Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1042: 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.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1041: How do you balance a career in entertainment and a family?

I've been getting this question a lot lately. I'm guessing because the holidays just came and went and some people were working through the festivities, while others were suffering the repercussions of industry 'divorce.'

This holiday season I heard about so many ends of the spectrum:

1. A guy who recently lost an executive job who couldn't fully enjoy his holidays due to the stress of being out of work and wanting a new job. While he will get another one, the question is when, and how do you make the most of enjoying the time you have off to be with the ones you love, while keeping the faith that something else will come along?

2. An actress and mom whose husband is a movie producer, and away from the family for 7 months at a time. This puts so much stress on the family, because she and her two young kids miss their dad, and he misses them. Of course, he has a great paying job and is thinking about the future. So, do you appreciate that your husband is working hard now for your future, knowing that it won't always be this way? Or do you look for another kind of job in a job market that isn't fantastic?

3. Then there's the story of the typical scenario of a crew working long hours and days, kissing the kids goodnight on a Sunday and not seeing them awake again until Friday, missing milestones, missing birthdays. And what if both parents are working in the business?

I've addressed this question before, and I ask every mentor in my Greenlight Mentor Program to address it as well, and the bottom line, is every family deals with it differently.

Here's what I think are the important elements to remember when entering into a relationship and as it progresses:

1. Be completely honest about where you want your career to go and what your partner can expect from our industry once you achieve those goals.

2. When discussing children, as a couple, meet with other entertainment industry couples and get their perspective on how they manage, the pros and the cons.

3. Always share your passion but never make the job seem more important though you may be choosing to take the work over a family vacation, explain your reasons for taking it and the nature of the industry, so they understand. Depending on how old kids are or how lonely a spouse is, they may not like it, but at least you're being open about why things are how they are.

4. Whenever possible, include your family, invite them to location, so they can see you in your element.

5. Use Skype, and other forms of communication while you are out of town or on the job, even when you're tired. Push yourself to make the effort.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1040: What should my next step be from corp videos to producing Films?

The next step will have to do with researching the market. As a coach, my job isn't to know your market, 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 Film?

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.

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.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1039: 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!

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1038: Once I get a mentor, what am I going to talk to him about?

I get this question all the time because people who want mentors worry that they won't know what to talk about once they get them. Worry, in this case, comes from two things:

1. Lack of preparation

2. Jumping ahead of yourself

When you decide on a mentor, do your research and design questions that you want him or her to answer. Once the questions are answered it will lead you to take action and the next conversation will pick up from the results you had based on his/her advice. And so on and so on.

By "jumping ahead of yourself," I mean, you haven't even had a first mentor conversation and you're already worried about what you're going to talk about down the road. When you meet a friend through a mutual friend, find that you get along really well, and make plans to go out to lunch, do you worry about what you're going to talk about three months from now if the friendship blossoms? I sure hope not.

Mentorship is no different. Like friendships, let the relationship happen naturally. Trust that you will always do your pre-conversation work of designing "next-step" questions, and will therefore, know what to talk about.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1037:Should I seek interviews at prod. companies for work in films in pre prod or currently in prod to start?

To start? Absolutely. Breaking into the entertainment can be done in many ways. If you are interested in development, interning or assisting in a pre-production office can be very educational, and a great way to create relationships.

If you're interested in production or post, working as a set PA is a great way to learn how the different positions work as well as gain an understanding of what they're shooting and how it fits into the post production process.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1036: 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 relationship 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.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1035: 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.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1034: How do I create the best plan for 2012?

Normally I would talk about a business plan but this year I'm taking a new and fun approach. If you want in, here's the info and it's in two days...

CALL TO ADVENTURE: from Foundation to Expansion tele-seminar.

live on January 5th, 2pm PST/5pmEST

There will also be a replay sent out, so RSVP even if you can't be on the live call.

The Call to Adventure seminar is different than all of the "kick off your 2012" seminars that everybody does. This call is all about creating a totally new foundation for your life through adventure in 2012, looking at your long term vision and finding out how adding fun to expand your comfort zone will be the bridge between where you are now and where your vision sees you being in your career!

To RSVP for the Call email events@thegreenlightcoach.com subject line: Call to Adventure and you will receive the call in details

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1033: Why do people say yes to looking at my reel and then they never get to it?

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.

3. 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)

4. 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.

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

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

7. 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. 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 yet another one was in NY visiting my friends by a warm toasty fire.

Unfortunately, there's just one me. And yes, I'd feel awful if someone was upset with me for not watching something they gave me. 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.

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

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1032: What is the first thing you'd have me do to kick off the new year?

Sign up for my "Call to Adventure" free call email events@theGreenlightCoach.com

CALL TO ADVENTURE: from Foundation to Expansion tele-seminar.

January 5th, 2pm PST/5pmEST

There will also be a replay sent out, so RSVP even if you can't be on the live call.

The Call to Adventure seminar is different than all of the "kick off your 2012" seminars that everybody does. This call is all about creating a totally new foundation for your life through adventure in 2012, looking at your long term vision and finding out how adding fun to expand your comfort zone will be the bridge between where you are now and where your vision sees you being in your career!

To RSVP for the Call email events@thegreenlightcoach.com subject line: Call to Adventure and you will receive the call in details