entertainment industry coach question 595: Do I need a Facebook "Like/Fan" page?

This is a personal question. There are bells and whistles you can use on a "like" page, that you can't use on your personal page, the question is do you have time to maintain two pages? I have a "like" page that I don't maintain because I haven't figured out what value I can offer "fans" that I don't already offer on my regular page.

I feel people get to know me personally on my personal page, and some of that is lost on a "like" page. This is more of a "throw some spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks." If it works for you and you have time for both, then there's no reason not to do it. When I hit 5000 friends, I'll have no choice, but to move people over, so I'm still trying to decide when the time is right to start converting people over.

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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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entertainment industry coach question 593:Why do some shows like Lone Star get cancelled so fast?

That would be a great question for Fox. Personally, I was enjoying it (which as my loyal readers know is the kiss of death- although No Ordinary Family got a few more episodes ordered yay!).

Look, it's about ratings/money. Bottom line. Things have changed. If networks were axing shows like they do now back when Seinfeld and Friends were on, they would have been axed in the first season.

If you're asking for personal reasons like Jimmy is cute (I told him he looks like a younger, cuter George Clooney and he acted like he'd never heard it before, did I mention humble and sweet?) then I really can't give you a good answer. But if you have a serious interest in the networks and how and why they make the decisions they do, then I suggest you seek out mentors in that area.

I also get a lot of "political" insight from my writer friends, but it's different for every show.

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entertainment industry coach question 592: What do I say when people ask who my favorite actor is? I have so many.

People who ask you this are trying to make conversation. It's not a quiz. There are no wrong answers. So say exactly what you just said, "I have so many." Tell them who and why. I'm sure you like different actors for different reasons. I like Ed Norton for completely different reasons than I like Adam Sandler. It makes for good conversation.

Now if they say "If you were going to be trapped on an island with an actor for the rest of your life who would you choose?" Then, my friend, you must choose... and choose wisely.

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entertainment industry coach question 591:Things have changed so much in the last 10 years. How do I stay on top of it?

There was a little more to this question about how technology both for craft and networking are changing so quickly how does one know where to focus attention?

When it comes to buying equipment, it's all a gamble. Every time I buy a Mac they come out with a new update the next year. And yes, change is happening at a very quick pace and predicted to get quicker.

The way to stay on top of it, is to have mentors in high places. You want to be "in" with those who are "in the know."

You want to read all of the trades that have to do with your craft and stay on top of business trades as well to learn best practices and apply it our industry.

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entertainment industry coach question 590:why do people see movies more than once?

This may be one of the strangest questions I've ever received... but no judgement. I can only speak for myself.

The movies I've seen more than once have either, inspired me, made me laugh over and over, moved me... actually I realize this list could go on and on.

People see movies more than once because they enjoyed them. Sure there's some who see them over and over for research, but for the most part I'm going to go with, because they enjoyed them.

Now I'm going to ask you a question... no 2 questions:

1. Why did you ask me that?

2. Have you never seen a movie more than once?

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entertainment industry coach question 589: I read yesterday's blog. R U allowed to talk to them or should you just observe?

Well the way I see it is, the only difference between me and anyone else under that tent in video village, is the opportunities they've had. We all have talent, we all have passion, and we all have confidence. Therefore, anyone I wasn't introduced to by the DP who invited me, I introduced myself to. They're just people (amazingly talented and funny people, but still people).

Now, keep in mind, I took the temperature of the set. The people were warm and welcoming, so I knew it was okay to make conversation. There are certainly sets that are far more tense, on which you would have to make your own choice if it's better to step back and observe.

I've found that when sets are that tense and "closed off" people who would normally invite me, tell me that it's not a great set to visit or they're going through a tense time so maybe give it a few weeks.

A few rules I made up for myself and you can feel free to adopt:

1. Never sit on a directors chair unless someone offers it to you (and if someone important comes in and there are no chairs left, offer to give up yours).

