entertainment industry coach question 705:How do I get contact information for potential mentors?

This was a question I didn't have time to answer on my tele-class call today. There are many different resources for finding contact information for potential mentors. It depends on their classification.

Start with the people you know to see if anyone is "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" to them and can get you the contact information. If not...

If they are in a union you can contact the union. You may be sent a directory, given information over the phone, or be allowed to send a letter which they will forward.

If they have a production company, you can get that information from IMDBpro, the Hollywood Creative Directory, and in some cases, Google.

Last resort would be to go through their agent if they have one. Before investing the time of researching them, call the agency to confirm that they DO forward their client's mail.www.theGreenlightCoach.com FIND ME

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

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entertainment industry coach Question 488:I met someone yesterday and want to follow up. What's the best way?

I'm going to assume this is for professional reasons because you're writing to me and not a dating coach. My first question is: did you get contact information for this person? If so, good job. If not, time to do your research. You can start by contacting whomever hosted the 4th of July party (am I going out on limb by making that assumption?) to ask for contact information. If that's not going to fly, check IMDB Pro, social media sites, or do a Google search. Your last resort will be reaching out to all of your contacts to see if anyone knows this person (the whole 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon).

If you can't find contact information, you're pretty much stuck. But let's move on assuming you can get contact information. My second question is: did you discuss anything that calls for a follow up? For example: did the person suggest a movie you should see? Then you can see the movie and follow up to share your thoughts. Did the person give you any business advice? Then you can follow up to report your results after taking action. Did you discuss any shared personal interests, like tennis, surfing, or kids? Then you can follow up to plan a day to have a friendly competition, catch some waves, or take the kids on a picnic at Griffith Park.

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

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

entertainment industry coach Question 457: Does doing a web series help an out of work actor get more work?

Any opportunity you have to act and be around people who can see that you are directable and a joy to work with can lead to numerous opportunities including work.

Last year, a handful of web series were made into network shows. I haven't checked the background on this years pick ups, but you never know where a web series can lead.

It's also your job to maximize on the opportunity of working on a webisode. Meet the cast and crew, create relationships. This town is 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. You never know who they know. The young PA whose first job it is could be related to a series regular on a series who'd be willing to mentor you.

Acting is your work, so if you're on a web series you're working. Work leads to more work. And when people ask actors' most dreaded question, "what are you working on?" you'll have an answer that you can be passionate about.

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

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

entertainment industry coach Question 391: Resume question:

“I'm now asked to either email or fax a resume if it involves a production office. I usually choose the fax because I figure several people might see my name, recognize it, pass it around and hopefully it will get to the DP. In my efforts to go green I'm trying to shrink my resume to take less paper. But I've got lots of credits (thanks in a big way to you!!!) and I don't want to make it too small. I am emailing it to many places because they only offer that option so length is no problem -- any tips on making it stand out? I'm sending it in PDF format rather in the body of the email -- is that the best way?”

First, cover both bases by faxing the 1 pager, then sending an email saying, “In an effort to go green, I’ve faxed you my short resume as requested. Attached is the longer version.”

Second, if you want to stand out write in big letters (or in an email in big red letters) Requested by/Referred by (insert the name of person you know on the production). That’s of course if you have a referral or if it’s been requested. Do you 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon to find out someone connected to your submission.

And third, when sending a PDF, do both, in the body of the email and the attachment.

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

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at www.TheGreenlightCoach.com and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

entertainment industry coach question 346: How do I get contact information for potential mentors?

This was a question I didn't have time to answer on my tele-class call today. There are many different resources for finding contact information for potential mentors. It depends on their classification.

Start with the people you know to see if anyone is "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" to them and can get you the contact information. If not...

If they are in a union you can contact the union. You may be sent a directory, given information over the phone, or be allowed to send a letter which they will forward.

If they have a production company, you can get that information from IMDBpro, the Hollywood Creative Directory, and in some cases, Google.

Last resort would be to go through their agent if they have one. Before investing the time of researching them, call the agency to confirm that they DO forward their client's mail.

entertainment industry coach question 288: When I go home for the holidays should I bother to meet new people while I'm there (NY)?

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.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com

entertainment industry coach question 216: How do I make it as a filmmaker in NY?

The same way you make it anywhere else, including Los Angeles. The difference is, you have to work harder to find the entertainment community. When I lived in NY, I could be walking down the street next to an investment banker, an accountant, a magazine editor, a shoe designer, a PR person, a florist, a hotel manager, a taxi driver, and on and on...

In LA, you can be walking next to the same people BUT, the people are ALL 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. NY is big, and not revolving around the entertainment industry the way LA revolves around it.

So what that means for you, is that to be a filmmaker, you need to:

1. work on your craft

2. build your resume and reel

3. join entertainment industry networking groups

4. get mentors

Plenty of amazing filmmakers come out of NY, so take advantage of the fact that you are in a city where incredible talent is accessible.

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

question 87: 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. 

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com