Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1019: Watched your seminar. What does it have to do with the mentor program you offer?

The 3 Keys to Your Success in Entertainment seminar, gave you the major tasks to tackle in order to make your business of acting or writing, or shooting, or editing, or what ever you do in entertainment, successful. The Greenlight Mentor Elite Program, supports you with all of the steps that go into proceeding with these tasks. In my experience, people come to a seminar, take from it the big ideas, but then lose momentum when it comes to putting things into practice.

Why?

Because everyone has their own "baggage" they carry with them. In a seminar I have to address the general public. In my Elite Program, I can address the individuals; their mindsets, their fears, their blocks, etc. In other words, what ever is getting in the way of you successfully executing the major tasks, can be addressed through monthly Q&A calls with me. And there is so much more.

If you want monthly inspiration, a team, a coach, new ideas, questions answered, feedback on your correspondence and approach to contacting people, and whatever else is coming up for you, this is an affordable program that can be your "biz" training for 2012.

AND on top of it all, you get monthly interviews with industry professionals and an action guide so you are always learning and moving your career forward.

I created the program that I always wish I had in my 20+ years in the industry. It's never too soon or too late to solidify your careers foundation and build Build BUILD!

I'd love for you to join us! Glad you enjoyed the seminar!

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1018:How do I get onto a studio lot?

For what purpose are you trying to get on a studio lot? I ask because it's the first question someone will ask when you make the request of them. Security has changed considerably in the last decade.

If you want a set visit, you need to find someone who is working on the set or someone who knows someone who is working on a set.

If you want a pitch meeting, those are harder to get. It doesn't sound like you're represented or you wouldn't be asking me about this. Do you know someone who believes in your project pitch enough to get you in the door?

These are the most simplified answers I can give you in a blog with the little information you gave me.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1017: Do I look desperate if I try to speak to a celebrity after a Q & A?

It depends on how you present yourself. First of all, what is your purpose for speaking to the celebrity? If it's just to say, "I love your work," that's fine, not desperate, and NOT strategic. Celebrities hear that all the time, and while I'm sure they appreciate it, it's not unique.

A strategy is, to be unique by asking a specific question, and have a plan for following up. Your objective should be to build an advice and guidance relationship with the celebrity because he/she can give you tips on how to get where you want to go faster.

Another tip, is to watch what others do. When the celebrity steps off the stage to greet attendees, watch what people do wrong (infringe on personal space, not taking NO for an answer, gushing like a fan, etc.). When you see what doesn't work, you'll feel more confident about your professional approach.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1016: What are the "bold" comments on your Facebook wall?

He is referring to all of the people who are writing "bold action taken" on my Facebook business page. My Greenlight Mentor Elites have a Bold Action theme this month and are taking bold actions daily. Some of them are doing a challenge I gave them so they are posting on my business wall as a way of me seeing their progress.

By the end of the month, taking a daily bold action, they will certainly be MUCH further along. I am really excited to hear about what they accomplish. Having the accountability of posting on the wall, pushes them to complete their action.

What do you do for accountability? How do you push out of your comfort zone?

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1015: when I go home for the holidays to NY should I bother to meet new people while I'm there?

Should you "bother" to meet new people? If it's a bother, then, no you shouldn't. If you want to take the holidays off to be with your family, then do it. If you happen to be around entertainment industry people, why wouldn't you want to create new relationships? You never know when it comes to 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1014: After successful working in LA for 15 years, how can I work from another state?

This particular person is interested in living and working in North Carolina while maintaining work opportunities in Los Angeles. I had someone with a similar issue last year and these were his concerns: While many of my clients have successfully worked in Los Angeles while their residency was in New York, New Mexico, San Francisco, Colorado, Chicago, Detroit, etc., this person points out, that with social media, it's harder to mask where you are and what you're doing.

It's a very good point. Facebook has privacy settings, but that can be a pain in the butt. The point of social media in regards to work is to create and maintain relationships. Instead of saying, "sunning myself on Cape Fear beach in Wilmington," just say that you're at the beach. Or you can say "having a great visit in Wilmington, went to Cape Fear beach." Or you could say "working in Wilmington the weather is beautiful." I travel all over so I post from all over.

When you're working, it doesn't matter where you're working because people go on location all of the time. The fact that you're asking this question eludes to the fact that you're already savvy to keeping yourself under wraps. Keep it up.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1013: What do I do to stay busy when times are so slow?

I feel like I just answered this.. maybe not. Maybe I just get this question a lot...

Business action ideas:

1. Re-establish with 30 contacts

2. Reach out to 10 business advice mentors

3. Visit 5 sets (if it's holiday time, go to 5 parties)

4. Attend 1 networking event/week and meet 5-10 people at each

Many people spend all of their time in between jobs, stressing out about being out of work and then, once they have the next job, they look back and regret not enjoying their time off.

