Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 976:Is it stupid to invest my own money in making a movie?

You have to weigh out the possibilities and decide if it's worth the risk. Stupid is a strong word. What is your reason for making the movie? How much money would you have to spend? Do you have the relationships to get it seen once it's complete?

In other words, what is your plan? Until I know more I can't advise you any further- not that I would ever give you a yes or a no, but I could continue to give you questions that will help with your decision making process.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 975: Actors have acting class, what is the equivalent for writers?

There are plenty of writing classes and workshops. Google the keywords. Something else I've done as a writer, is to get a writers' group together where we each bring pages (once/week, two weeks, month) and have actors in the group to read or work out loud.

My acting coach Brad Henke compares class to a gym where you "work-out" your craft. Get a group of writers together who want to work-out with you!

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 974: How many years does it take to get a movie made?

There is no precise answer to that question. Each film that is made, has it's own individual timeline. It depends on so many factors. To name a few:

1. Is a studio making it?

2. Are you making it?

3. If you are making it, do you have money now?

4. How many pages is the script?

5. How many locations?

6. Are there action sequences?

7. Are there special effects?

And so on and so forth. Sorry I don't have a concrete answer for you, but like most things in this industry, there are no rules, only risks.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 973: How do I juggle family life and the 3 things I do in the industry?

You, like everyone else, in every industry, can only do one thing at a time. I mean literally, not that you have to focus on one area. So, it all comes down to scheduling. I don't know what three areas you are focused on, but in 2005, I was juggling a personal life, an 8:30-5:30 job, executive producing a tv show, writing the scripts, and starring in it.

It all comes down to time management. Some would say it is not about how much time you spend with the ones you love, but the quality of the time you spend. You have to decide what works for you and your family time-wise, and then give time to each of your passions as they "call" to you.

It feels overwhelming because you haven't scheduled the time into a calendar to see how manageable it can be.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 972: What are the best ways to pursue work out of your state since many productions are shooting all around?

The most challenging thing about pursuing work (the person who asked this question works both as an actor and in production) is that you're not available to audition or interview in person. Here are some methods that have worked for others who live in smaller production cities or in other countries:

1. Put yourself on tape. You can get sides for the auditions you want, put your audition on tape and send it to the Casting Office. (Be advised, this is something you do ONLY when it is a perfect role for you, and a big role, because most productions will not fly someone to Los Angeles for a co-star role) Note also, this is what many would consider "taking a risk." Not all casting directors appreciate this approach, but then again, they're not paying your rent and you have to do what it takes to get a job.

2. Pursue work in the closest production cities to build you resume. To do this, create relationships through referrals and mentors with people who can hire you or know people who can hire you in those production cities.

To get hired outside of your city people have to know you. So start reaching out.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 971: How reasonable is it to pursue acting and production work at the same time?

Extremely reasonable. The people who hire you for acting jobs are different than the people who hire you for PA jobs. Both require the same business tools for generating work, so you can chunk your time. For example, you can chunk out two hours to research new contacts to target. You can spend the first hour researching for acting contacts and the second hour for researching PA contacts.

Both jobs get you on set where you have the opportunity to create relationships.

What's important is to have a "passion story" for both. The reason is if someone who knows you as an actor sees you on set as a PA and asks you about it, you can tell them your passion story. An example may be that your long term goal is to be an actor with a production company so during your pursuit of acting work, you're familiarizing yourself with work on the set.

The key element is believing in what you're doing, so should anybody tell you that you can't do both, your confidence in your decision will prove that you can.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 970: What do I do when I go back to my old ways after I've worked with you?

Okay, this is one of my old clients, so I know his history. Here's the bottom line. Times are tough for some people, my business has changed, and not everyone can afford to work with me. That said, anyone who has worked with me has the tools they need to succeed. This person in particular has extraordinary tools and the ability to use them. So I will ask you this question:

What was different about how you were working when you were working with me?

Break it down for yourself. Just knowing you, I can identify 2 things that I know are different, but you have to be able to recognize them, as opposed to me telling you (and for all of you cynics out there, I'm not referring to his paying me to coach him, I'm talking about 2 specific tools he was using all of the time that I know he's stopped using).

Then you have to ask yourself, "how can I think outside of the box and reincorporate those tools into my business work, even without being held accountable by Jessica?"

My goal is not to have you coach with me forever, it's to teach you the tools, help you to master them, and then send you out into the world to be a success. Every time someone thanks me for what they've accomplished, I appreciate the acknowledgment, but remind them, that they did the work- not me.

A race car driver can thank his pit crew for maintaining his car, but he's the one who drives it to win the race. SO DRIVE, my friend... drive!

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 969: How do I network on Halloween when everyone's in costumes?

Halloween is not really a big networking opportunity if you're trick or treating. If you go to a networking party, all the more reason to be yourself if you have no idea who's under the costume. Who knows who you'll meet...

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 968: When I do BG work I bond with the AD and 2nd AD but don't know how to send a a thank you card to them.

And by BG she is referring to background work. Anytime you create a relationship with someone, you can ask for their contact information. You can be cute and say, "at the risk of ruining the surprise, I'd like to send you a thank you note. How might I send that to you?" They may respond with their address, or give you an email, or their card with the info on it.

If they say, "you don't have to do that," listen very closely to HOW they are saying it. If they are a bit stand-offish, like "I don't want to give this person my contact information," then just drop it and look them up on Facebook a week later. Send them a friend request with a reminder of where you met. If you don't know their last name, try to get a call sheet (If they are a "green set" their call sheet may be on an iPad, and you'll have to use some detective work).

If they say it in a way that they are just being modest, say, "well, I've really enjoyed meeting you and would like to stay in contact. You never know when I may be able to help you connect with someone for another job you may be seeking, etc." Then ask for a card and if they don't have one ask if they'd like to write down their contact info or connect on Facebook.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 967: What percentage of women have children and keep working in entertainment?

I don't have statistics for you nor do I believe a statistic like that exists. The question is, are you a woman who wants to have children and maintain your career in the entertainment industry?

If so, then that is your focus. Find other women in your field of expertise, who also have children. Ask them how they've made it work. The more women you talk to, the more educated your decision can be.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 966: How can I help my husband get work when I'm not in the industry?

That depends on your skill set. If your husband isn't working and he has the talent to be working, he needs help in a number of possible areas:

1. networking

2. marketing

3. selling

4. maintaining relationships

5. follow up

I have coached many couples, where the wife acts as her husband's manager. You also may want to read books on the industry so you have a better understanding of the business.

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