entertainment industry coach question 725: How do you get to go to the Oscars if you're not nominated?

I assume you're not a star who would be a presenter either. There actually is a way to attend if you aren't invited. You can be a seat filler. Research it, and get yourself a nice dress (or tux).

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entertainment industry coach question 724: Is it okay to walk up to someone you know from Facebook but never met?

Is it okay? It's the beauty of social media. On Friday I was at a networking event and a guy walked up next to me and I instantly thought I knew him, like he was my buddy. Before he could introduce himself, I said, "Facebook friend!" We talked for a while, and it was so easy because he does comment on my posts so we know things about each other. Isn't that what a friend is? Someone who knows what's going on in your life and cares enough to talk to you about it. These days it doesn't have to be a phone call or an email. It can be someone in your Facebook friends who was once a stranger, telling you that he/she sends good thought to you when you've lost someone, or tells you to eat when you post that you haven't eaten all day, or has an Anchorman quote showdown with you on your wall.

I find the industry getting much smaller thanks to Facebook. Last year I attended the SOC awards at which many of the members in attendance were at the time, only Facebook friends. Now they've become friends and business associates.

Absolutely walk up to the person and say, "hey, we're Facebook friends!" BUT as always, be professional about it. If the person appears to be having an important business lunch--- not the time.

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entertainment industry coach question 723: How can I meet Casting Directors?

This was a question asked of me last night at a networking event, by a very charming young man. Our conversation didn't start out about his acting, it started out regarding his book which became a best seller. It's subject matter, imitates what my favorite writer did 30 years ago, so I was instantly pulled into the conversation. As we got further into the discussion and he brought up acting, I asked him the first question I always ask, "how many people do you know in the entertainment industry." His answer was 300 (that's 100 more than the "sweet spot"). Now I knew something was missing. How can he know so many people and not be making any progress.

Naturally I asked him my next question, "how many casting directors do you know." He floundered for a moment then said, "one, sort of." AH HA! Mystery solved. So naturally he asked me how he was supposed to meet casting directors. I told him I'd answer him in my blog.

1. Ask the people you already know to give you referrals to the casting directors they know

2. Build relationships through casting director workshops (there's a whole strategy to this, but you have to coach with me... I can't give you all of my secrets for free)

3. Offer to do an internship in casting directors' offices

4. Attend networking events that involve casting directors

5. Join philanthropic organizations that casting directors are a part of

Yes, you have to do research for 4 & 5. Remember casting directors are people, treat them with respect and always look to create a win/win.

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entertainment industry coach question 722: How do I know if someone has un-friended me on Facebook?

You just go to their page and if it says, "add so-and-so" as a friend, and he/she had been a friend, you've been unfriended.

There are many reasons why someone "un-friends" you, other than their significant other no longer wants you writing on their wall or you're a stalker. I chose to answer this question today, because 4 TIMES this week, I've had people put their dang links on my wall without my permission. The first three I un-friended immediately. The fourth, I wrote on her wall "my rules" if you will. She just became my friend so she hasn't seen my rants about Facebook Etiquette. Maybe she won't like my rules and un-friend me. But here's the deal people.

I was also informed that some people have been hacked, hence the people posting on my wall about getting a free iPad. These should be marked as SPAM, and if you care, you can let the person know that he/she has been hacked and should change his/her password (Thank you to Andrea for clearing that up for me).

BE PROFESSIONAL ON FACEBOOK!!!

1. Quit hitting work colleagues with pillows, sending them prayers, and offering to plant crap in their garden! I don't care about your Mafia Wars!!!!

2. DO NOT ADVERTISE (yes advertise because that's what you're doing when you put your link on MY wall) without permission. Anyone want to check out Juliet Landau's documentary on Gary Oldmanhttp://www.julietlandaustakeflight.com./ go ahead, and she can post on my wall, because she's my client and has my permission.

3. DON'T POST your party pictures that make you look like a moron or a slut (even if you think you look hot in the picture). Now I post my pictures from Halloween or with heavy metal groups because people in the industry who like heavy metal, connect with me on that.

I'm not trying to be mean, and the girl who posted on my wall has already apologized. I just want you to realize how these actions can REALLY HURT YOUR CAREER. She's still my friend. The other 3... got the boot (steel tipped for my heavy metal followers).

And to think, my questionee was just wondering who was de-friending him. Don't worry about who doesn't want to be your friend, focus and nurture the friends you have by being respectful and professional.

entertainment industry coach question 721: Do people have careers in entertainment anywhere else besides Hollywood?

Yes. I don't know how old you are or how small of a town you live in, but entertainment happens all over this country... all over this world. You must have access to the internet because you emailed me. There's a search engine (www.google.com). Put in where you live and entertainment organizations and see what comes up.

This year, I'm traveling to at least 15 production states across the US. To everyone reading this, if you are so inclined, please email me: where you live and what your biggest work challenges are, so I can tailor my speaking engagements to your city. AND if you are a part of an organization, or a community and would like me to come and speak, send me an email.

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entertainment industry coach question 720: How does being on a set differ from being in class?

