entertainment industry coach question 588: Why would you as a career coach do a set visit?

This is from a Facebook reader who saw my post about doing a set visit on Modern Family. Well as both a career coach and an industry professional, I practice what I preach. I do set visits to see clients as well as (in today's case) to visit friends who work on shows I LOVE.

I've already blogged on reasons to do set visits, so you can read those in the archives. Here's why I personally love set visits and what I especially loved about today. When you target specific shows you love, you get to meet the people who create the "magic" and learn from the masters of the craft. I was privileged to spend 4 hours in video village observing the interaction, between Steve Levitan (Creator/Exec Producer), Adam Shankman (Director), James Bagdonas (Director of Photography) and the two writers of the episode. To witness the creative process, the "on-the-fly" problem solving which comes with every public location (and closed sets as well), and the professional yet fun way, these men handled every situation was both inspiring and invigorating. There's a reason why shows like Modern Family are great- the team making it happen.

There is so much to learn not only from a technical point of view but in addition, from the confidence of experience, how respectfully they speak to each other, how they handle the "unexpected" and turn it into something spectacular, these are gems that you can apply to your future endeavors.

Anyone with "negative issues" about set visits- you are getting in your own way! Put your ego aside and allow yourself to bathe in the inspiration that is everywhere when you surround yourself with this caliber of talent!

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entertainment industry coach question 587:I'm just wondering what you think about actors being on linked in? something I need to do?

It can't hurt to be on LinkedIn, but so far, it's more the "suit" version of social media, whereas Twitter is for Flip flops and Facebook is a Gap sundress that can be dressed up or down. I'm on it, I'm also on Plaxo, but so far the only thing that has come out of LinkedIn is my ex boyfriend finding me and turning my life upside down for about a month ;-)

To really create relationships go with Facebook, set up a profile on LinkedIn just in case someone on it is looking for you, but I wouldn't spend too much valuable time on it, unless you learn of some new way to use it that is of value to freelancers. One thing you can do if you're on it, is join some of the entertainment industry groups and comment on the conversations. Again, that is a strategy used in the business world, I don't use it because it's not where I choose to focus my time. IF their were three of me (not as in multiple personalities but more like Multiplicity), I'd have one of my "me's" commenting on blogs all day long.

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entertainment industry coach question 586: how do I approach certain people from different departments on being able to help me help them?

That should be easy enough. If you have a way to help people in other departments, they'd love to hear about it. I happen to know this person is in a classification that is one of the first hired on a project, so he can create a strategy that lets the heads of departments know that a production is about to start hiring. Now who wouldn't want that kind of help? So, really all you have to do is reach out to the people and tell them that this is a way you'd like to help them. I can't see a down side to this.

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entertainment industry coach question 585: Is there really a point to creating my own content for web series if I don't have name talent for it?

YES YES YES!!!! It's not just about selling your product, although that would be a bonus. It's about getting your brand out there. It's about having control over how people perceive you by the work you show. If you're an actor you can create the exact roles you want to play and brand yourself as such. If you're a writer it gives people the chance to hear your voice. If you're a producer or a director, you get to showcase the genre you are pursuing. If you are any other classification your goal is to find the writers and talent to showcase the genre you're pursuing.

Could you sell it? You wouldn't be breaking new ground. It's been done. And even some who didn't sell their work got great meetings out of it.

And most importantly, you're working on something, keeping your creative juices flowing, and giving you something you're passionate about to talk about. That goes a REALLY long way when you're networking.

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entertainment industry coach question 584:What if I don't have a lot of credits for a resume, is it better not to have one?

If you have at least two, put together a resume because it's the professional thing to do. It would look a little something like this (the formatting of this blog will move everything to the left, but imagine neat columns)

Joe Camera

CAMERA OPERATOR

555-555-5555

www.joecamera.com

SHOWS PRODUCTION CO DoP

Chuck (D camera) Warner Bros. Television Buzz Feitshans IV

SAW VI (C camera) Twisted Pictures David A Armstrong

SPECIAL SKILLS

Stunts; skiing, horseback riding, extreme sports, own an AG-3DA1 and a Canon 7D

EDUCATION

USC Film School

[Then to fill up space, get some testimonials from people you've worked with; DPs, OPs, 1st ACs, producers, directors, name actors]

Again, your resume doesn't get you the job, it gives you the credibility to be considered for the job. So, to cold-submit this resume may not be very effective. However, if you're taking meetings and are asked for a resume, you're handing them something that is professional, they're already getting to know you, and perhaps they'll comment on some of the testimonials and that will deepen the conversation.

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entertainment industry coach question 583: Yesterday on Buzz radio you said no dates on resumes. Can you elaborate?

I was talking about the mistakes people make on their resumes and one of them is to model a "corporate business resume." These types of resumes are done in more of a paragraph format and have the dates the person worked at each company.

As I said on The BuZz, your resume doesn't get you work, it gives you credibility. So with each word or number you put on your resume you have to ask yourself, is this something that they could say "no" to? And obviously if it may make them say no, you don't want it on your resume.

Dates can give a lot of information that people can say "no" to. For example:

1. If your first credit was in 1963, and the director looking at your resume was born in 1983, you may get passed over because the young director doesn't want an "old guy" telling him what to do.

2. If your first 10 credits are all in 2009, clearly, you just started last year. While you have ten credits, you may still be viewed as lacking experience because you've only been working for a year.

3. If your most recent credit is 2010 but before that your last credit was 2001, the person reading it may wonder, "why wasn't this person being hired?" You may have a great answer, like you left the business to care for a parent, but you may never get the chance to explain.

4. If your most recent credit is 2001, people will really wonder, why hasn't anyone hired you and a major red flag goes up.

You don't want to raise any flags, red, yellow, or otherwise. It's just safer to keep your resume simple and date free, in my opinion. Besides, if they really want to know dates, they can check IMDB.

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entertainment industry coach question 582: Do you think youth have an advantage because of their excited optimism?

The question added: I continue to understand in a clearer light where the phrase "we are our own worst enemy" comes from. Self doubt, fear, intimidation, discouragement, etc. are heavy burdens and can truly create a heavy load to carry on the journey of many a gifted artist! I suppose that perhaps this can be why successful ventures are frequently stumbled into by the confidence and excited optimism of youth ... in that nervous innocence we tend to take a more "action" oriented approach versus "thinking" about the best plan of attack and ultimately "thinking" ourselves right into another day, week, month, year, etc!!

Here's how I feel about this: Confident, excited youths don't just stumble upon success. Confidence and excitement at EVERY AGE, attracts people and opportunities. Therefore, if you are dealing with fear, self-doubt, etc, (again, at ANY age), you have to do the personal development work to shift your mindset. I've worked with people who were burnt out on the industry, beaten down by lack of acknowledgment, and ready to give up. Those who were willing to re-ignite their passion, despite their "baggage from the past," went on to relaunch successful careers.

The mind is a very powerful thing. You MUST gain control over your thoughts. Sometimes, it takes a lot of work. Other times, people are just ready... and it happens instantly. Either way, whatever your age, you can have genuine confidence and excitement about what you do and people will be drawn to you and want to work with you.

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