entertainment industry coach question 328:Do you have to put someone's title in a letter?

It depends to whom the letter is being written. If you are writing to a network executive, or someone with a network, studio, or production company title, it is appropriate to send a business style letter. Therefore, the top left a few spaces below the date, will have the person's name, under that the title, and under that the address.

Depending on the nature of the letter you would address the recipient as Mr/Ms/Miss/Mrs or by their first name only.

When you are writing a letter to someone whose title is director of photography, it's a little formal to put that in a letter, HOWEVER, if they are in the ASC or another honorary organization, it is with respect, that you would include their membership letters after their name.

When deciding about including a title, think about what you would wear to an interview. Most crew members who interview in a business suit, "freak out" people because camera assistants don't wear business suits. So if you're a camera assistant writing to a camera operator, you probably wouldn't use his/her title, but you would put SOC after his/her name if it applies.

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

entertainment industry coach question 327:Should I let the people I work with know I want to transition to another classification?

That depends on the crew you work with. If you've seen in the past they've been supportive of moving people up, then you can tell them your goal.

If you're not in a situation where you feel you're being nurtured to move up within your crew, or if you're looking to transition outside of your classification, like from Camera Assistant to DP or Director, where people outside of your crew would be hiring you, I usually suggest that you stay quiet around your "bread and butter."

There are always exceptions and "the exceptions" tend to know who they are, what they can get away with as far as forging relationships on set with people who can help with their transition. But if you feel you may risk your money job by sharing your goal, don't do it. There are a lot of relationships that have to be made in order to make a move up or out. This can take 2-5 years to gain the trust they will need to hire you. In the mean time, keep working and making money at your current position. That's my opinion.

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

entertainment industry coach question 326:I own equipment and EVERYONE is asking to use it while offering me a pay cut?!?!

Not exactly in question form, but I get it. I am NO expert on the economy or the changes in technology, all I can say is that from a non-expert's view, I can make a few observations:

1. In an economic downturn, which I think we can all agree we've been in, people really don't have money to spend. So by you taking a pay cut and offering your equipment (if you have nothing else to do that could be bringing in income), gives you an OPPORTUNITY to create a new relationship with someone. The hope is that when the economy turns around and there is more money going into projects that your rate will go back up and you've built strong relationships with people during this tough time.

2. Sometimes, things change permanently. When the Steadicam first came on the scene, few operators owned it and were qualified to use it. They got paid big bucks and rental. Now, the majority of the operators I coach are qualified to operate a Steadicam and own one as well. This has saturated the market, in a negative way.

What you can do is stay on top of trends in equipment and technology. Go to trade shows. Technology is changing so quickly now, that fewer people are buying equipment, they are renting it.

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

entertainment industry coach question 325: How do you navigate egos on a movie set without alienating yourself?

I asked for more details on this one, and the gist is, a 2nd AD is doing a great job and getting high praise from the "higher ups." The 1st AD and one of the producers, is not liking the attention being paid to him.

First, let me say, that I really dislike the word ego. I think it's thrown around too much. In most cases when the person really does have an inflated ego, he/she isn't threatened by anyone, because by definition, Egomania: Excessive vanity, pride or arrogance. To be overly taken with ones own importance, doesn't allow them to care about you.

Usually what's going on is not egomania, but plain old simple insecurity. When someone doesn't feel completely confident about his/her abilities, job security, knowledge, etc, they feel easily threatened.

You can't control other people's insecurities, however you can do your best to put their minds at ease. If you pick up on the signals that they feel threatened, go out of your way to:

1. Ask them what you can do to help them.

2. Go the extra mile; see what they eat or drink from the craft service table and bring it to them when it looks like they can use a break.

3. Make it clear that you are there to support them and make them look good, and are ready to take their direction.

4. When you are given praise by the higher ups, acknowledge your fellow crew members and tell them what a great team they've put together.

It's not for you to make yourself small so that others can feel better about themselves. It's for you to be at your best so that others can shine along with you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 324: What do I make of someone who says he wants to meet with me but keeps rescheduling?

You "make" another appointment. If he says he wants to meet with you, take him at his word. I don't know what position he holds, but if he's working, he's probably very busy. Things come up all of the time, pushing you down on the priority list.

What kind of urgency did you create, if any? Do you have to meet with him because you have a deadline of some sort coming up that you want advice on? If not, there is no urgency, and that's okay. It just means that you have to be understanding about his priorities.

Until someone says NO, and tells you to leave them alone, you keep rescheduling. Also, don't put all of your eggs in one basket. Set up meetings with many people so you're not waiting on this one guy.

