Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1169: When should I call studio people? Do they have summer Fridays?

Why are you waiting until Friday to call someone? Everyone's hours are different. Call when you think you'll get the person with whom you want to speak in. It's as easy as that.

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Monday, May 21, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1168: Which city has the best potential in terms of finding a job (LA, NYC or Chicago)?

In order of entertainment "capitals" it goes: Hollywood #1, New York #2, Chicago #3. That said, the number of people pursuing careers are relative. The majority come to LA, next NY, and then Chicago.

Which city has the best potential? That's not really a question that can be answered. In which city do you have the strongest relationships? If none, I'd say one certain advantage LA has over the others is that everyone here is 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon to someone in the industry. Your gardner may mow Brad Pitt's lawn, your gynecologist could be married to the producer of Twilight, and your next door neighbor who you walk your dog with could wind up winning an Emmy when you didn't even know he was a director.

New York and Chi Town, you never know who you're walking next to.

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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1167: Is late 20's too late to join the party? see blog for detailed question

Actual Question: A friend has just moved out to LA from NYC and been offered a job at a great entertainment company but the pay (of course) is low. It's an assistant position with potential to grow but she's wondering if she should take it even though it's not exactly what she wants to do. She's late twenties so she's also worried that she's late to the party so to speak but knows she has to start at the bottom. What are your thoughts?

You used the word "great" when describing the entertainment company. As a coach I deal with tools and strategies. My strategy for someone in her late twenties, who wants to break into the business, is to meet as many people as she can. Working at a great company gives her access to a lot of great people. If she has the tools to make something of these relationships, as opposed to simply sitting behind a desk for a year doing her job, she can really get into a great position. Then, in a year, she can pursue exactly what she wants with 200 relationships in her rolodex. That's if she works smart.

After working in development myself for 8 months as well as coaching clients who work for producers or agencies, I highly recommend this strategy. There are a lot of benefits. I could be more specific about the benefits if I knew what type of company it is.

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Saturday, May 19, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1166: Can I call people for work now, even though I've been out of touch them?

The person who asked me this knows how I feel about re-establishing relationships first. While that is usually the case, that would mean that you would have had to re-establish in April, before the up-fronts (which were this week. Check out Cynopsis.com for the outcome).

This person did not. This person still needs to get work though. Therefore, try these tips:
1. Acknowledge the purple elephant in the room: It's been a long time since we've spoken...

2. Research what they've been doing: I know you've been busy working on Private Practice...

3. Tell them what you've been doing: I was working on XXXXX...

4. Combine the two: It's always such a challenge to stay in touch with the people you like when everyone is working...

5. Ask what else they've been up to (this can be quick small talk, or a serious catch up)

6. Tell them why you're calling: You may have heard that XXXXX was cancelled, so now I'm looking forward to getting on a new show. Do you know of anyone who is hiring or may know someone who is?

Look, is it the ideal scenario? In my book, no. But it is what it is. And the bottom line is, it is your job to look for work and people get that. Project warmth, sincerity, and confidence.

ps: actors, start re-establishing relationships with people now, BEFORE they start hiring for episodic co/guest stars.


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Friday, May 18, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1165: You say I'm 100% responsible for my career but I feel I can't control anything. What do I do?

True, there are very few things in the entertainment industry that you can truly control. When you look at other industries, though, I'm sure you'll find plenty of people who struggle with the same issue; the stock market, changing technology and trends, etc. Since I focus on entertainment let's address what you CAN control:

1. Your commitment: I always say you have to act like the CEO of your own company. Are you committed to the amount of work that goes into running a company? Are you committed to creating new relationships and maintaining old ones? Are you committed to investing in your business knowledge, marketing materials, and craft? If your answer is yes, you can control how much of a commitment you make in each area.

2. Your attitude: Politics, economy, natural disasters, work slow down, runaway production, others working when you're not, no agent, etc.,- you can't control. Your attitude toward all of the previous- YOU CAN CONTROL. Educate yourself on the nature of our industry, so you can have a good attitude, despite what ever the world throws at you. This is not about positive thinking, this is about taking control of your outlook regarding your career. If you're not optimistic about your future, then why pursue it?

