entertainment industry coach question 533: What is the proper way to go about sending mentor letters?

The proper way is the most direct way to get it in their hands. Therefore, there are numerous and professional ways to do it. Here are a few:

1. If you have an address for them that was given to you by a referral.

2. Through their agent (almost all agencies forward mail to their clients, but you may want to check with the agency before you write your letter just to be sure).

3. Through their production company.

4. Through their union (if their union forwards mail- check before writing the letter).

5. Through a friend, if a friend is willing to pass it on.

6. You can hand it to them personally, if you know you're going to a Q&A where they will be speaking, if they stay after to speak with people.

7. You can "friend" them on Facebook, and if they accept, send it in a personal note.

This is not in order of "the most direct way to get it in their hands." It will vary depending on the person to who it's being sent.

DO NOT- find out where they live and put it in their mail box or knock on their door

DO NOT- carry it around with you because you see them often at a local restaurant and whip it out while they're enjoying their personal time [while this has been done, it doesn't fall under "best practices"]

DO NOT- do anything that could freak them out or scare them!

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entertainment industry coach question 532:To overcome shyness, do you know of any free improv classes for non actors?

I googled free improv classes in Los Angeles and was amazed at how may places came up. Some of them may be introductory classes, but if you went to a few, learned some techniques, took some notes, and got some books from the library, you could even start your own group.

Another possibility is to post on Facebook that you're looking for an improv actor who would like to practice teaching on a group of non-actors to potentially teach actors for money.

There are so many ways to improv for free. Believe it or not, if you just strike up conversation with someone on line in front of you at the market, you could improv. Just say "yes and..." to everything they say, and you're improving. If you are really shy, make up a character who's not shy and start talking. Who cares what others think. Little do they know they're in a scene!

Have fun with it.

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entertainment industry coach question 531: What is the appropriate way to address a well known industry person, Sir, Mr.?

I am going to tell you how I personally do it and why. You have to do what feels comfortable for you.

I always address someone by their first name and introduce myself by my first name. The way I see it is, the only difference between me and Sandra Bullock are the opportunities she's had. We are both sweet gals who would get along famously, as long as I don't refer to her as "Miss Bullock." Why? because that would make her feel like I was putting her up on a pedestal. Perhaps, "Sir" Elton John, needs to be addressed as "Sir," I don't know, I've never met him, but for the most part, Steven, Marty, and Tom are people just like you and me. They put their pants on one leg at a time. Treat them respectfully as people and you're sure to get a positive reaction. If not, you're dealing with an egomaniac, and who needs that?

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entertainment industry coach question 530:What happens to the people who get voted off reality shows?

There are so many reality shows, it's impossible to say what they're all doing. My gut is that you're asking me because you're considering doing one and want to use it as a career vehicle. There have been some reality contestants who've gone on to have successful acting careers. There are others who've literally made a career as reality stars. Still others have gone on to publish books and become speakers.

There are many positive things that can come from being on a reality show. I would suggest you have a clear vision for what you want your end result to be and make sure the show is in alignment with your values.

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entertainment industry coach question 529: Can I ask people I don't know but want to know to be friends on facebook?

Of course. That's one of the great ways that Facebook helps people connect! If you are going to make a friend request of someone you don't know here are some tips:

1. ALWAYS send a personal message with the request

2. If you have mutual friends, you can mention a common friend or two in the message

3. Give a reason in your personal message, as to why you're reaching out

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entertainment industry coach question 528: How do I know if I'm bugging people?

I get this question all the time. It prompted me to write a short e-book titled: Are You a Pain In The Ass? The quickest way to answer this in a blog, that is general enough for anyone to relate to is:

1. It is your job to follow up so people expect it.

2. Put yourself in the shoes of the people you're reaching out to. If you were working a 70 hour week, had a family, hobbies, and a garage door that needed to be fixed, in addition to 50 "I'm available" calls on your answering machine, how would you like to be followed up with?

3. Are you coming from a place of confidence or desperation when you get in touch with people? I'm not asking what you "think" you're showing to people, I'm asking how you really feel deep down. Because despite what you think you're masking, it is coming through!

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entertainment industry coach question 527: What's the worst thing you can say to a person you just met who can hire you?

"Your breath stinks." "I had that shirt, but I gave it to Goodwill... oh wait, that is my shirt." "Is that your wife over there? I slept with her in film school." Seriously, there are too many bad things you can say to keep throwing them out there.

What I will say is, other than the previously mentioned, if you want to stop a budding relationship in it's tracks, ask for work. Nothing kills a conversation faster than asking a virtual stranger to hire you.

Not really sure where you were going with this question so if you want a more detailed answer, please elaborate on where the question is coming from or what is it that you're trying to sort out.

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entertainment industry question 526: How many times a year should I do an agent mailing?

Uh Oooooh.... this is one of those questions that make me go.... hmmmm. I feel like I just addressed this recently, but maybe it was in a seminar. Agent mailings are for the most part a big waste of time and money. The reason I say that is because:

1. People don't bother to consider the timing of when they're pursuing an agent and do a mailing willy-nilly like right smack in the middle of pilot or staffing season.

2. People buy a list of addresses, don't check that they're up-to-date, don't personalize the mailing to the agent in the right department, and don't spell check names.

3. People send out resumes, reels, head shots COLD. Do you know how many thousands of people are submitting to agents? It's far more effective to get referrals to agents. The time you spend getting referrals and approaching an agent in a professional way, will be worth it compared to the years of unproductive mailings.

I'm not saying that cold mass mailings don't ever work, I'm simply offering you a more effective use of your time (because it rarely works).

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entertainment industry question 525: What is the most important item to include on your resume?

Well, I can't pin it down to one thing being the most important, because without the following, you'd be seen as unprofessional and your resume would go in the trash. Include the following:

1. Your name (yes, seems obvious, but trust me...)

2. Your contact information (you do not need to have your home address ESPECIALLY if you're a woman or worked on a Star Wars movie)

3. Your credits

In your credits, you want to list the name of the project, the production company, and who hired you.

In addition, you'll want to include any special skills you have (that you truly are special at) for example: camera operating on horseback, skis, or aerial.

Education. This is optional. If you went to a film school or a school with a strong alumni (or a good football team... oh wait, that may just be what I care about).

DO NOT list courses that taught you skills that you should know as a professional. You can list equipment under skills.

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