Question 68: What do I need to know about the Upfronts?

Here's the Wikipedia description of the upfront: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upfront

In the North American television industry, an upfront is a meeting of television network executives with the press and, more important, with major advertisers. It is so called because it signals the start of an important advertising sales period, allowing marketers to buy commercial airtime "up front", or several months before the season begins.

In the United States, the major broadcast networks' upfronts occur in New York City during the third week of May, the last full week of that month's sweeps period. The networks announce their fall primetime schedules, including tentative launch dates (i.e. fall or midseason) for new programming, which may be "picked up" the week before. The programming announcements themselves are usually augmented with clips from the new series, extravagant musical numbers, comedic scenes, and appearances by network stars, and take place at grand venues such as Radio City Music Hall or Carnegie Hall. Most cable networks present earlier in the spring since they usually program for the summer months; press attention to these announcements is usually much lighter.

What do you need to know once the shows have been picked up?

1. Soon after writers and crew are hired

2. As the writing staff are working, it's a good time for actors to be planning their strategies for episodic work

3. Executives are VERY busy getting everything lined up- not a good time to be asking them for their time

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

Question 67: How do I stay in touch with people while I'm working? I usually get absorbed in what I am doing.

Here's how the actual question read:

You said about looking for work, "the best time to make calls is while you’re working."  Could you talk more about that?  I usually get absorbed in what I am doing and don't think to be reaching out to people during that time.

The reason I say that is because:

1. You're not calling for work, which puts you and the person you're calling at ease

2. You're far more confident when you're working, so it's a great time to be talking to people

3. YOU'RE MORE MARKETABLE when you're working! Suddenly people want you... the domino effect

Back to your question. Like you, when I tell people to make calls while they're working, I usually hear:

1. I'm too busy to make calls while I'm working

2. I don't want to look like the guy/girl who's always on the phone

3. I'm too exhausted from work to even think about making calls

4. If I'm just there for the day (dayplaying) I want to look like I'm totally focused on my job

5. I don't want to make people who aren't working feel bad by calling them to say I'm working

I could address each of these individually (and if you'd like me to, please write that in the comment section), instead I'll give you the bottom line.

If the best time to generate work is while you're working, you must be contacting people despite numbers 1-5. So, here's how you make it happen:

1. Set a goal for the day; the number of people (even if it's 1) you plan to contact. It's like making a list for the grocery store- you're focused on the items on your list, because you wrote them down. 

You're absorbed and not thinking about calling because you're not focused on it.

2. Now that you have a goal, create a plan; decide when you will contact them. Spread it out over your drive to set, your lunch hour, your breaks, your drive home (obviously being considerate of what time it is).

3. Know your call objective, so you can preface your conversation by saying, "Hey I'm on set and only have about two minutes, so I just wanted to...," and then get to your objective.

4. As part of your plan decide HOW you will contact them. If calling them just isn't possible, there's email, texting, social networking sites like Facebook. Instead of staring at obstacles, seek out ways to make it happen!

I'm sure this post has opened up even more questions for you, my wonderful inquisitive readers. So feel free to post them in the comment section and I'll get to them all.

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

Question 66: Is Facebook a good place to network?

This is a question that came up at a networking breakfast I attended yesterday, and the speaker steered the participant in another direction. 

In the famous words of Ron Burgundy AKA Anchorman  "AGREE TO DISAGREE!"

I think Facebook is a GREAT resource for networking ESPECIALLY for all of you shy people out there who hate going to networking events.

Here are just a few reasons to use Facebook for networking: 

1. Helping your social network:

- A client needed a DP to shoot his short film, starring recognizable talent. I posted it on my status, and he received more than enough responses, set up interviews with some, and hired his DP.

- A Camera Operator needed a Camera Assistant ASAP. I posted it on my status. The job was filled within minutes.

2. Creating deeper relationships with people:

Facebook gives you the opportunity to post about work/business, while also allowing them access to your personal life. Post photos of your family, pets, hobbies, etc. so people can learn what you have in common. 

They also get a sense of your personality. By reading your status updates, they will see if you have like-minded interests, similar sense of humor, share a love for Jack Bauer, etc.

3. Overcoming the distance obstacle:

If you don't live in Hollywood, you don't get to be in people's faces as much as necessary. This allows you to be a part of people's lives, wherever you live. 

4. Meeting people you want to know:

I "friended" a large number of Camera Operators who had mutual friends. I'd known their names, from my years of being the Career Coach at The Cinematographers Guild, but I'd never met them. This year, at the SOC Awards, I met them in person, recognizing them from their Facebook pictures, and walking over saying, "Hey, Facebook Friend!"    

I say GO FOR IT! 

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

 

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