Question 85: I'm watching the Housewives of New Jersey. Is it okay for kids that young to be in entertainment?

Are you asking because you're a parent of a child who's interested in being in entertainment? I'll answer with the assumption that you are. And if you want to know for any other reason, you'll have to send a more specific question.

Is it okay? Yes, it's okay. There are laws and unions to protect minors. There are even requirements for set teachers so children on sets have time for education.

If The Real Housewives of New Jersey is your inspiration, I must point out the underlying implication of the "controlling stage mom." The entertainment industry can be hard on a child's self- esteem. There is a lot of rejection that isn't necessarily personal. I don't give out parental advice. What I will say is there are plenty examples of Stage Moms gone wrong (again, assuming you're a woman, didn't cross my mind that a dad is watching TRHoNJ). I'll say the same thing to you that I say to my clients: you've got to love it and enjoy the journey, or do something else. So, keep an eye on your child and be sure he/she loves it and is enjoying it.

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

Question 84: I don't have the reel to get work as a DP, but I'm afraid to take other work for money. Am I wrong?

The people who hire DPs are not the same people who hire you in other classifications. I don't know if the work you're referring to is within the camera department (AC, OP), as a gaffer, or something else. Unless you are working for money as another head of department (Editor, Production Designer, etc.) who are also hired by the people who hire DPs, you're okay.

Here's what I suggest:

1. Keep making money in your classification to support yourself and save for the future

2. Build relationships with the people who will know you and hire you as a DP

3. Build your reel as a DP

4. Keep the two separate unless you are 100% sure that your current crew is supportive of your desire to transition

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

Question 83: How does networking at industry social events and parties ever lead to future work?

The question continues:  I hear about this all the time, but can’t figure out how this all works exactly. This may be extremely naïve of me, but how does this ever happen? How could an introvert who prefers one-on-one meetings, not feel socially awkward at these larger gatherings? 

The way it works is that people hire people they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST. When you build relationships with like-minded people, it leads to work because people want to work with people they want to be around for the duration of a project.

For introverts, I suggest bringing a "wingman," someone who can act as an icebreaker for you. 

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

Question 82: How do I spot bulls*#t artists to prevent wasting my time and effort?

Actual bulls*#t artists are usually pretty easy to identify. The swagger in their physiology, the tonality and speed they use when they speak, and the overdramatic name-dropping.

(when in doubt about their tonality, ask them a couple of questions they have no reason to lie about; where they grew up, if they have any pets, etc. Listen carefully to the pace and tone of the answer, then see if it changes when they start talking about a project or name-dropping)

If you are still unsure, and don't have the experience to ask questions that will surely "out" their bull, then ask someone with experience. Call a mentor, explain the project, and ask what questions you should ask and what you should have written into a contract. 

(Yes, you should have a contract even if you're working for free. If you're working for free it's for footage, right? Have that in writing) 

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER:

Most people are not coming from a place of "bulls*#t." They have a dream, like you, and truly believe in their project. The problem is most people who try to get their project going, don't realize what goes into making a project from start to finish. That's why so many projects fall apart in post... or sooner. It's not bulls*#t, it's lack of knowledge, money, resources, and relationships. 

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

Question 81: What do people really want to see in a reel?

It depends on who's looking at it. There are many types of people who will look at your reel. I will address 3 types: 

The first type is the person who knows what constitutes talent in your classification. This person will be looking at your talent & skill. If it's there, then it may or may not matter if you have recognizable talent/projects on your reel. 

The second type doesn't know the nuances of what you do (ex: a writer* looking at a DP's reel). This person is looking for recognizable talent/projects, something that appeals to his/her sensibilities, and his/her medium.

The third type is looking for "his/her movie" on your reel. In other words, if his/her movie takes place in the interior of a restaurant and you're reel is comprised of a montage of interiors in a bedroom, a car dealership, a bathroom, a classroom, and a gym locker room, he/she will wonder, "Yes, but can you do a restaurant?" What are you gonna do? I know a 5-time Oscar nominee that encountered this, which leads me to...

