entertainment industry coach question 342:Is the Super Bowl a good reason to reconnect with contacts?

This was a comment on yesterday's post that just came up, so I thought I'd better get back to it quickly since the Super Bowl is only hours away.

Absolutely! While not everyone in our industry is a "sports fan," everyone can relate to the competitive nature of achieving "the big goal." After all, the Super Bowl is really "the Oscars" of football.

So reach out in the spirit of going after that BIG GOAL!

I personally, will be rooting for the Giants, even though they're not playing. What can I do? They're in my blood...

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

entertainment industry coach question 341: Is Valentines Day a good reason to reconnect with contacts?

Now, Y'all know I am good at coming up with every excuse to reconnect with people, but I have to say, that with Valentines Day, you have to be VERY careful. Only because the holiday symbolizes love. Therefore, it could send the wrong message.

So if...

New Years = Best for this year

St Patrick's Day = good luck this year

Thanksgiving = I am grateful to you for your business/as a friend/contact

Then...

Valentines Day = _______________

If you can fill in that blank with something business appropriate that can't be misconstrued in any way, then go for it... and please share!

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

entertainment industry coach question 340:What's the easiest way to get work?

The easiest way to get work is to be born into an A-list family who support you pursuing your career.

I mean, come on. The followers of this blog would not be very impressed with you if they met you and you asked them that. Life in general, people who are looking for the "easy way" are perceived as lazy, uncommitted, and flaky.

Perhaps you meant "What is the most direct path to work?" The answer to that question is different for everyone. I can tell you to start by looking at how many people you know who are in the position to hire you. If you don't know enough people, start there. If you want to be more specific about where you are on your career path, I can give you a more specific answer.

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

entertainment industry coach question 339: What do I do about colleagues who are always trying to "one up" me?

In my book And...Action! I have a chapter "The Godfather," where I address 6 different types of relationships that don't serve you:

1. The Non-Supporters

2. The One-Uppers

3. The Physical Drainers

4. The Mental Drainers

5. The Not-So-Expert Experts

6 The Crashed and Burned

As far as the One-Uppers go, these are the people who no mater what you've accomplished, have done something better. They steal your joy.

You want to surround yourself with people who celebrate your success. You can only go as far as the people with whom you surround yourself. If you're not ready to eliminate the One-Uppers from your life because they hire you or refer you, then continue to tell them about your accomplishments knowing what their response will most likely be (to maintain the work relationship) and then REALLY celebrate your accomplishments with the people who care about you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 338:What's a great method an A.D. can use to quiet a crew on set that gets to talking between takes of scenes?

I've never worked as an A.D. so maybe those of you who read this who are A.D.s can chime in (add to the comment section)

I have worked as a producer, and I've also worked on sets for A.D.s as talent. My personal feeling is you get better results by being a morale raiser than a ball buster.

Therefore, when you get the opportunity, call a quick meeting and tell everyone what a great job they're doing and how pleased you are to have such a great crew. Then tell them, one of the best ways to get more work is by creating strong relationships and the best way to do that is by making a good impression on people who can hire you again and refer you to other jobs.

Let them know that by talking in between shots, it could give the impression to the "higher-ups" that they're not focused, not taking the job seriously, or are just unprofessional. Suggest that they stay focused during the hours of the shoot and then, hang out and have fun with each other after the day is wrapped.

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

entertainment industry coach question 337: What do I do when people only see me as a film loader and won't let me move up?

If you have the skills to move up, you have to create relationships with people who don't know you as a film loader. Start with indie films (if you can find one that's still shooting on film). Having big loader credits from studio features may help you get onto an indie film as an AC.

I've found that when a DP has a crew he/she can count on, it can be hard to move someone up because you enjoy having the person you rely on. Plus, if his/her AC isn't going anywhere, booting someone out to move you up isn't usually an option.

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

entertainment industry coach question 336:How do you work while grieving?

I'm asking actually. I lost one of my friends whom I've known since she was in grade school, suddenly this morning, and yet I have to work. I have to blog for you, I have to do a scene with my acting partner tonight, I have to return calls and emails to clients, I have business as usual and most importantly, I have to be there for my sister because she was her best friend.

I guess, you keep it short and do your job.

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

entertainment industry coach question 335:How important is my business card, some people don't have them.

I've blogged on business cards before, so what I'll say is, follow the advice I gave you for what to put on your business card, because it IS important to have one. The reason is because it's how people can contact you. It's one less hoop for them to jump through.

That said, you should only be handing out your card to someone with whom you've created a relationship. To just hand them out randomly, is pretty pointless. Take the time to connect with someone and have some conversation before giving out your card.

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

entertainment industry coach question 334: How do I become a movie extra?

Well, first of all the term is now "background talent" or "background artist/performer." And the answer is there are agencies that you can Google, depending on where you live. There are SAG and AFTRA regulations that apply.

First you would start out working non-union, which means the alloted contracted union workers would be hired first and then if they needed more the producers could hire non-union.

I suggest calling SAG and/or AFTRA to learn more.

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

entertainment industry coach question 333:What happens if you're working 16 hour days and you're exhausted?

You get as much sleep as you possibly can, and make SMART choices. DO NOT drive if you are too tired. Get a hotel. Research Brent's Rule.

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

entertainment industry coach question 332: Do I need branding as director?

Yes, everyone in the entertainment industry needs branding. The difference between your branding and "Coke" or "Lexus" is that they are branding a product and advertising it in print and media.

You, are branding yourself and advertising it in a more personal way. Therefore, you want your branding to reflect the type of work you want to get. Here is a situation where you want to be specific. I know you can do multiple genres, but until you are a brand the way Quentin Tarantino is, let people know where you see yourself fitting in.

I have a great "guy" for this, by the way. Contact me at jessica@theGreenlightCoach.com

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