3. Your choices: You have control over the friends/colleagues you make and keep, accepting the jobs offered to you, your reactions to what happens to you, and the decision to stay in this industry.

Our industry is no different than any other industry where there is potential to make big money. There is risk involved and in so, a lack of control. That lack of control is also the loophole that allows, unknown, unconnected, unexperienced people, to get their foot in the door and potentially make it big...

So embrace what you can and cannot control.

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1164: How do you pitch a character for yourself to a show?

The question was more detailed:How do you pitch a character? Who do you pitch it to? What's the proper way and more important what's the worst way?

First, let me say that all shows are different, so the "who to pitch to" is on a show to show basis. Which is why one good resources is

1. To get TV writer/producer mentors if you don't know how to get a mentor check out The Greenlight Mentor Program.

Here are some more ideas:

2. Through an agent if you have one, who has a relationship with someone on the show.

3. Through referrals from people you know to the people they know who work on shows. Now keep in mind that many writer/producers can't listen to unsolicited pitches because if they come up with a similar character they don't want to be sued.

4. Write a spec script for a DIFFERENT show, using the character you created. So find a show and write an off beat spec that includes your character. The reason I say write a script for a different show is because, if you write a spec for their show, they most likely won't read it. But if you write a fantasy SMASH where someone trips on payote and has a "musical vision" with your character in it... could be cutting edge... or could be lame like the Glee induced Grey's Anatomy Singing episode GAG! So get some feedback from good writers before submitting it.

5. Create a video blog or webseries about your character. 

Now, as far as the worst thing you can do: Be unprofessional. No one wants a "stalker" or someone who hasn't done their research. Don't send unsolicited material. Don't do 'crazy antics' to get attention, while it's important to take risks, they should be calculated risks and representing yourself in a way that gets a producer's attention as someone he/she wouldn't want on their set is not good. Do not show up at their house or production office in your costume and start performing. Note: these are my opinions. You may hear a cooky story about someone who dressed up in full knight armor and got a job on a period piece, but these stories are 1 in a million, and I don't coach to those odds.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1163: How do I work when I'm uninspired?

Maybe you don't. Maybe you're uninspired because you need a break. Or maybe you are inspired but are afraid of what will happen if you work through the fear. You reached out to me, therefore you want answers, you want more. Know what your big picture looks like. Where do you want to be in ten years? Who do you want to help? What change do you want to create? What is your purpose? Knowing these answers may not inspire you at the moment, but they keep you reaching out to people like me. They keep you in the game. Maybe that means that you take a break, or maybe it means pushing through even when you're uninspired. Just because you're not inspired doesn't mean the journey is wrong. Continue to ask for help and for answers. You may find them in the most unexpected people. And have faith that you will be inspired again.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1162: are there big networking events that get actors, directors, casting directors together like a convention?

the question continued....."How do I find them?"

The answer is yes, Yes, YES! There are many conventions like ShowBiz Expo, Actor Fest, there are others that aren't necessarily targeted to actors specifically, like the Produced By Conference which has a stellar line-up of producers, tv writers, and more, which is coming up soon in Los Angeles.

The way to find them, is to visit actor hub-sites, likeActorRated.com which has a calendar, and Actors Ink. For a more general search you can google actor conferences, show business conferences, or writer conferences like June 2nd is The Great American Pitchfest in LA where I'll be speaking (say you're a friend of mine and get a discounted entry fee). You can get more specific by googling actor conferences in (insert your city and/or state). I'll also be moderating a panel for the SOC at Cinegear Expo on Friday June 1st. 

If you're in Los Angeles or New York, the big conventions definitely come there. If you're not, you may have to travel.

As always, with big conferences, it's important to have a strategy plan. Going to a conference and handing out Head Shots, is not a plan... it's a waste of time and paper.

Another place where all these great people come together is at film festivals. Again, you want a strategic plan for attending a film festival to make it worth your time and money.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1280: I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language (cont'd)

"I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language. I  am looking to improve my comprehension when I read my text book...