And...Action!

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

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1120: I live in a small town and want to move to LA. What should I do?

Here's the advice I've given to people who have successfully made the move to Los Angeles:

1. Save enough money to survive for a year with no work/or be willing to get a survival job

2. Create relationships with people who live in LA, before moving out here

3. Have a strategy plan that includes the kind of work you want and how you plan to generate it

4. Research the "business side of the business" so you aren't shocked when you're not "discovered" within 30 days (or 30 months)

5. Choose a support team of friends & family, so during times of doubt, they can boost you back up

Because there are so many people who are interested in moving and survival jobs in LA, check out 2 of my Greenlight 101 Series books:

101 Tips on Moving to Los Angeles from a Small Town, by author, Jefferson Loftfield

and

101 Tips to Getting a Survival Job That Doesn't Suck, by author, Dawna Gonzales

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

Monday, April 2, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1119: Can I work out of state?

This question is more complex than it looks. First of all, I don't know what you do, if you're in a union, or what state you live in.

When it comes to working out of state, different unions have different rules for working out of state. So if you're in a union, check with a business rep. If you're not in a union you can work any non union work you want in any state. However, if you want to work in a union state and you're not in the union you probably won't be able to work union jobs. There are exceptions so check with the local unions.

I know it's a round-a-bout answer, but with such little information, it's what I've got...

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

Sunday, April 1, 2012

This Blog Ends Today

April Fools...

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1118: How do I take a year off and come back if I want?

I have been getting many questions like this lately. People who want to take time off for various reasons like: they need to make money other ways, they are disillusioned by their lack of success, they are no longer feeling the passion they felt when they got into the business.

I've shared leaving acting on several occasions, and like the quote in The Godfather, "they pulled me back in", but leaving the business altogether isn't a move I've made yet.

That said, I've coached people who have left for health reasons, to take care of a family member of for many of the reasons above. So I know it can be done successfully.

How do you do it? You live your life day to day. And if in living your life you decide to leave, you do so, living each day to the fullest. If your life goes in a direction that fulfills you, that is all anyone can ask for. On the other hand, if you wake up one day and want back in, you sharpen your skills, get up to speed on new technology, sign up for the trades you've stopped reading, and call all the people you've been out of touch with and say...

I'M BACK!

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

Friday, March 30, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1117: How many jobs do I need b4 I start a resume?

In the case of having less than a page worth of credits, people get concerned with how it looks.

The bottom line is, when you have very few credits you must be creative in how you present them. It's too early for a "standard" industry resume if you only have 2 credits.

Also at this early stage you will be hired primarily by people with whom you have a relationship or people who are doing freebies and don't care about resumes.

Focus on people not on your resume at this point.

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

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1116: Should I join an industry hockey team to network?

I have to admit, I'm a little perplexed by this question because it seems blatantly obvious to me, so I'm wondering what's underneath that would stop you.

If you can't play hockey and you join the team just to network I would say no. However, if you know someone on the team, go to watch and support the guys.

If you can play hockey are you asking if it's inappropriate to network? Because if you are the answer is:

Networking doesn't have to be so pre-planned and strategic. If you are on a team with a group of industry people, concentrate on forming friendships. That's networking. If you are just joining the team to get work, don't waste your time! It is transparent when someone is not interested in getting to know people for anything other than a job.

If there is something I'm not addressing, let me know.

Hat trick!!!

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

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1115:What kind of gift is appropriate for someone who introduced me to someone who hired me?

That’s up to you. How much money are you making on the job? What relationship do you have with the person who introduced you? Gift cards, spa certificates, something specific that the person who introduced you likes and probably wouldn’t buy for his/herself. And if you are not in a financial situation to spend money, what's something you can offer to help the person? Even just being thoughtful is appreciated. What can you do that's thoughtful?

I encourage you all to be thoughtful this week. Be consciously aware of the people around you. Help a stranger, smile at someone who looks like he's having a bad day, call someone out of the blue who would be happy to hear from you, hold a door for somebody, let someone go ahead of you in line, carry a bag for someone. What else can you do?

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

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1114: Do you recommend sending postcards as thank you notes?

Since I know an actress asked this question, first I have to clarify to the other classifications, that actors make postcards with their headshot and contact info on them. Some people have the opinion that sending your postcard as a thank you note, is another way to get your face in front of the casting director.

I have a different opinion. I believe that thank you notes should be a sincere and genuine expression of gratitude. To me, a postcard with your picture, or a thank you note with your contact information is a subtle solicitation. Therefore I suggest following these steps for thank you notes:

1. Send an actual card (something that reveals something about you or something you know they like)

2. Remind the person where you met

3. Thank them for something specific

4. Add something personal to show that you were paying attention to what they were saying

5. Sign your first and last name CLEARLY

One of the reasons why people don't know what questions to ask when they meet people is because they haven't started at the end. What do you want the outcome of your meeting to be? What if the outcome you want is to be able to write an amazing thank you note that answers 2, 3, & 4? Knowing that you need to tie in something personal will create the questions you ask. Knowing you have to thank them for something specific will cause you to listen with more intention, creating deeper rapport with the person.

For those of you (and I know you're out there) who are thinking, "But, if I don't put my contact number (or picture) how will they remember who I am and know how to contact me?"

I've received hundreds of thank you notes from people. I always remember who they are. On top of that, I'm resourceful enough to know where to look for their contact information when I want to contact them.

You can follow up with "new news" on your postcard or on your letterhead, a week later. Allow yourself the simple gesture of gratitude, with a sincere thank you note, and believe me, you'll stand out.

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

Monday, March 26, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1113: How do I get into doing voiceovers?

I get this question from many actors and some non-actors with great voices which is why y Greenlight Mentor Interview for April is with a very successful Entertainment Industry Professional who juggles 4 industry careers including VO. Voice over work is one of the more challenging areas of entertainment to break into. It's a tightly knit group. Many working voice over artists own their own home studio so they can audition from their home and email it to their agent or a specific advertising agency. Some even do the jobs from home.

Voice over artists have marketing materials such as a website, and a voice over CD. There are different areas of work, such as commercials, cartoons, video games, greeting cards and animated movies.

I wish someone would re-do the voice on the awful garage ticket machines. That voice gives me the creeps.

Do your research on the voice over industry. Have informational interviews with successful voice over artists and agents who represent voice over artists. Or join The Greenlight Mentor Elite Program this month to hear my special guest interview.

While many think of it as a supplemental income job to their entertainment career, you will quickly learn that it is just as much a full-time business as anything else.