entertainment industry coach Question 394: What is golden time and why are some people against it?

Golden time means you’ve been working waaaaaaaaay over time and the production has to pay you lots of money. Some people are against it because they are sacrificing their health, time with family, and in tragic cases their lives, due to excessive hours and lack of sleep. This is a very serious subject for me because my first day of work at the Cinematographers Guild, a camera assistant fell asleep at the wheel and lost his life leaving behind his wife and young children. Google "Brent’s Rules" to find out more about the subject. Making lots of money is great, but you have to know your limits and know when you’re too tired to drive home.

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 393: How many times can I call someone in a week if the job is coming up in 10 days?

Ohhhh boy! Tread lightly my friend. I know you’re anxious because time is winding down, but bombarding someone with phone calls is a risky (and not in a good way) strategy. Instead, if you have mutual colleagues who can make a recommendation call on your behalf, they may help your case, or find out if the position has already been filled.

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 392: What kind of gift is appropriate for someone who introduced me to someone who hired me?

That’s up to you. How much money are you making on the job? What relationship do you have with the person who introduced you? Gift cards, spa certificates, something specific that the person who introduced you likes and probably wouldn’t buy for his/herself.

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

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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

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entertainment industry coach question 390: How do I get into doing voiceovers?

I get this question from many actors and some non-actors with great voices. Voice over work is one of the more challenging areas of entertainment to break into. It's a tightly knit group and they try to keep it that way. Many working voice over artists own their own home studio so they can audition from their home and email it to their agent or a specific advertising agency. Some even do the jobs from home.

Voice over artists have marketing materials such as a website, and a voice over CD. There are different areas of work, such as commercials, cartoons, video games, greeting cards and animated movies.

I wish someone would re-do the voice on the awful garage ticket machines. That voice gives me the creeps.

Do your research on the voice over industry. Have informational interviews with successful voice over artists and agents who represent voice over artists.

While many think of it as a supplemental income job to their entertainment career, you will quickly learn that it is just as much a full-time business as anything else.

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 389:As a coach/industry person, what's a mistake you made that I can learn from?

I think all of our lessons are different, so I would have to know what you're doing to be able to advise you on what to continue and what's not as effective. But, you did ask me personally, so I'll tell you. Maybe it's just because I'm feeling nostalgic because I'm home and seeing friends whom I haven't seen in over a decade, but I'd say the biggest mistake I've made is putting TOO much emphasis on my work.

Follow up is the make or break of business relationships, so you can learn from that. I do a great job with following up with business contacts, however, when it comes to following up with personal relationships or taking the time out to vacation and see friends, I haven't done a good job at all.

The good news is, now that I see what I'm missing, I can change it. I've always taken relaxing spa-type vacations as opposed to coming back East to see my friends. I think we can mix the two. Once a year, plan a 4-day spa vacation (I can probably stay longer but they all have kids) so we can all see each other.

There is something SO special about being with old friends; reminiscing and sharing how everyone's lives have grown, the good the challenges... it's invaluable.

That's a mistake I made, and I plan to change it. You can learn from this, or you can apply it to your business by evaluating how you follow up with work friends/collegues.

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

entertainment industry coach question 388: Is it better to pursue multiple areas of entertainment or focus on just one?

That really depends on you, your talent, and your ability to manage your time. There are plenty of slashers ( / / / ) out there. People run into trouble when they become Jack of all trades, master of none. But look at how many talented people out there act, direct, write, produce, shoot, etc.

If they can do it, maybe you can too. Only you can tell if you are mastering the arts or spreading yourself too thin.

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 387: What's the best way to find out about jobs without an agent?

Here's what most people do: They look through the trades or online and "cold" submit. The problem with that is, the people who get the cold submissions are being bombarded, because if you found it, so did many others.

You've heard me say it over and over!!!! Contacts CONTACTS CONTACTS!!! You are going to get jobs through the people you know. An agent isn't the answer to getting you work. They get +10% because YOU are 100% responsible for your career. Research what jobs are out there and then do your 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon to figure out who you know who knows somone who is connected to that production.

Network, research, preparation, follow through, professionalism. All ways to get work without an agent.

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

entertainment industry coach question 386: I submitted for a show, when I show up for the audition should I bring my material with me?

I was aksed this question last night during a radio interview. The young lady had sent in a picture & video for a show and wanted to know if on the call back she needed to bring these materials with her.

My advice is, it's better to be overprepared. Bring the picture and video with you. If they ask for it, you will show that you are prepared and professional. If they don't ask for it, then they don't need it.

You will feel more confident going in for an interview or an audition when you are as prepared as possible.

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

entertainment industry coach question 385: do you suggest living in one state and flying to LA to work?

I don't make any suggestions when it comes to people's personal lives. If you can easily make that commute (get to work on time, get flights when needed, not have flight delay problems) and have enough contacts that you get called to work in LA when you live somewhere else, then it's a decision for you to make.

There are union rules about living in one place and working in another, so be sure to research those. You also have to consider the types of projects you'll be working on; how long will they keep you away from home and where will you stay, how often might you have to commute, etc.

entertainment industry coach question 384:Will Bret Michaels win the Apprentice?

Great you had to ask this on a day that I just gave two seminars in NY, and now they're going to tune into this blog and wonder what the heck is going on? So, to get them up to speed... ever since the Bear Grylls question a few months back, I agreed to answer a few kooky questions every once in a while.

If I were a betting man, I'd say, No. Bret will not win. But because I don't bet and I am not a man, I will so, yes. He rocks! And I had a door poster of him over my bed in college, which is a sure sign that he was meant to win the Celebrity Apprentice.

Y'all know I'm SO jetlagged, right? I'm going to wake up tomorrow and wonder who hyjacked my blog!