And...Action!

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

Friday, June 10, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 832: How can I pursue my career as a movie still photographer?

Being a movie still photographer is a completely separate business of photography. Your marketing materials are different, your contacts are different, and you have no control over the lighting.

Start by understanding the purpose of your job: it's to create publicity photos. Therefore it's not about getting the most creative shots necessarily, it's about getting the shots that capture the emotion of the scene and will compel viewers to go to the theater.

In the beginning, you will most likely start on independent films and student films. You have to target directors and producers who make the films. Your goal here is to build your portfolio with set stills.

You should also research other Still Photographers by checking out their websites.

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

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 831: I feel stupid approaching a person after they've done a Q&A, but I see others doing it. Should I do it?

I addressed this in way back in the day: Question 71. I can tell you in addition to what I wrote about in that blog, that your feelings are stemming from a lack of objective and preparation. Of course you would feel stupid if you were walking up there with nothing to say but an insincere compliment. The fact that you're asking this question means you see there is value in creating relationships with people who volunteer their time to give back to the community. So instead of worrying about "feeling" stupid, worry about not "being" stupid. To do that:

1. Research the person speaking and find a genuine reason to create a relationship

2. Watch the person's work and figure out a genuine reason why this person would make a great mentor

3. Let go of the judgement you're putting on yourself and take a risk

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

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 830: What do I do if I'm in a remote state like Montana to generate Union work if I'm not in the Union?

Depends on what union. SAG has different rules than IATSE, etc. You may be in a Catch 22 situation where you need union days to get into the union or enough non-union days (which are probably hard to accrue in a remote state). If you're trying to get Union work in Montana and are not in the Union, there are Union rules that may inhibit you from being hired, or it may be a right-to-work-state. You have to investigate. After working for a union for 12 years, I can tell you that unions want to help. If the state you're in is remote, maybe there's an opportunity to organize a group of experienced workers and strengthen a union.

If you live in a place like Montana, want to work Union and there isn't Union work in your area, you may want to seriously consider relocating.

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

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 829: Is it cool if I don't live in LA but have a friend moving out there, to ask my friend who lives there to m

Whoa... let me re-read that....

Okay, I think I get it. Yes, it's more than cool. You have a friend who is settled in LA. Ask him or her if you can give your friend his/her number to have someone to show them the ropes. I've never turned that request down. I remember how it felt to move out here knowing three people, two of whom left LA within a week of my arrival (the Northridge Earthquake hit 12 hours after my plane touched down). Having someone who can discuss neighborhoods, restaurants, the business, is a huge relief.

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

Monday, June 6, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 828: What if I know people are talking about me at Union Networking events? Should I still go?

Look, this is business, not high school. I have no idea if people are talking about you or not. What I do know is that there are SO many people in this industry that you should ignore the catty group and meet other people. Your union is providing you with the opportunity to do this. Focus on creating strong bonds with new people.

Pursuing relationships in this industry is like dating. You're not going to connect with everyone and that's okay. The problem is when you only know a few people and you desperately try to force relationships that aren't worth it. Find the like-minded people and surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you!

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

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 827: How should I dress for an interview with an agent?

"Dress the part." This is not an interview for corporate America. I recently coached a beautiful young girl who'd had a terrible meeting with a commercial agent. She had a meeting with a second one and wanted better results. I asked her what she thought went wrong. The biggest problem she felt, was that she wore a dressy dress, and for the next one, planned to wear a pencil skirt (corporate look). I told her NO WAY! Dress the way you will be cast. She's right for Sprite, cell phones, and everything young and hip. So she wore a cute polka dotted sundress, and Viola, the second agent wanted to sign her on the spot.

Know your signature look/style and brand it in your appearance as well as your art. If you're an "academic" cinematographer, wear your glasses and a sport coat- not a suit and tie. If you're an "imaginative" production designer, be creative and colorful with your clothes. If you're a hip and trendy costume designer, you better dress hip and trendy.

