entertainment industry coach question 730: HAPPY TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!

Okay, so it's not a question, but I have to acknowledge myself for blogging everyday for 2 years. I also want to thank all of you who continue to send me questions.

And since I make sure that my blogs have value for you, the point of this blog is acknowledgement. It is important to acknowledge the people who contribute to you as well as acknowledging yourself.

This week, write down 3 of your successes every day. It's just a week and if it makes you feel good keep it up...

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entertainment industry coach question 729:Is it okay to talk biz at a dog park when the person is there for his dog?

It sounds to me like you recognize someone famous who goes to your dog park. I'm making that assumption because you're asking if it's okay to talk to someone about business and how would you know he's in the business unless you talked about it already. So you recognize someone. Instead of just walking up and going straight for the business talk, talk about your dogs, build a relationship. Eventually, you can bridge the gap, because obviously if you recognize him, he knows he's famous and that you know who he is (unless you're the character from Knotting Hill who didn't know who Anna was when she came to the birthday party)

The bottom line is, when you bring up business, do it in a professional way where you're asking about something that will help you move forward. Just spewing out fan banter, may cause him to change the time he comes, or change dog park completely. Okay, I'm tired. You get it. If not, write me back and I'll revisit after some sleep.

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entertainment industry coach question 728: Where are some places in LA where industry people hang out?

The question continues: "I am looking for coffee houses? Bars? Restaurants? Markets? Dog Parks? Parking meters? Etc. I want to network but really don't know where to go. I have post cards that I want to place at strategic locations. Any suggestions would be great."

"Places where people hang out" is a very general question and as my readers know, I am very specific and strategic. First you have to ask yourself, "who is my target market?" Because I can tell you where actors hang out, but if you're an actor, actors don't hire you. So really your question could be, "where do casting directors, producers, directors, and executive producers hang out?" If you're another classification you'd ask the same question based on the people who hire you.

Once you know your target market, then you can research the entertainment organizations, philanthropic organizations, clubs (and I mean sport, nature, parent type clubs not Sunset strip clubs), unions, etc., where they congregate.

As far as leaving postcards around, that's like a needle in a haystack. People who are hiring have so many relationships with people who are inviting them to things. Why would they pick up a postcard of a complete stranger and say, "I think I'll take 3 hours out of my valuable time, to go see this stranger." Not to say it can't happen, but you can spend your money and time in a better way.

Again, you're better off taking those postcards to a networking event and handing them to people once you have a conversation with them and build rapport.

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entertainment industry coach question 727:How do I get a mentor if there are only a few people who do what I do...

"...and I already know as much as they do?"

This brings up a very universal issue. When it comes to getting mentors, while it's great to have mentors who are doing what you want to be doing already, if you are in this person's position, at the same level, they're not the type of mentor you need.

In this case you'd be seeking out business advice and guidance from either:

1. The classification of people who hire you (so unless you know everybody who hires your classification, this type is good for you)

or

2. Any parallel classification who gets hired by the same classification as you. For example: If you're an Editor, a parallel classification (ones who also get hired by producers and directors) would be a DP, Production Designer, Actor, Writer, Key Hair & Makeup, etc. Why? Because if they are successful, they can give you advice on what they do. You're all in the same boat, just different classifications.

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entertainment industry coach question 726: Did you think the Oscars were lame?

No! I don't know how this is going to help your career, but I really enjoyed them! I'm not quite sure if James Franco was completely there, but he is a character. He goes from an exceptional performance in Milk to General Hospital (where when featured on The Soup, I thought it was a joke... apparently it wasn't) and now nominated for and hosting the Oscars.

Anyway, I really enjoyed it! I got to see Wally Pfister win for Cinematography, I laughed a lot, Chuck sang, Gwenyth sang from my favorite soundtrack(and quite frankly my favorite movie of the year despite not being anyone at the Academy's) and I liked the acceptance speeches.

The kids at the end were cute...

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entertainment industry coach question 725: How do you get to go to the Oscars if you're not nominated?

I assume you're not a star who would be a presenter either. There actually is a way to attend if you aren't invited. You can be a seat filler. Research it, and get yourself a nice dress (or tux).

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entertainment industry coach question 724: Is it okay to walk up to someone you know from Facebook but never met?

Is it okay? It's the beauty of social media. On Friday I was at a networking event and a guy walked up next to me and I instantly thought I knew him, like he was my buddy. Before he could introduce himself, I said, "Facebook friend!" We talked for a while, and it was so easy because he does comment on my posts so we know things about each other. Isn't that what a friend is? Someone who knows what's going on in your life and cares enough to talk to you about it. These days it doesn't have to be a phone call or an email. It can be someone in your Facebook friends who was once a stranger, telling you that he/she sends good thought to you when you've lost someone, or tells you to eat when you post that you haven't eaten all day, or has an Anchorman quote showdown with you on your wall.

I find the industry getting much smaller thanks to Facebook. Last year I attended the SOC awards at which many of the members in attendance were at the time, only Facebook friends. Now they've become friends and business associates.

