entertainment industry coach Question 415: What do I do if a person keeps rescheduling me? Do I just give up on him?

INT. JESSICA'S OFFICE - DAY

We see the back of Jessica's head. The camera pushes in as she slowly turns and looks directly at you.

JESSICA

Never, ever give up!

Okay that's me being dramatic, but the message is still clear. If the person is rescheduling, he hasn't said that he doesn't want to meet with you. I imagine he's giving you reasons why he has to reschedule. If he's doing it last minute, then it's up to you to decide how valuable this relationships is because you're setting aside time that could be spent doing something else.

I have seen this scenario from both sides, and in most (not all) cases, the person is genuinely busy. If he is someone who can help advance your career why would you give up? However, if you're at the point that you're tired of scheduling out your time only to be let down, there's only so much you can take.

My periodontist's office has been calling me and sending me letters on a semi-regular basis (they clearly have a structured follow-up system in place). I was ready to call my regular dentist for a cleaning this week when I got the "final notice" letter from my periodontist. It was very nice, but basically said that because I haven't responded to their calls and letters, that they're assuming I'm not going to follow through with their care, but should I ever wish to come back, their door was open.

Good follow up! I called and made an appointment for next week. I don't want to be fired by my periodontist, even if his cleanings are more expensive than my regular dentist.

Why do you care about my gums? Because it's the same psychology. When you're at the point where you're sick of being cancelled on, you can simply send a lighthearted email or leave a kind voicemail, saying, "After having to reschedule 6 times, and knowing how busy you are, I certainly don't want to be causing you any inconvenience. While it would be lovely to meet you for coffee for an hour, if this is time prohibitive to you, I completely understand. At this time, I won't ask to reschedule. Should you find in the future that your schedule opens up and you have time to reconnect, please give me a call."

Or as Donald Trump would say, "You're fired!"

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 414: Is it wrong to take a job out of town when I want filming to stay in my state?

I recently had a client with the same dilemma. I can't tell you what's right and wrong because who's to judge? What I can say is, you want to work, you have an opportunity. There are many reasons production is going to other states. I happen to know you live in California. There are groups such as http://shootmoviesincalifornia.com that are fighting to keep production in the state. If you're not already a member of the group, get involved.

In the mean time, it's not a quick fix and you want to work. That may mean going out of state. It doesn't make you a hypocrite, it makes you a business person who is doing the best to support your business while fighting for change.

The industry is always changing. Now it is expanding to other states. That may be advantages for other people who don't live in California. Again, you can't say what's right or wrong, you just have to get involved in creating the change you want to see.

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 413: How do you find out if an acting agent is legitimate?

The internet is a great resource to investigate. When in doubt, have Sag check it out. There are SAG branches in so many cities across the country. www.SAG.org. For those of you who do not know what SAG is, it is the Screen Actors Guild, a union that represents actors. If you're a member, they have a list of agents. If you're not a member, you can still call, because if there is a suspicious person out there claiming to represent actors, SAG will want to know about it.

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 412: How important is it for me to separate the different things I do (act, direct, produce, write, edit)?

It depends on the conversation you're having. If you're talking to a casting director whom you don't know very well, you want to present yourself as an actor. It's not important to them that you edit because that's not what they're hiring you for.

If you're talking to a producer as a writer/director, be careful about mentioning that you're an actor because the first thing they'll be concerned about is that you want to connect yourself to the project and it will be a deal breaker.

If you are talking to someone about partnering on an independent film that you've written, want to direct, and have a small acting role in, it would be advantages to mention that you edit because so many projects fall apart in post.

The bottom line is, you have to assess the circumstances and the relationship with the person, before revealing all of your hats.

Whatever you do, make sure you have separate marketing materials. Any business card that has all of those slashes can make someone think that you do a little of everything but don't have fabulous talent in one area.

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 411: How do I use my film credits on my film resume when the producer/director is a shady user type...

"... and I can't trust him for a work reference. Do I add the film to my resume, but explain to the next prod exec the nature of the shady producer even though that can put them off on me?"

No, No, No, No.... and in case I wasn't clear.... NO! You put the credit on your resume but you DON'T list the producer as a reference. If they need a reference from the production, find someone who will sing your praises. In most cases, if they are looking over your resume and they don't recognize the production or the producer, they're not going to be asking for a reference anyway. It's up to you to create that relationship in the interview and prove why you're the one for the job. Bringing up negative working experiences will do just the opposite. It's a total turn off!

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 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 410: Based on what you said in Q 408, can I take some time off? I’m burnt out!

Yes, you can take time off, in fact, if you’re burnt out, it’s a terrible time to be looking for work. People can sense your lack of passion. Do something exciting that you can keep people up to date on so you stay in contact with them.

entertainment industry coach Question 409: I want to cut my hair but I don’t have $ for new headshots, can I just write “short hair now”, on...

"... my current pictures?"

NO! If you want to be a professional, you have to present yourself as one. Either save up some money for new pictures or hold off on the haircut. Nothing pisses off casting directors more than calling you in for a particular look and then having you come in looking completely different. Well, maybe some things piss them off more, but that’s up there.

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 408: I gave up on my camera career 10 years ago and now I want to come back and everything’s changed. Help!

Okay, first of all you have to get up to speed on technology. Once you feel you’re ready to use the equipment then get back in touch with your old contacts. Have a really passionate story about your desire to return to the industry. I’ve coached MANY people back in. It’s totally doable.

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 407: Should I have a separate Facebook page for business and personal?

I personally don’t think so. Different people have varying opinions, but my feeling is the point of social networking is so that people get to know the personal side of you so they can learn who they relate to on a personal level. That said, don’t 0ver share. It is business. And don’t turn your FB wall into an “available list” that just makes you look desperate. I have lots of blogs on Facebook advice, so check them out.

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 406: I’m doing a scene where someone shoots me. Can I get hurt?

I will never forget the horror I felt when I heard that the gorgeous young actor Jon-Erik Hexum was accidentally killed as a result of a firearms accident. However, that was a fluke. Is it possible? Obviously. But safety precautions have tightened up because of the tragedy. Ask the stunt coordinator or firearms wrangler questions. Don’t let it get in the way of your acting.

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 www.TheGreenlightCoach.com and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

entertainment industry coach Question 405: How do I go from being a big fish in a small pond to Los Angeles?

Strategically! Do some ground work in LA before making the move. If you’re doing well where you are, save your money and start building relationships with people who live in LA. If you move here cold, with no contacts, you’ll literally be starting from nothing and it can take 2-5 years to build up your career and that’s if you’re working strategically.

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 www.TheGreenlightCoach.com and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!