Your personal brand is reflected in everything from how you dress to the cover on your DVD reel. It should all reflect your art. I work from home in a plush and comfy bathrobe, but I'm certainly not going to be cast that way, so I suck it up and put on the Va Va Va Voom clothes when I have a meeting. Yup, the Uggs have to stay at home and the high heeled boots hit the pavement. That's entertainment!

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

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 826: What do I do when I have to work and "life" shows up?

THIS WAS PULLED FROM THE ARCHIVES because someone wrote in a similar question and instead of sharing his pain, I'll just remind you of mine :-) I lost my Jakey in Dec 2010. I will always miss him!

This is what I've been asking myself all day. At 9:20am, this morning, five minutes before I was supposed to leave to give a seminar for The Actors Fund of America, my 13-year-old Lab had what appeared to be a stroke. I was rushed, confused and torn. I knew I had a group of 70+ waiting for me, but my dog is like my child.

What do I do when I have to work and "life" shows up?

You make choices. Sometimes hard choices. I called my sister, who works across the street, and had her come home and get him so she could bring him to the vet. I told her I'd be turning my phone off, because I couldn't hear any bad news before going on-stage. Once I made the choice, I committed to it, and gave my audience 100%.

When it was over, I called my sister. I got the update on Jake. It was not a stoke, but he was not out-of the woods. I had a new client to meet. I gave him 100%. I left him, called my sister, she was on her way to the vet and wanted me to meet her. I explained I was driving home for another client, and would come over after. I gave my next client 100%. THEN I went to the vet to be with my boy. There was nothing I could do for him during the course of the day that my sister couldn't handle.

What do I do when I have to work and "life" shows up?

1. Make a quick evaluation of the choices

2. Ask for help

3. Use my tools, to be "in the moment" with whatever choice I make

4. Forgive myself for any uncertainty about the decision I made

He's still at the vet who is optimistic. I'll know more tomorrow.

What do I do when I have to work and "life" shows up? The very best that I can. And that's all you can do.

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

Friday, June 3, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 825: You've got your own business, do you ever think of just quitting the "biz"?

Are you asking because you're thinking about quitting the biz? I have quit... 3 times, and to quote Michael Corleone, "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in."

Do I have days when I wonder what am I doing in this crazy business? Yes. Do I have days when I feel alone, frustrated, confused, and hopeless? Yes.

And then I remember the first movie I did on location in Oregon, where I saw my first wild peacock, elk on the side of the road, failed at cattle wrangling, rode a horse even though I was told I wouldn't have to since it WASN'T on my special skills, AND I got to act ever day (but 4) for one whole month.

And then I remember starring in a sitcom pilot where a Camera Operator from Mad About You, told me we'd never get the whole pilot shot in ten hours. He was right... we shot it in 8. He was shocked, all of the actors knew our lines.

And then I remember a reality show from MTV following around a television show I was on and being on a treadmill at the gym and seeing myself on MTV and having the guy next to me stare at the TV and then look at me and then back at the TV and then back at me.

I love acting, I love writing, I love being on set with creative people, I love watching the finished product, and I love the memories that pull me out of the down times.

Create your own memories, and cherish them. This industry isn't for everyone, but if you want to stick with it and presently it's hurting your soul, tap into the memories of why you love it, then imagine it's five years from now and you're doing what you love. Really immerse yourself in the visualization; the sights, sounds, scents, tastes, feelings. Those feelings are are just as real in your body as the sad, lonely, rejected feelings. The difference is your choice of what you focus on.

I'm going to go visualize that a blog I've been writing becomes a network show... happy thoughts to you all...

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

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 824: Is the business always this slow?

I think I've heard that question every month for the last 10 years. I guess it's because as a coach, half of the people who come to me are out of work. So it can be the busiest time ever and for the out of work people, it still feels slow.

The entertainment industry is ever-changing. With strikes, de-facto strikes, run-away production, tax incentive states, right-to-work states, changing technology, expensive equipment, in-expensive equipment, people retiring, new people entering the industry, and on and on...

Is the business slow? Who knows. It is what it is. If there is someone, anyone, out there working, you can be too. Instead of looking for an excuse like "its slow" to allow yourself off the hook or blame for your being out of work, ask yourself, what can I be doing to generate work for myself no matter what the state of the industry?