Absolutely walk up to the person and say, "hey, we're Facebook friends!" BUT as always, be professional about it. If the person appears to be having an important business lunch--- not the time.

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entertainment industry coach question 723: How can I meet Casting Directors?

This was a question asked of me last night at a networking event, by a very charming young man. Our conversation didn't start out about his acting, it started out regarding his book which became a best seller. It's subject matter, imitates what my favorite writer did 30 years ago, so I was instantly pulled into the conversation. As we got further into the discussion and he brought up acting, I asked him the first question I always ask, "how many people do you know in the entertainment industry." His answer was 300 (that's 100 more than the "sweet spot"). Now I knew something was missing. How can he know so many people and not be making any progress.

Naturally I asked him my next question, "how many casting directors do you know." He floundered for a moment then said, "one, sort of." AH HA! Mystery solved. So naturally he asked me how he was supposed to meet casting directors. I told him I'd answer him in my blog.

1. Ask the people you already know to give you referrals to the casting directors they know

2. Build relationships through casting director workshops (there's a whole strategy to this, but you have to coach with me... I can't give you all of my secrets for free)

3. Offer to do an internship in casting directors' offices

4. Attend networking events that involve casting directors

5. Join philanthropic organizations that casting directors are a part of

Yes, you have to do research for 4 & 5. Remember casting directors are people, treat them with respect and always look to create a win/win.

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entertainment industry coach question 722: How do I know if someone has un-friended me on Facebook?

You just go to their page and if it says, "add so-and-so" as a friend, and he/she had been a friend, you've been unfriended.

There are many reasons why someone "un-friends" you, other than their significant other no longer wants you writing on their wall or you're a stalker. I chose to answer this question today, because 4 TIMES this week, I've had people put their dang links on my wall without my permission. The first three I un-friended immediately. The fourth, I wrote on her wall "my rules" if you will. She just became my friend so she hasn't seen my rants about Facebook Etiquette. Maybe she won't like my rules and un-friend me. But here's the deal people.

I was also informed that some people have been hacked, hence the people posting on my wall about getting a free iPad. These should be marked as SPAM, and if you care, you can let the person know that he/she has been hacked and should change his/her password (Thank you to Andrea for clearing that up for me).

BE PROFESSIONAL ON FACEBOOK!!!

1. Quit hitting work colleagues with pillows, sending them prayers, and offering to plant crap in their garden! I don't care about your Mafia Wars!!!!

2. DO NOT ADVERTISE (yes advertise because that's what you're doing when you put your link on MY wall) without permission. Anyone want to check out Juliet Landau's documentary on Gary Oldmanhttp://www.julietlandaustakeflight.com./ go ahead, and she can post on my wall, because she's my client and has my permission.

3. DON'T POST your party pictures that make you look like a moron or a slut (even if you think you look hot in the picture). Now I post my pictures from Halloween or with heavy metal groups because people in the industry who like heavy metal, connect with me on that.

I'm not trying to be mean, and the girl who posted on my wall has already apologized. I just want you to realize how these actions can REALLY HURT YOUR CAREER. She's still my friend. The other 3... got the boot (steel tipped for my heavy metal followers).

And to think, my questionee was just wondering who was de-friending him. Don't worry about who doesn't want to be your friend, focus and nurture the friends you have by being respectful and professional.

entertainment industry coach question 721: Do people have careers in entertainment anywhere else besides Hollywood?

Yes. I don't know how old you are or how small of a town you live in, but entertainment happens all over this country... all over this world. You must have access to the internet because you emailed me. There's a search engine (www.google.com). Put in where you live and entertainment organizations and see what comes up.

This year, I'm traveling to at least 15 production states across the US. To everyone reading this, if you are so inclined, please email me: where you live and what your biggest work challenges are, so I can tailor my speaking engagements to your city. AND if you are a part of an organization, or a community and would like me to come and speak, send me an email.

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entertainment industry coach question 720: How does being on a set differ from being in class?

It's a whole other world. Class is nurturing, it's practice, it can be "time-indulgent." On set, things happen fast. People aren't necessarily giving you feedback or positive reinforcement. You have to be at your most confident on set. You have to make your choices and leave self-talk and self-doubt behind. My coach Brad William Henke, a successful working actor, says to think about how much work goes into preparing for an audition and then the actual audition takes minutes (This applies to preparing for interviews for other classifications). IT can go just as quickly on set.

Sometimes on set you don't get a second take. Do your work before hand and be prepared to do your best and do it fast. There are also a lot of distractions on set that aren't in class (unless you're in Brad's class where it's all part of his teaching). You can be in the middle of your scene and see people walking around in the background, a cell phone can ring in the middle of your line and you have to start over, or you can do an amazing take and the focus was soft so you have to do it again. You may not even be told that's why you're re-doing the take.

This is why you see the same people hired over and over, because they know how to work on set. That's why I recommend set visits so you can familiarize yourself with the pace, and the lulls.

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