It's a whole other world. Class is nurturing, it's practice, it can be "time-indulgent." On set, things happen fast. People aren't necessarily giving you feedback or positive reinforcement. You have to be at your most confident on set. You have to make your choices and leave self-talk and self-doubt behind. My coach Brad William Henke, a successful working actor, says to think about how much work goes into preparing for an audition and then the actual audition takes minutes (This applies to preparing for interviews for other classifications). IT can go just as quickly on set.

Sometimes on set you don't get a second take. Do your work before hand and be prepared to do your best and do it fast. There are also a lot of distractions on set that aren't in class (unless you're in Brad's class where it's all part of his teaching). You can be in the middle of your scene and see people walking around in the background, a cell phone can ring in the middle of your line and you have to start over, or you can do an amazing take and the focus was soft so you have to do it again. You may not even be told that's why you're re-doing the take.

This is why you see the same people hired over and over, because they know how to work on set. That's why I recommend set visits so you can familiarize yourself with the pace, and the lulls.

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entertainment industry coach question 719: What order should I do everything in?

This was one of the questions from one of my Mentor Elites, so I'm going to generalize it because the answer is beneficial to everyone. The question was in regards to the different action guides and business tools she was given and she wanted to know "the right way" to do it.

The reason I'm bringing this question to your attention is because, everyone's way is different. There are so many business tools, coaches, articles, mentors, marketing outlets, classes, etc., out there that you can literally get "stuck" if you're a perfectionist and want to do it right.

The most important thing is to be doing something to move you forward. Don't worry about orders, or getting it right, just move forward.

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entertainment industry coach question 718: is it hindering my networking by not publicly letting people know where I am?

It only hinders you if you can't be where you're wanted when you say you're going to be there. If your contacts think you're in LA and give you a 9am call, and you decide to fly in from Texas but your flight gets cancelled because there weren't enough reservations, that will certainly hinder you.

On the other hand if you are in an area where there is a lot of production and you have the opportunity to work as a local there and you are not creating relationships there because you're afraid "word" will get back to your other contacts, that can be hindering as well.

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entertainment industry coach question 717:How do I get noticed without dressing like Pam Anderson?

What you're saying is, you're not into the fashions of Barbed Wire or Baywatch? Got. It. Usually, when you're "getting noticed" for what you're wearing (unless it's because the person is in rapport with you because you have the same style) it's a bad thing.

SO how do you get noticed? By talking to people about what you're passionate about, opening up about yourself, and sharing personal stories. That's how you get noticed because you're being yourself and people can connect to you.

I know, I make it sound so easy, but you know what? It really can be that easy... so start talking!

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entertainment industry coach question 716: How do I walk up to someone at an event who is bombarded by people?

You come up with something specific and unique to ask (that you really want answered), and push through the crowd, and say, "I don't want to keep you too long with all of these people waiting, so a quick question for you___________." The person gives you the answer and you're on your way.

Then you follow up with him and remind him that you were the guy/girl who asked him the question about ___________ and you've implemented his advice and could he answer a question about what you should do next...

It takes 3 conversations to create a relationship, so walking up to someone after a screening, a Q&A, or at an event, and simply telling him/her that you're an admirer and then walking away is a complete waste of time. Sure it's fun to tell your friends back in Jersey that you spoke to Robert De Niro, but it doesn't help your career if you have no plan for follow up.

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entertainment industry coach question 715: I've been in the biz for 35 yrs how can you coach when every thing's changed?

I imagine in your 35 years in the business you've seen many periods of change, including multiple strikes, runaway production, ever-changing technology. With all of these changes how can I not coach? You see, the new people breaking in, haven't been through what you have, so they are going after their careers like "this is the way it is." For them, I coach them on the basic business tools to grow their business that EVERYBODY needs, no matter the climate or changes of the industry.

I do my best to keep up with the changes by speaking to Centers of Influence in the Industry and communicating what I'm hearing and how you can prepare for changes. For people like you, who've been in the industry a long time, I must (pardon the expression) "teach old dogs new tricks." Most people don't like change and resist it too long, hoping that the "money-spenders" will come to their senses and keep things as they were. By the time they realize that's not going to happen, a new crop of ____________(insert your classification) have jumped on the "change" bandwagon, and are getting hired on the jobs that used to be yours.

So I coach people who want to embrace the changes, move with them, and keep working. I also coach people who are starting from right now, empowering them with tools that will help them through future changes which they will encounter. As a coach, I change with the times too. Do you think a decade ago I was coaching clients to market themselves with social media? No. The people who are resisting the change, "fighting joining Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, & YouTube" are losing out on massive opportunities and losing work because of it!

If you are resisting change, and frustrated that things aren't what they used to be, I suggest you change your attitude and start looking for ways to be a part of the change.

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entertainment industry coach question 714:How am I supposed to keep up with all the TV shows when they get cancelled so fast?

Actors are told to know ALL the shows because they need to know the tone when they audition (this was sent to me by an actor). Every classification that works in television needs to keep up with the shows so that you know the tone, the crew, the genre, etc.

How do you keep up? Bottom line is, if you watched every show you'd have no time to pursue a career. Watch the pilots. That will give you a pretty clear idea of the show. Don't get too caught up with keeping detailed notes on everything. Target 20 shows to begin with and if 2 get cancelled, add 2 more. Use resources like Hulu.com. YouTube, and the network websites to catch a show that you get called in for and may have missed. This applies to you non-actors for when you have a meeting with someone whose show you've never seen.

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