2. On the flip side if you're standing and someone offers their seat and you say no, to be polite, if after an hour or so they offer again, take it, because they probably feel uncomfortable that you're a guest and you are standing for so long. Don't make them ask three times :-)

3. Don't eat set food unless it's offered. Even then I don't eat it, but I'm just that way. I eat before I go. Now if they offer you a water or a soda and you're thirsty, go ahead. Dehydrating on set would be embarrassing for both you and the person who invited you.

4. Don't give your opinion on what's going on unless asked for it. Silent laughing when scenes are hilarious is not included. That's not an opinion that's positive reinforcement... unless of course it's a drama.

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entertainment industry coach question 588: Why would you as a career coach do a set visit?

This is from a Facebook reader who saw my post about doing a set visit on Modern Family. Well as both a career coach and an industry professional, I practice what I preach. I do set visits to see clients as well as (in today's case) to visit friends who work on shows I LOVE.

I've already blogged on reasons to do set visits, so you can read those in the archives. Here's why I personally love set visits and what I especially loved about today. When you target specific shows you love, you get to meet the people who create the "magic" and learn from the masters of the craft. I was privileged to spend 4 hours in video village observing the interaction, between Steve Levitan (Creator/Exec Producer), Adam Shankman (Director), James Bagdonas (Director of Photography) and the two writers of the episode. To witness the creative process, the "on-the-fly" problem solving which comes with every public location (and closed sets as well), and the professional yet fun way, these men handled every situation was both inspiring and invigorating. There's a reason why shows like Modern Family are great- the team making it happen.

There is so much to learn not only from a technical point of view but in addition, from the confidence of experience, how respectfully they speak to each other, how they handle the "unexpected" and turn it into something spectacular, these are gems that you can apply to your future endeavors.

Anyone with "negative issues" about set visits- you are getting in your own way! Put your ego aside and allow yourself to bathe in the inspiration that is everywhere when you surround yourself with this caliber of talent!

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entertainment industry coach question 587:I'm just wondering what you think about actors being on linked in? something I need to do?

It can't hurt to be on LinkedIn, but so far, it's more the "suit" version of social media, whereas Twitter is for Flip flops and Facebook is a Gap sundress that can be dressed up or down. I'm on it, I'm also on Plaxo, but so far the only thing that has come out of LinkedIn is my ex boyfriend finding me and turning my life upside down for about a month ;-)

To really create relationships go with Facebook, set up a profile on LinkedIn just in case someone on it is looking for you, but I wouldn't spend too much valuable time on it, unless you learn of some new way to use it that is of value to freelancers. One thing you can do if you're on it, is join some of the entertainment industry groups and comment on the conversations. Again, that is a strategy used in the business world, I don't use it because it's not where I choose to focus my time. IF their were three of me (not as in multiple personalities but more like Multiplicity), I'd have one of my "me's" commenting on blogs all day long.

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entertainment industry coach question 586: how do I approach certain people from different departments on being able to help me help them?

That should be easy enough. If you have a way to help people in other departments, they'd love to hear about it. I happen to know this person is in a classification that is one of the first hired on a project, so he can create a strategy that lets the heads of departments know that a production is about to start hiring. Now who wouldn't want that kind of help? So, really all you have to do is reach out to the people and tell them that this is a way you'd like to help them. I can't see a down side to this.

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entertainment industry coach question 585: Is there really a point to creating my own content for web series if I don't have name talent for it?

YES YES YES!!!! It's not just about selling your product, although that would be a bonus. It's about getting your brand out there. It's about having control over how people perceive you by the work you show. If you're an actor you can create the exact roles you want to play and brand yourself as such. If you're a writer it gives people the chance to hear your voice. If you're a producer or a director, you get to showcase the genre you are pursuing. If you are any other classification your goal is to find the writers and talent to showcase the genre you're pursuing.

Could you sell it? You wouldn't be breaking new ground. It's been done. And even some who didn't sell their work got great meetings out of it.

And most importantly, you're working on something, keeping your creative juices flowing, and giving you something you're passionate about to talk about. That goes a REALLY long way when you're networking.

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