You can't please everybody so:

1. Put recognizable talent/projects up front

2. Get other qualified people's feedback, because sometimes your opinion is biased 

3. Research your competition's reels so that the length and style of your reel is current  

*disclaimer: there are many writers who have a great knowledge of lighting 

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

Question 80: My 2 shows have been cancelled and I feel like I'm abandoning my "family" if I take a job with a new crew. Should I just wait?

The question continues: Should I just wait to see if we get another show?

Another question that I can't answer for you. What I will do, is give you some things to think about:

1. How would you feel if someone from your "crew family," who like you, was unsure of the future, decided to take a job in order to support his/her family, accrue hours to maintain health benefits, and be able to continue working? 

2. Do you consider putting all of your eggs in one basket, prudent? What if the person who hires you retires, leaves the business, or stops getting hired? Can you see benefits to working with multiple crews and expanding your "family?"

3. If you accepted a job and then your "crew family" got another show, would the feelings that would bring up for you, outweigh the feelings of being out of work because you waited and they didn't get a show? 

4. Remember, as your network expands, so does your crew family's.

This is a tough decision because you do create "crew family bonds," sometimes stronger than the ones with your actual family. Personally, I am always happy for my "crew family members' successes." I never take it personally when they have to move on to keep growing. I've seen too many people put their eggs in one basket to ever make that mistake myself, though I do have a core group of people that if I had a choice, I would work with for the rest of my life.  This industry is as unpredictable as life though, and it's times like these when you must choose.

Communication is key, as is trusting your instincts, and maintaining your integrity.   

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

www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 79: I am astonished by the amount of things you do each day and each week and wonder how you do it.

The question continues: ... How do you prioritize between doing one thing and another? What criterion do you use to make that decision? 

My criteria is simple: 

1. What is my "fastest path to cash?" In other words, what must be done immediately to grow my company and help my clients succeed?

2. Deadlines given to me by  others in order to market myself aka articles, seminars, interviews, etc.

3. Then I have my specific must-do commitments, like my commitment to answer a question on my blog everyday

4. Once my business "business" is done, I prioritize my entertainment industry career to-dos. I only give my entertainment career about 10% of my time. That time though, is spent working SMART, not hard

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

Question 78: 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.

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.

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

Question 77: Is it true that if I take a vacation I'll get called for work?

The question continued...

"because I haven't taken a vacation in two years, nor have I gotten much work. I really need a vacation!"

I'm going to answer this question with a story...

When I graduated college, my graduation present was a trip to Club Med. At the time, it was the BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. I really wanted to go and be a Club Med Counselor... BUT, the time commitment was 6 months. I was convinced that if I missed 6 months of pursuing acting, my career would be over. I did not become a counselor for Club Med. I did not book any acting jobs during that time or the four years after. 

I can look back now and see what a small chunk of my life those 6 months were. Who knows the memories I could have created.

I'm not really one for shoulda coulda wouldas, so that said, take a vacation. Create some memories. This is your life. If you get called for a job and you're out of town, refer someone you know. You get a vacation and the chance to help someone else. You only live once. Enjoy it.  

Question 76: 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.

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

Question 75: Why do your answers sometimes contradict themselves?

This is what I get for asking for something to sink my teeth into. Here goes...

While it may seem that my answers sometimes contradict themselves...

For example:

In one situation I inform you how to be extremely prepared

In another situation I suggest that you fly by the seat of your pants

... they, in fact, do not contradict each other because I'm speaking to different people. 

You see, there is no 1 correct way to do something. One person's obstacle may be a walk in the park for someone else. What someone needs to do early in his/her career is very different than someone who has a track record that can be turned into a marketing campaign.  

What's important is not focusing on the "contradictions" but instead figuring out which answers apply to you at this point in your career.  

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