question 65: What is the best way to get into Development and work your way up?

I started as an assistant, became a development associate, and then started my own production company. Others in our office started as unpaid interns. Some people make the move from an agency to development. Then, I’ve met people who’ve come from completely different industries and their interesting skills combined with excellent interviewing has landed them a job in development.

 

This no single “best” way to get in. Therefore:

 

1.    Focus on building relationships with people in development

2.    Master interviewing skills

3.    Read books on script analysis, writing coverage, and studio executive biographies 

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

Question 64: Since I freelance and move around a lot from show to show, when I do know if it's time to get rid of some old gigs on my resume?

Great question! It's time to get rid of old gigs when your resume becomes more than one page. In our industry, when people are looking at your resume, they are looking for what stands out. That may be:

1. A recognizable project

2. A recognizable person (who hired you)

3. A reputable production company

4. A special skill

5. A-list talent you've worked with

and in some cases...

6. A reputable school (or the school they went to) 

If your resume is longer than a page, weed out what stands out the least and/or what you don't want to represent you any longer. 

Publicize your strengths, weed out your weaknesses.

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

Question 63: What should I ask as starting pay?

Because I don’t know what you do or the starting pay for anything other than what I’ve done, here are my suggestions:

 

1.    Ask 5 people who hire people who do what you do, what they pay someone with your credentials

2.    Ask 10 people who do what you do what they would ask for if they were in your position

3.    Call the union that represents your classification and ask a business representative

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

Question 62: Part 2 of yesterday's question: How do I sell an idea for a script or project?

This is a GREAT question for mentors. If you have questions about mentors, let me know.

So, for now:

1. Know that you can’t protect an idea, so you have to be smart about it. You can protect a script and a bible for a project... to an extent.

2. Know who you want to sell to. Do your research. Make sure the company who has produced your genre in the past is still interested in the genre.  

3. Know that there are proper channels to take when submitting material. If you have representation, they will set up pitch meetings for you. If you don’t, you may be able to get an entertainment attorney to submit for you.

For more tips and ideas from top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit:

www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 61: If I make projects with friends or want to sell an idea for a script or project, how do I go about selling it to someone to produce?

I’m going to answer this in 2 parts because a finished project is different than an idea. 

 

Part 1: How do I sell a project I made with a group of friends?

There is no one way to do this.  Here are some ideas:

1.    Submit it to a festival (film festival for films, ITV.org for tv or webseries)

2.    Put it up on YouTube and create buzz

3.    Screen your project for decision makers

4.    Create a website and sell corporate advertising space

5.    Submit pitches for an article on your project to papers & magazines  

 

Part 2 How do I sell an idea for a script or project? Tomorrow...

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

  

Question 60: Which industry (film, television, commercial) would you say is easiest to get work in?

They are all equally as easy and as difficult to get in to.  Did that sound like Yoda? No, I'm not trying to do a Jedi mindtrick on you. The business tools and strategies for breaking into each area, are the same. The people and companies you target are different. 

The quantity and quality of your business relationships in each area will determine your fastest path to work. Here's how to determine where you're starting out:

1. Make 3 lists, one for each area

2. On each list, write down who you know 

3. Next to each person write a number 1-5 based on how well you know them

4. Circle in green, each person who can potentially hire you

If you don't know anyone and you're starting from scratch, decide which area you are most passionate about and target people who work in that area.

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

Question 59: Question: How do you know who to contact about getting a job when the job you want is not posted on any website?

I wonder how you found out about a job that isn’t posted on a site. Whoever gave you the lead is where I would start.

 

Let me rephrase this question to help a larger scope of people.

 

How do you pursue a job that you want, when there’s currently no opening?

 

You create relationships with as many people on the show/project/company as you possibly can. This way when a job does open, you’re top of mind.

 

Tips:

1.    Create a target list of 10 shows/projects/companies

2.    Contact 1-5 people per show/project/company as a mentor

3.    Continue to build and deepen the relationships

For more tips by entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit:

www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com 

Question 58: Do I really need a good academic background to make it in Hollywood?

Well, that’s what my parents told me… but that was so I’d have something “to fall back on.”

