ease. And I'd love to hear feedback from you on how it's working out in a few months.

Good luck!

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

entertainment industry coach question 311: Is it appropriate to have your dog on set?

I sure hope so, because I have two camera hogs. One (the Saint Bernard)of which is leaning on my computer right now, hoping the little camera is on.

But, back to reality. Is it appropriate? I met Felicity Huffman's Bernese Mountain Dog, on the set of Sports Night. Of course she was the star. Every set is different, and let's face it, cute little pups can turn into major distractions.

If you're asking because you think it's inappropriate, unless you're in charge, probably best to focus on your job. If that's hard to do because the little love is peeing on your equipment, tell your direct supervisor.

If you're dayplaying or a guest star, don't risk it.

When in doubt, ask.

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

entertainment industry coach question 310: How do you pitch an idea?

I asked him to be more specific and he shared that it is a reality show idea that he wants to pitch to a specific television network. This could almost be two questions:

1. How to create a pitch

or

2. How to get in the door to pitch

I'll focus on 2, because you can google "how to create a pitch," or buy a book on it. It's a skill/art that is too long for a blog post.

So how do you get in the door to pitch your idea to a network. There are so many ways. Here are a sampling:

1. Get a literary agent or manager to represent the project and set up the pitch meeting for you. **You may need to have connections to get you a meeting with an agent or manager. If you don't, you'll have to pitch yourself on the phone and convince them that you have a truly unique idea.

[aside- speaking of truly unique ideas, protect yourself. Register your treatment with the WGA]

2. Attach yourself to someone who already has a track record. There are many smaller reality show production companies out there with established track records who can get in the door at networks. **from #1 applies here too.

3. Reach out to everyone you know and ask if they have connections to anyone at the network you are interested in. Even if it's someone in the mailroom, establish a relationships and then let him/her steer you to the right people.

4. Go to the website or call the development department to see what the submission policy is for a synopsis. Some companies won't look at your proposal unless it's submitted through an agent, manager, or entertainment attorney. Others will have you sign an agreement before accepting your synopsis.

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

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 308: How do I deal with people in power, making advances when I'm not interested?

The actual question read: As a young female in the business, I find myself having to deal with flirty men a lot. While I have no interest in them romantically, I can't rule out the possibility that today, or even down the road, they can help to get me a job, as I rely on others and word of mouth. How do I handle these situations without having to lie about being in a relationship or loose the possible connection?

Because this affects both genders in more ways than one, I thought I'd answer it in a more general way. While this does run rampant in our industry, it is by no means exclusive to our industry. You could handle these situations with confidence, humor, and grace. It's actually very personal.

While I'm sure I've experienced this, I can't recall a time, because I always charm my way out of these uncomfortable situations using humor. That's my personal style. The bottom line is, if the only reason I was going to get hired was if I "went above and beyond the call of duty," I wouldn't trust the person who was putting me in that position. Not that I would do it, I'm just saying, who's to say that they're going to follow through after you do?

Did I mention I hate this subject? It comes up a lot and I've put it off until question 308... geeesh.

Anyway, if you do not choose to sleep your way to the top (though some are fine making that choice), then stay away from the sleezeballs that will put you in that position. If it's not a sleezeball, but someone who is genuinely interested in you, and the feelings aren't mutual, tell him/her that you start all relationships by getting to know someone as a friend. Then you can maintain the relationship, and either enjoy a blooming friendship, or perhaps your feelings will grow into more. If it's as you say, "flirty men," flirt back. Two can play at that game. Just know when to put the brakes on. Model a Texan Gal... they're fantastic at it!

Perhaps a Relationship Coach or a Human Resource Person can chime in, in my comments section.

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

entertainment industry coach question 307:What's an out-of-the-box way for a freelance film/video editor to network for job leads?

...or relationships that lead to work? I've answered this question to many classifications in different ways, but this editor wants an out-side-of-the-box way to create relationships that lead to work.

Based on his IMDB credits, I see that his editing work has been non-union, low budget, and in a few cases, written, directed, & produced by him (bravo for that).

For someone at this level I have 2 suggestions for today's blog:

1. Find working actors who want to direct.

There are many working actors who want to direct. It may be a short, a pilot presentation, a web series, or a full length feature. The fact that they are working actors, gives them credibility so they can get other recognizable actors and actresses on their project, who will look good on your reel. If you work well with the actor/director, the plan is to create a future partnership.

2. Reach out on Craig's List to people with unfinished projects.

Most projects make it "into the can" and suddenly the funds run out and they never see the light of day. That's where you come in. Place an ad on Craig's List offering to finish a project in limbo. People interested have to fill out an extensive application. You decide what the criteria for accepting a project will be for you. Is there name talent in it? Is the material so good that you feel it has legs to actually move if completed? Is it a higher budget/quality than anything on your reel? How much of your time will be invested?

Then interview the directors and producers to see if these are people you want to create relationships with.

While everyone would prefer to be paid (and even in these cases you may be able to get something), the reality is that as you build your contacts and credits, freebies have become a way of the industry. With this method, you can be selective and strategic about the projects you take.

note: you may have to place the ad multiple times and in multiple places (other than Craig's List). You may even put in the ad, if you or someone you know has a project that is in limbo because you can't find an editor...

double note: you may receive angry responses from union editors who think what you're doing is wrong. I work with many union editors, and the bottom line is, if you don't do it, no one will. These are not union projects, you are not taking work away from a union editor. These are not stingy people who are holing out on the cash (you're interviewing them so you'll know that). These are people who you are helping complete their dream. And with some good marketing, that finished project can turn into union work for all of you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 306: Why do people say yes to looking at my reel and then they never get to it?

He continued on a rant which I'll just sum up with a "why bother saying yes in the first place?"

I can't read people's mind. There are many reasons why people say yes to watching your reel and don't. Here are a few:

1. It's on their to-do list and they will get to it.

2. They had every intention to, but life and work got in the way.

2.5 you continued to follow up with them and as your attitude got more resentful, your follow up got more obnoxious (and they either felt too guilty to contact you or just thought you were a jerk)

3. You put them on the spot when you asked them to watch the reel in the first place, and like a girl who gives out a fake number, they said yes, to end the awkwardness.

4. They think your reel stinks and they don't know how to tell you so they're avoiding the situation.

5. They misplaced your reel and they don't want to admit it.

6. They thought your reel was so great they passed it onto their agent and they're waiting to find out if he's going to take you on as a client so they can share the good news with you...

I can make up stories all day. It's probably what you've been doing. I noticed two stories in your rant. The bottom line is, you, me, and everyone we know, will NEVER know the actual reason.

All you can do is go back over the conversation of when you gave the reel to them in the first place. Were you professional? Were you in rapport? Did their physiology and tonality align with their "yes?" Did you ask them to watch it by a specific time and tell them that you'd follow-up accordingly?

If you feel good about how you handled the situation, then let it go. I have a pile of DVDs of people's documentaries, short films, feature films, and pilots, that they gave me, and I had every intention of watching them. The people range from ones I've met once at a speaking engagement to clients I've had for years. I still want to watch them. If I were living in a movie, it would be Duplicity, and one of my "selves" would watch them, while another self was blogging right now and working 16 hour days, and another self was on a romantic getaway in Hawaii, and another self was back in NY visiting my family and friends.

Unfortunately, there's just one me. And yes, I'd feel awful if someone was ranting about me for not watching something they gave me, the way you were ranting about "some people not watching your reel." But as awful as I'd feel, I can only do so much. I am doing the best I can with what I have. I'd like to think that everyone out there is doing the same. It sure beats some of the stories I made up in this blog.

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