entertainment industry coach question 697:What's a great method an A.D. can use to quiet a crew on set that gets to talking between takes of scenes?

I've never worked as an A.D. so maybe those of you who read this who are A.D.s can chime in (add to the comment section)

I have worked as a producer, and I've also worked on sets for A.D.s as talent. My personal feeling is you get better results by being a morale raiser than a ball buster.

Therefore, when you get the opportunity, call a quick meeting and tell everyone what a great job they're doing and how pleased you are to have such a great crew. Then tell them, one of the best ways to get more work is by creating strong relationships and the best way to do that is by making a good impression on people who can hire you again and refer you to other jobs.

Let them know that by talking in between shots, it could give the impression to the "higher-ups" that they're not focused, not taking the job seriously, or are just unprofessional. Suggest that they stay focused during the hours of the shoot and then, hang out and have fun with each other after the day is wrapped.

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entertainment industry coach question 696:What's the easiest way to get work?

The easiest way to get work is to be born into an A-list family who support you pursuing your career.

I mean, come on. The followers of this blog would not be very impressed with you if they met you and you asked them that. Life in general, people who are looking for the "easy way" are perceived as lazy, uncommitted, and flaky.

Perhaps you meant "What is the most direct path to work?" The answer to that question is different for everyone. I can tell you to start by looking at how many people you know who are in the position to hire you. If you don't know enough people, start there. If you want to be more specific about where you are on your career path, I can give you a more specific answer.

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entertainment industry coach question 695:Is Valentines Day a good reason to reconnect with contacts?

So yesterday I gave sports as a reason to reconnect. Now, Y'all know I am good at coming up with every excuse to reconnect with people, but I have to say, that with Valentines Day, you have to be VERY careful. Only because the holiday symbolizes love. Therefore, it could send the wrong message.

So if...

New Years = Best for this year

St Patrick's Day = good luck this year

Thanksgiving = I am grateful to you for your business/as a friend/contact

Then...

Valentines Day = _______________

If you can fill in that blank with something business appropriate that can't be misconstrued in any way, then go for it... and please share!

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entertainment industry coach question 694:Is the Super Bowl a good reason to reconnect with contacts?

This was asked last year and why not throw in the Pro Bowl too, since the Super Bowl is coming.

Absolutely! While not everyone in our industry is a "sports fan," everyone can relate to the competitive nature of achieving "the big goal." After all, the Super Bowl is really "the Oscars" of football.

So reach out in the spirit of going after that BIG GOAL!

I personally, will be rooting for the Giants, even though they're not playing. What can I do? They're in my blood...

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entertainment industry coach question 693:Is it appropriate to connect to someone on Facebook who you don't know but share friends?

That's the beauty of Facebook, my friend. In fact you just reminded me to send a note to someone I met because I friended him since we had mutual friends. The irony was, I friended him based on the 3 people, whom I think the world of, so I figured he must be a great person too. Turns out he didn't even know them, but he was still a great person.

The key is to be professional. Don't just send a friend request, add a personal note saying that:

You share mutual friends and/or you're in the biz and/or something complimentary about something they've worked on.

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entertainment industry coach question 692:What happens if you're working 16 hour days and you're exhausted?

You get as much sleep as you possibly can, and make SMART choices. DO NOT drive if you are too tired. Get a hotel. Research Brent's Rule.

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entertainment industry coach question 691:Do you believe that location is the key to success?

This was based on an email sent to me that said: "I wanted to get you opinion about the location of where you live in relation to achieving success. I am based in Ohio and have been mixing sound for over 10 years now. I have worked on several successful reality shows and programs, but yet I still struggle to get to the next step. Getting more calls, and just getting my name out there. I know it can't be true that just because I don't live in L.A. that I can't be known as a first call mixer. I have many friends in the business that don't live in L.A. and are traveling all the time."

You just answered your own question. If others are doing it, you can too. The key is not location, the key is the strength of your business relationships.