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

entertainment industry coach question 323:How do I connect with someone professionally on Facebook who I share friends with?

Here are some ways to connect with people on Facebook with whom you share friends:

1. Ask your mutual "friend(s)" if you can use their name as an introduction and put it in the personal note when you make the friend request.

2. Send a personal note with a friend request pointing out your mutual friends, as well as a personal reason you'd like to connect.

3. Ask mutual "friend(s)" to connect you. There's a "Friend A is friends with Friend B and suggests that you be too" feature.

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

entertainment industry coach question 322:I read your newsletter but why would anyone want to read a blog about me?

Re-read the newsletter 3 times. If you still have that question, ask someone close to you to help you with the formula I outlined.

What makes this question important to all of my blog readers (and if you want to receive the free newsletter with great career boosting articles every month, sign up at www.theGreenlightCoach.com) is what's underneath the question within your question: Why would anyone want to read a blog about you?

Let's leave out the words "want to read a blog about" and insert "be interested" so that the question now reads: Why would anyone be interested in me?

Because really, isn't that what you're asking? This is a confidence issue. Confidence is one of, it not, "the" most important success mindset you can have in this industry.

The fact is, everyone has confidence in something. Perhaps you're confident that you can tie your shoes, or boil water, or turn on a television. Therefore, it's not that you lack "confidence" it's that you lack confidence in your ability to be interesting when desired.

This is a process that is too long for a blog. The good news, is that building confidence is easier than you might think. The bad news is, that 90% of you won't take the action to build this important mindset.

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

entertainment industry coach question 321:I used to work a lot and now people I worked with work all the time and I don't, what gives?

You MUST stop comparing yourself to other people. For all the people who you notice are working, there are hundreds who like you, had a career and are struggling to revive it.

What you SHOULD do is:

1. evaluate what you are doing to generate work for yourself

2. Analyze what the successful people are doing

3. Model their success

Consider the fact that you have a track record and how to utilize that.

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

entertainment industry coach question 320: I moved out to LA 6 months ago and I'm homesick. Does this mean I'm on the wrong path?

Do you think it means you're on the wrong path? That's a question only you can answer. If you moved to LA to pursue a career in entertainment and you expected certain results within 6 months, and because you haven't achieved them, you're discouraged and homesick, it's understandable. BUT, you have to know the nature of the industry that you're pursuing. It could take a lifetime, there's no telling. So, YOU must decide if this is the path you want to follow.

I can give you tools and strategies for getting faster results, but ultimately, you have to decide if this is the business for you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 319: I'm always the 2nd choice. What am I doing wrong?

If you're the second choice, it seems that you're doing a lot right. I jut had a discussion with an actress who has been the 2nd runner-up for everything she's gone up for recently. Her name is unknown, and the actresses getting the jobs have powerhouse parents, or there's an offer out to a "name".

Is she doing anything wrong? Heck no! Can she be doing more? Yes. I suggested she get herself some powerhouse mentors who can make a call on her behalf. Maybe she wasn't born into Hollywood royalty, but she can certainly get herself "adopted".

If you are interviewing for jobs as part of the crew and coming in 2nd, that means you're really close. Can you do more? Yes. If you feel the interview went well, stay in relationship with the person you interviewed with. You never know where it will lead.

Patience is a mindset to master for success in this industry. Be proud of how far you're getting. Don't let it discourage you or it will start to chip away at you. Instead, let the butterflies of excitement stir in you knowing how close you are, because one of these days, it's going to be you!

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

entertainment industry coach question 318: Publicists are so expensive. Is there any way I can do this myself?

Timing is everything! I wish you had sent this 3 days ago, because I just listened to a great call by Lisa Manyon: No Cost & Low Cost Online Press Release Strategies. This is Lisa's area of expertise. I'm not going to comment on this because as you can tell, I'm just learning about it myself, but I will say that she gave so many great ideas. Hopefully, you can contact her and get a copy of the call. Tell her Jessica Sitomer, The Greenlight Coach, told you to contact her and ask if you can get a copy of the No Cost & Low Cost Online Press Release Strategies call.

Here's what she spoke about, so if it's up your alley, I'll give you her contact information:

1. How you can use press releases to get more traffic and visibility

2. How to use press releases to get more credibility and exposure

3. How to get free press

4. What is a press release

5. The difference between paid and free publicity

6. What happens to a press release once it's out there

7. How to build relationships with people in the media

8. How to leverage local media

9. What makes newsworthy press releases

10. Tip sheet press release

11. Nuts and bolts of writing a press release

To learn more about Lisa Manyon go to http://www.writeoncreative.com

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