 

It depends on what classification you’re in and what kind of academic background you’re referring to. It helps for a writer to know spelling and grammar. Some below-the-line classifications like an art history or fine arts background. Directors may want a psychology degree to help them deal with the different personalities they’ll have to manage.

 

Overall, most classifications don’t need an academic background. What you do need is:

 

1.    Training in your craft/skill

2.    Marketing and sales training

3.    Business training

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

Question 57: I just moved to LA. How do I make enough money to stay here while I try to get industry work?

Well, you broke many of my rules regarding relocation (see question 31, April 3rd).

That said, congratulations and welcome to LA! This questions varies depending on classification. Actors, specifically, generally need their days free for auditioning. If you are not an actor who auditions regularly, follow the guidelines I'm about to share.

I'm going to answer this question with the assumption that you're not moving out here with a large number of contacts who can hire you, back your projects, or represent you because you're an "it-guy/gal." Therefore, I always suggest getting a job in the business.  

I know, I know... you're thinking, "but that will take so much of my time and I want to devote all of my time to my career so it launches fast!"

CUT TO:

INT. RENTED APARTMENT - FIVE YEARS LATER - DAY  

YOU looking at your life realizing how quickly time has flown by and you are still living in a rented apartment, eating ramen noodles, and bar tending.

Could you be the exception to this scene? Possibly. But if you are one of the 98% who aren't the exception, it's going to be a long impoverished road, that can lead you into dark, desperate times.

Yes, you can wait tables, bar tend, work at Home Depot, but what if you didn't? What if you took a job working at a studio, production company, agency ,or PAd on sets? By doing this, you make "some money" (generally as much as a server in an average restaurant), the advantage though, are the connections and opportunities that you would never get in "side jobs."

If you use the tools that you learn from me during one year at an industry job, you can acquire:

1. Amazing mentors

2. Relationships with assistants; tomorrow's producers, agents, writers, directors, etc.

3. Skills that will give you an edge over future competition

4. An understanding of industry politics

5. Access to the "circles of influence"  

While working at an industry job, you can continue whatever you came out here to do: write, go to acting class, build your directing reel, produce projects, edit, shoot, design...

AND should you get your break while at this industry job--you quit. There are hundreds of people in line to fill your seat at the desk. You're just going to have to trust me that a year is not a long time to devote to building your business.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit

www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com    

Question 56: How long does it realistically take to make it as a screenwriter?

First, let me re-phrase that question to add in any classification in the entertainment industry. Then let me give you the answer you may not want to hear, but it's the answer you need to hear.

There is no realistic time table, in fact there's no time table at all. I'll go even further to say there's barely a measure of someone who's "made-it." I work with Oscar and Emmy winners who are out of work. People who you view as successful, are scared of losing the ground they've gained. You've watched huge names like Travolta, Roberts, and Rourke go from huge to vanished to huge again...

Some people vanish and never make it back, some people make it, yet aren't a "household" name. So what's a person who needs more stability to do?

1. Define what "making it" means for you, so you'll know when you're there.

2. If you need a timetable, decide that. If you don't want to put a timetable on your success, plan for additional streams of income so that money is never forcing you to give up on your dream.

3. Treat the business like a business. No lame excuses for not knowing what to do. You have ME to tell you. Too many people "wish they'd met me when they first started pursuing their career." It's unfortunate I was a toddler then, but nonetheless, I'm here now and armed with information.

4. Invest in yourself and your career.

5. Surround yourself with experts.

To your success...

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit:

www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com 

Question 55: Can one get a steady job in the entertainment industry?

Is any job really steady this day and age? For the most part, positions in the entertainment industry are freelance. There are some studio and agency jobs that are contract jobs, but the reality is, nothing is truly stable in this industry. 

Some people are fortunate enough to get on a series that lasts for ten years. They, unfortunately,  have their own set of complaints.

If you were a teacher or a janitor and had tenure, your union would protect your job. In the entertainment industry, a union protects your contract and safety. An entertainment union can not guarantee/secure a job for you. Basically, you are a business owner, so the success of your business depends on you. 

Knowing this, I suggest multiple streams of income.

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