Getting Work in Entertainment Question 934: A CD told me not to put any links on my emails because they are distracting, is this true?

If you asked 10 casting directors, you'd get 10 different answers. You are a business. You have to promote yourself. If you are sending in a headshot and resume for a project with a note, any additional links to social media, a website, a movie trailer, a reel, a blog, etc., would go under your signature. If they don't want to be distracted, they don't have to read down that far.

That said, make a note of the CD who doesn't like it and when you write to her/him, remove your signature.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment Question 933: How many hats can I wear at one time?

If you mean on one project, you can wear as many as you can handle. The challenge is to do every job well, and when you wear too many hats, the one hat that you want to "excel" at, may backfire on you.

When I've produced shows that I've acted in, I've never been able to do 100% of the work on my acting that I do when I'm just acting. It's no fun to produce a show in order to be seen as an actor and then have the end result be something that falls short of your true talent.

Now, if you mean in general, you can wear as many hats as you want in the industry, BUT and this is a big but, do not mix your "hats" on your marketing materials. It's one thing to be a writer/director, but an actor who writes should have separate business cards for each, as should a DP/Producer. When people start seeing a list of what you can do on your cards and resumes, they figure you're not a specialist in one area.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 932: I find some of the things you say to do tedious.

That's not a question, but I'll address it anyway. If you find things tedious, don't do them. You have choices; you can get someone else to do the tedious actions for you, or you can find the actions that work most effectively for you and avoid the tedious ones.

I give you enough ideas that you don't have to do everything. Choose the things you enjoy or don't find as tedious. It is business after all, not everything is going to be creative and fun, but you can still make the most of the actions that are necessary to advance your career.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 931: how do I make my resume stand out?

If you're an academy award winner and/or have worked on top box office grossing films, that's going to make your resume stand out. Although usually at this level, you won't need a resume.

So what really makes a resume stand out if you have basically a number of unrecognizable credits with semi-unrecognizable talent? A REFERRAL. In other words, sending out hundreds of resumes cold, is pretty much a waste of time and money. Instead, target specific jobs, speak to your contacts to find out if they know anyone involved with the project, and then send a cover letter with your resume stating that you were referred by _______. That's what makes you stand out, having a connection to someone involved.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 930: How long should it take to sell a screenplay?

There is no way to say. All I know is if no one reads it, you'll never sell it. Some scripts get bought up lickity-split and others float around the industry for years. I'm sorry I don't have a more definitive answer for you, but making a living as a screenwriter is taking a risk, a wonderful risk, but a risk nonetheless.


The important thing is to keep writing so when your script does get read and they ask what else you have, you have two or three scripts, at least, to represent your talent. 

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 929: Why are they remaking so many movies and tv shows?

I am a career coach not a studio exec. All I can tell you is $$$$$ That said, if they touch Pretty Woman, I may have to boycott Hollywood AND as far as tv, Charlie's Angels, okay. Hawaii Five-O, rocks, they're doing the Munsters and Bewitched... uh boy... IF THEY TOUCH The Monkees... bananas are going to fly and it won't be pretty!!!!!

Getting Work in Entertainment Question 928: How do I talk to people naturally? I feel like I have nothing to say when I meet people.

First question: Can you talk to anyone naturally? If you can't, then it sounds like it's out of my realm. You need to speak to a professional therapist.

That said, I'm going to answer this question as if you do have friends and family members who you can talk to easily. If you can talk to them easily, you can talk to anyone easily, you're just getting in your own way.

Most people's problem is that they don't think that they're interesting. You are- to like-minded people. The rest don't matter. It's like dating. You don't connect with everyone and that's okay.

Here are some tips:

1. Know some subjects you feel confident about so you know what you can talk about.

2. Ask questions. Instead of worrying about what you will say, get them to answer a question about a subject you're interested in, so you'll be able to join in.

3. Read the trades and stay current on industry happenings. This way, you'll either be commenting on a subject they're already aware of or giving them new news.

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Getting Work in the Entertainment Industry Question 927: I've been calling my contacts over and over and I need something new to do. Any suggestions?

I have at least 20 off the top of my head, but here's the thing. You're doing what EVERYONE does when they're looking for work (that is everyone who hasn't coached with me). You're calling your contacts every week, month, hopefully not day, to tell them "I'm available." This is NOT strategic. This is not good business. How would you feel if you were working and in the position to hire people, you already hired the people you need, and then get 50 "I'm available" calls each week. What would you do? You wouldn't have time to call everyone back and say that you're sorry but you don't have anything for them. So, that is why you find yourself where you are now.

Okay, suggestions. First of all, because it seems as if you don't know enough people who are working and you are their #1 or 2 call, this isn't necessarily going to be a quick process, so it's important that you're patient.

1. Target and meet at least 5 new people per month

2. Meet 10 people per month who are in the industry no matter what classification

3. Ask the people you already know for referrals

4. Review the previous 926 blogs for new ideas

Or you can (shameless plug) BUY MY BOOK which is 52 chapters written in a way that you have a new action to take each week.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 926: How do I create my own web series if I don't have money?

I don't know if you're asking me me because you see that I'm doing a free teleseminar on creating webseries and marketing yourself with a video blog. If you want a detailed answer to this question, register for the free teleseminar on Wed, Sept 14th 5pm PST HERE 

The short answer is Collaboration! I happen to know that the person who asked this question is an actress.

Because she's an actress with an idea, to create a web series, the bare minimum she needs is:

1. a writer(s)

2. a director

3. a producer

4. a camera person

5. an editor

On many web series, 2 people can be all 5 of those. She also needs equipment for camera, sound, and editing.

With no money, she'll be looking to collaborate with people who want to build their credits and skills/experience, believe in the idea, and want to create relationships with others working on the project. They will volunteer their time, equipment, and resources.

The little details of creating a project like this, that I'm not going into, will be discovered when you begin collaborating. You will probably need some money (for batteries, lunch, etc.).

BE SURE to have non-disclosure agreements when discussing your project as well as contracts for all involved. EVEN IF YOU'RE WORKING WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS!!! You can even download these for free on the internet and make them fit your needs. Protect your project! If you want to make everyone equal partners in it, fine. Just put it in writing!

If you have no idea how to find people to collaborate with, a great start would be my free call, so click above to register.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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