And...Action!

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

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 837: I'd work for free to show what kind of worker I am doing anything in entertainment. How?

The challenge with answering "how do I get a job doing anything in the business" is it's way too general. There are literally hundreds of different jobs in entertainment. It's really important to narrow down your search in order to research where your skill set could be a good fit. For example:

1. Are you executive material?

2. Do you want to work ON set?

3. Do you want to develop projects?

4. Do you want to be involved in the post production process?

5. Are you interested in sales, marketing, or promotion?

6. Do you want to drive a truck, cater food, do hair?

I can go on and on. I don't want to limit you by saying pick an area and stick to it, instead I'm suggesting you pick the area that sounds most intriguing to you, research it, and if it turns out to be underwhelming, choose another area.

Once you've done your research and have 3-5 jobs or areas that you know you're interested in, you can reach out to people who hold those jobs and ask them for business advice and guidance. A question you certainly want to ask is, "Where can I find an opportunity to offer my services for free?" Or in more corporate settings, an internship.

The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for people to help you.

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

Monday, June 13, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 836: is it SUPER taboo to Facebook message a casting director with a professional question?

If it's a professional question, it's not super taboo. The problem is when people have "ulterior motives" for writing that are transparent.

Ask yourself, "Do I really need to know the answer to this question, or do I already know it?" "Is there a specific reason why I need the answer from this particular casting director?"

If you have an answer to the later, be sure to include it in your message, so the casting director knows specifically why you're reaching out.

So, that's best practices. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Casting Directors are VERY busy and don't always keep up with Facebook

2. Actors bombard CDs with Facebook messages, so if a CD doesn't know you, your message could go unread.

3. If you have access to the CD another way, it may be more effective.

4. You'll never know until you try! Every CD will respond differently. Some will be open to a question, some won't. You have no control over their response, so don't take anything personally.

Your best bet is to be as professional as possible, giving the CD as many reasons to think, "Yes, I want to answer this question."

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

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 835: Can someone with no connections in the industry make it as a director?

"Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream? Everybody's got a dream..."- Homeless Guy from Pretty Woman

Someone with no industry connections can make it in any classification. If you have talent, drive, and a willingness to learn how to run your business like a business, then absolutely.

I know that's a really short answer, but the fact is, the answer is yes. If you have more questions about how to make it, start by reading this blog from questions 1. Then as questions pop up for you, send them my way. Happy to help.

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

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 834: How are people with no talent working and I'm not?

Ah yes, the harsh question of the frustrated entertainment professional. Sometimes talent isn't enough... hey, that would make a good book subtitle- oh, that's right, it already is... Mine.

Listen, the bottom line is that talent is certainly important, though as you can clearly see, it's not a prerequisite. Plenty of people who are (how do I say this nicely?) sub-par, work consistently because they are well connected.

This is an industry of who you know and who knows you. So if you're not working you don't know the right people, and the only one in control of that, is YOU.

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

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 833: What is a smart question to ask at an industry Q & A?

Remember that old saying, "There are no stupid questions." Whoever said that, has never been to an entertainment industry Q & A. Okay, I'm being harsh, but it REALLY bothers me when people ask a question like this: "How would someone like me, who has (5 minutes of rambling off his/her credits) get hired by you?"

CLEARLY a resume sharing, job request, masked by a question. Unprofessional, and desperate, in my book.

A smart question, is a question that:

1. You really want the answer to, that establishes the level you're at.

2. Makes you stand out from the crowd (for example if you're at an event where everyone is asking questions about the editing, ask a question about the lighting).

3. Gives the person an opportunity to share a story.

Understand that the purpose of asking a question at a Q&A is two fold. First, you want the answer to further educate yourself. Second, you want to start a relationship, therefore the question will be a reminder of who you are when you follow up with the person.

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.