I'm curious what the "next step" is that you're asking about because that could potentially change my answer. If the next step is to be the first call mixer and these are traveling reality shows, it seems to me that as long as you have strong relationships with the people who do the hiring, and therefore, you're "top of mind," it doesn't matter where your home base is. It's when they're shooting a reality show in Los Angeles and don't want to pay per diem and such, for bringing someone in from out of town, that it becomes an issue.

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entertainment industry coach question 690:Do you have to put someone's title in a letter?

It depends to whom the letter is being written. If you are writing to a network executive, or someone with a network, studio, or production company title, it is appropriate to send a business style letter. Therefore, the top left a few spaces below the date, will have the person's name, under that the title, and under that the address.

Depending on the nature of the letter you would address the recipient as Mr/Ms/Miss/Mrs or by their first name only.

When you are writing a letter to someone whose title is director of photography, it's a little formal to put that in a letter, HOWEVER, if they are in the ASC or another honorary organization, it is with respect, that you would include their membership letters after their name.

When deciding about including a title, think about what you would wear to an interview. Most crew members who interview in a business suit, "freak out" people because camera assistants don't wear business suits. So if you're a camera assistant writing to a camera operator, you probably wouldn't use his/her title, but you would put SOC after his/her name if it applies.

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entertainment industry coach question 689:What's the best way to approach referrals?

The actual question read: I am a set photographer in the film and television industry. I was recently given the email and telephone contact for two people who hire set photographers for reality television shows. How do you think the best way to approach them is? Since they probably get contacted by new people all the time.

Yes, when people are in the position to hire, they tend to get contacted by people all of the time. However, the majority of these contacts are cold calls. YOU have referrals. Therefore, the professional way to approach them is to call and say, "Hi (insert their name), my name is (insert your name), and I was referred to you by (insert referral's name) he/she thought the two of us would hit it off and should connect. Do you have time for a coffee or if you're in production, perhaps I could stop by set and just observe. I'l be happy to sign the confidentiality agreement. I enjoy doing set visits and getting to see the atmosphere of the different shows."

The person should ask what you do and then you can share. But if the person does not, don't reveal it yet. Wait until you get to meet. Bring your book or reel (out of sight) so you're ready if you're asked to share it.

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entertainment industry coach question 688:I own equipment and EVERYONE is asking to use it while offering me a pay cut?!?!

Not exactly in question form, but I get it. I am NO expert on the economy or the changes in technology, all I can say is that from a non-expert's view, I can make a few observations:

1. In an economic downturn, which I think we can all agree we've been in, but seem to be coming out of, people really don't have money to spend. So by you taking a pay cut and offering your equipment (if you have nothing else to do that could be bringing in income), gives you an OPPORTUNITY to create a new relationship with someone. The hope is that when the economy turns around and there is more money going into projects that your rate will go back up and you've built strong relationships with people during this tough time.

2. Sometimes, things change permanently. When the Steadicam first came on the scene, few operators owned it and were qualified to use it. They got paid big bucks and rental. Now, the majority of the operators I coach are qualified to operate a Steadicam and own one as well. This has saturated the market, in a negative way.

What you can do is stay on top of trends in equipment and technology. Go to trade shows. Technology is changing so quickly now, that fewer people are buying equipment, they are renting it.

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entertainment industry coach question 687:What do I make of someone who says he wants to meet with me but keeps rescheduling?

You "make" another appointment. If he says he wants to meet with you, take him at his word. I don't know what position he holds, but if he's working, he's probably very busy. Things come up all of the time, pushing you down on the priority list.

What kind of urgency did you create, if any? Do you have to meet with him because you have a deadline of some sort coming up that you want advice on? If not, there is no urgency, and that's okay. It just means that you have to be understanding about his priorities.

Until someone says NO, and tells you to leave them alone, you keep rescheduling. Also, don't put all of your eggs in one basket. Set up meetings with many people so you're not waiting on this one guy.

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