Off time ideas:

1. Hang out with friends you've been out of touch with

2. Once a week, spend a day doing something you enjoy: the beach, a day trip to another city, a movie with popcorn & soda, a sports event, a museum, the planetarium

3. Exercise

4. Pick up an old hobby

That should keep you busy for a while.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1012: How do I react when 2 out of 80 calls I make per day are returned?

The question continued: "I've been in Europe for a few years where people call you back immediately. When I returned to the states, I found that people prefer to use email or social media. This is very impersonal to me. What do you recommend?"

I recommend giving the people what they want. A year ago, I was struggling to get people in our industry to set up a Facebook page. Now it's how people get to know each other. You can't fight the trends. I knew it was coming, so I teach people about it.

So embrace the trends, and you can still get very personal with people via social media. Everything ebbs and flows. Eventually people will get tired of spending so much time at their computer and want to have human contact again or hear a friendly voice on the phone. But until then, give the people what they want. And as far as those 2 people who call you back... THEY are your "people." They are like-minded and enjoy phone contact. So those are the people who you deepen relationships with in your preferred style. The rest will be contacts whom you're not as close with, but still contribute to your career path.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1011: Please provide me with tips on how to negotiate health benefits on a non union movie.

How to negotiate for health benefits on a non-union film, is not my area of expertise. However, I will give you advice, based on three things:

1. That I've produced non-union projects

2. That I worked for the camera union for 11 years

3. That I am now a small business owner/independent contractor

Here's my advice:

The first thing I would do is evaluate the budget of the non-union project. As a producer of ultra low-budget projects, I can assure you, there was no money for health insurance no matter how much I wanted someone on my project or how great a negotiator he/she was. Therefore, if the money isn't there, there's nothing you can do.

If you do believe the money is there, you can anonymously call your union (if you're in one, if you're not, you can still call). Because the IATSE is an alliance, you can speak to a union representative about organizing a show without the producers knowing it was you. The reason they won't know is because, once the rep sees the possibility for organizing, he/she will call reps from other IATSE locals. When reps from 3 to 5 locals show up to organize, there's no way for a producer to know who tipped them off.

If organizing is not an option you want to consider, then if you're not already, you can consider becoming an entity. Without getting too technical, by becoming an official business, (which you are as an independent contractor), you can get health insurance as a small business owner. My suggestion is that you speak to the following before going this route:

1. SBDC- the Small Business Development Center, a non-profit organization for small businesses. This is a FREE service.

2. A Small Business Tax Accountant who has experience with people in the entertainment industry.

Again I want to reiterate, I AM NOT AN EXPERT in this area. I am like you, a small business owner (S-Corp), who works in the entertainment industry, and is in a union in addition to having worked for one. I am speaking from my own experience, and advise you to talk to at LEAST 5 people before making any decisions.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1010: Is it possible to shoot a studio feature 20 years out of film school?

This was in response to the blog about directing a studio feature 2 years out of film school. And while I know the person who asked the question, was kidding, it's actually a frequently asked question, so I'm going to address it.

MANY people have come to me for coaching and said a variation of these words, "I have been working on non-union films for 20 years, and I'm not going to do another film, unless it's union."

I then have to get into strong rapport with them, look them straight in the eyes, and gently deliver these exact words, "then you may never work again."

It's a harsh reality, I know, but if you don't have the relationships with studio executives, studio directors who have the clout to bring you on, or a track record that will make you sellable ONCE a film of yours "blows up," then not only do you have to continue working non-union, but you also have to spend time building relationships with the people who have the power to hire you at the studios.

Studio politics are impossible to understand if you have never been involved in the studio system. So find people who have been, who can give you perspective and advice.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1009: What do you do when nothing's happening and you feel frustrated?

It sounds like you're asking me personally, so I'll answer you personally. When I feel frustrated or things aren't happening at the speed I'd like them to, I get back to what got me into this business to begin with. My creativity.

I used to take acting classes and it was so fulfilling.The past year, I've gone back to my other love... writing. And not writing for my business either! Strictly creative writing. I just published a fiction book which I'll be sharing with you soon. In the past, writing has turned into 4 produced projects.

If I'm so bummed out that the creative juices aren't flowing, I pop in one of my go-to rom coms. Without fail, Pretty Woman, The Family Man, Notting Hill, and two piles high of others, stimulate ideas, while I'm watching, or when I'm dreaming, or while I'm driving and on and on. It's not long before I'm back at my laptop typing out what the characters request of me.

That's my method. I'm sure there are others out there who may want to share, so let's hear from you.

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