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

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 798: Is it possible to have a full time job and pursue a career in entertainment?

Is it possible? Of course. You definitely have to master the art of the 80/20 principle in that you want to be doing 20% of your work for your entertainment career and have 80% results coming from that focused work. I had a full time job for 11 years and wrote screenplays, auditioned, produced 1 pilot and 4 episodes of a television show, acted in projects, directed a short, and on and on.

It's about time management. When you get to the point that your entertainment career needs more time than your full time job permits, that's what I refer to as an A-list problem. Give me a call then and we'll work it out.

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

Friday, May 6, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 797: I'm a mom and I wonder if it's unprofessional to bring my baby to commercial auditions?

I know of a few babies who have lofty college funds because their moms took them along on an audition and the mother and baby both got cast.

If you audition a lot commercially and you're in the "mom-range" I'm sure you see babies all the time. But since you're asking this question, I'm guessing you don't audition a lot and you're afraid to put yourself out there because now you have a baby.

The best solution is to find a friend who can come with you and take care of the baby while you're in the room. This way if the baby gets fussy, your friend can go for a walk outside of the casting office. BUT, just in case they're looking for a mother/baby team, it could be a great opportunity having your baby there. And you'll certainly feel a lot more comfortable auditioning with your own child than a strange baby.

Disclaimer: If you do not have a friend who can come with you, it would not be professional to tote your baby into your audition- especially, unannounced. Nothing worse than improving with a guy who's supposed to be your husband and you're deciding if it's time to start a family and your baby in the corner starts crying.

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

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 796: Why don't people help each other in Hollywood? They're always looking out for themselves!

Wow! That's a limiting belief if I ever heard one. Who are these "people" to whom you refer? Because I've met lots of people who like to help and aren't looking out only for themselves. A typical coaching question is: What are you doing to attract people who don't want to help you? Or who are you being that people don't help you?

I know, I know, you don't want to hear that. You don't want to take any responsibility for what's happening because these "people" to whom you refer are awful and only looking out for themselves.

As a "person" in Hollywood, who not only looks out for others but has blogged for 796 days straight, to help you (I don't get paid for this), who has interviewed people who want to help you (and didn't get paid for it), and who's met hundreds of people who've helped me along the way, all I can say is this: YOU'RE HANGING OUT WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE!

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

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 795: How do I sell an idea for a script or project?

This is a GREAT question for mentors. If you have questions about mentors, let me know.

So, for now:

1. Know that you can’t protect an idea, so you have to be smart about it. You can protect a script and a bible for a project... to an extent.

2. Know who you want to sell to. Do your research. Make sure the company who has produced your genre in the past is still interested in the genre.

3. Know that there are proper channels to take when submitting material. If you have representation, they will set up pitch meetings for you. If you don’t, you may be able to get an entertainment attorney to submit for you.

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

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 794:How do I sell a project I made with a group of friends?

There is no one way to do this. Here are some ideas:

1. Submit it to a festival (film festival for films, ITV.org for tv or webseries)

2. Put it up on YouTube and create buzz

3. Screen your project for decision makers

4. Create a website and sell corporate advertising space

5. Submit pitches for an article on your project to papers & magazines

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

Monday, May 2, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 793:Which industry (film, television, commercial) would you say is easiest to get work in?

They are all equally as easy and as difficult to get in to. Did that sound like Yoda? No, I'm not trying to do a Jedi mindtrick on you. The business tools and strategies for breaking into each area, are the same. The people and companies you target are different.

The quantity and quality of your business relationships in each area will determine your fastest path to work. Here's how to determine where you're starting out:

1. Make 3 lists, one for each area

2. On each list, write down who you know

3. Next to each person write a number 1-5 based on how well you know them

4. Circle in green, each person who can potentially hire you

If you don't know anyone and you're starting from scratch, decide which area you are most passionate about and target people who work in that area.

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

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 792:Is choosing a medium like choosing a major; once you're in it you're stuck with it?

What this person asked in more detail was if he were to start his career in reality TV since it's easiest with his connections to break into the medium, if that's his best place to start. Ironically he compared it to being stuck in a major. The irony being, that once you choose a major you can either switch majors, double major, and even graduate with that major and go into a career having nothing to do with the major.

It's the same thing with a medium. From what many seasoned mentors have told me, it wasn't always that way, but in the last decade we've seen a lot of classifications moving from TV to film to commercials and back again.

What you have to ask yourself is, if you start in Reality TV and your goal is to be in another medium (such as scripted television), how long are you willing to wait to achieve that goal? I ask because each medium has different relationships to be created. Therefore, while working the long hours and possible distant locations of Reality TV, you must also be building your contacts and deepening relationships with people working in scripted television.

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

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 791:Do I really need a good academic background to make it in Hollywood?

Well, that’s what my parents told me… but that was so I’d have something “to fall back on.”

It depends on what classification you’re in and what kind of academic background you’re referring to. It helps for a writer to know spelling and grammar. Some below-the-line classifications like an art history or fine arts background. Directors may want a psychology degree to help them deal with the different personalities they’ll have to manage.

Overall, most classifications don’t need an academic background. What you do need is:

1. Training in your craft/skill

2. Marketing and sales training

3. Business training

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

Friday, April 29, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 790: How do I get my foot in the door with a cold email?

The person who wrote this said that usually the best way for him to reach people is via email. But when trying to get in to new post houses, he doesn't know what kind of email to send other than a "Hi I'm ___, here's my resume.. it'd be great to be in touch." He imagines they get a lot of those and wants some tips to stand out.

First of all, he's right. The type of email he was referring to is a solicitation because his resume's attached. Clearly if you attach a resume, the person on the other end thinks "this person just wants a job." And if you want to get into a new post house (or insert your potential contacts) it's important to create a relationship with the people. Soliciting them will immediately cut off the possibility of building a relationship.

You want to make a request that a person can say yes to. For instance:

1. "I've heard wonderful things about your facility. Would it be possible to come in for a tour?"

2. If you know of someone specific who works there, you can send a business advice and guidance mentorship request.

3. You can ask colleagues and social media connections for a referral to the people you want to meet and open your email with "John thought we should connect.

Put yourself in the person's shoes. Imagine what his/her day is like. If you were in their position, what would get your interest? What would help you? What would make you want to say YES to a stranger?"