Saturday, April 7, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1124: Should I go to film school?

First, let me say that this person gave me no history, so I have no idea where he/she is coming from. Having coached as many people as I have, I know this could be:

A: someone who isn't in the industry yet, and wants to be

B: someone in the industry who is not a head of a department, and wants to be

C: neither of the above

I will not be addressing "C," unless the person is neither A nor B, and writes to give me the specifics.

Let's be realistic, I can't answer this question because you have to answer it for yourself. I can advise you on what to ask yourself in order to make your decision. So, here goes...

On numerous occasions I've had clients come to me and say, "I want to move up and no one's giving me the chance. Should I go to film school?" I ask them how they see that as a solution. Here are some of the responses I get:

1. I would be forced to build up a reel (and variations that don't include force)

2. I could create relationships with other students and teachers

3. I could get mentors

4. I would hone my skills & perfect my craft

These are all good reasons to go to film school. However, you can do all of those things without film school. My old boss, a Producer, and at the time, head of the producer program at a prestigious film school, once said to me that the students could take all the money they spend on school and make a film. It would teach them everything and more.

On the other hand, when I was working with clients who made the decision to go to film school and we created a 2-3 year business plan, they had outstanding results.

For those of you not in the industry and interested, it's the same question: what do you want to get out of film school that you can't get from real world experience? If your answer is worth the time and investment, go to film school.

If you do choose to go to film school, my advice is to make the most out of it. Film school can be so much more than what you learn in class.
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Friday, April 6, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1123: What do I do if my boss won't move me up?

There are many reasons why a boss or head of a department won't move you up. I could list some of the reasons, but really, you'll never know the true answer unless your boss tells you.

The bottom line is, if you don't have a boss willing to move you up, you have to:

1. Build up your credits, in the "next-level" position, outside of your workplace/crew

2. Create relationships with people as your "new-position" so that's how they perceive you

My sister is in a completely different field, advertising sales. She started as an assistant in a large company that didn't promote assistants. She had to leave her company to get a sales job for another company. After that, she was able to return to her original company as a sales person.

It happens all over, not just in the entertainment industry.
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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1122: I made close to 300 phenomenal connections on LinkedIn, now what?

He goes into more detail about what he does and the types of contacts he's made. He is also very savvy about the business understanding that making his next step a solicitation to hear his work would not be the best move. So he wants to know what's next?

He wants to send them a professional email. Great. He also has something he can ask advice about... how to pursue a licensing deal. His concern is that he will have to point them to his songs.

Not necessarily. If you send an email, asking for their advice on three questions you have about pursuing a licensing deal (or 1 or 2 questions), that are questions you REALLY want to know the answer to, you don't have to point them to your music unless THEY request to be pointed toward it. The key to the questions (as you appear to be very knowledgeable to me based on the email you sent) is that they must be questions you don't know the answers to. And if you think you have a pretty good idea of how to pursue it, you can state that in the email, saying what you know to do, and if they can give you feedback on your plan as well as any further advice.

As written in this blog many many times before, and you seem to have a strong grasp on it--
It takes 3 conversations to create a relationship, so ask for things they can say yes to first before asking them for help with things that would cause them to put up a wall. LinkedIn isn't as social as Facebook, so do your best to get those 3 "communications" with them.


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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1121: Should I re-rate?

The question actually read, "Should I re-rate to DP?" But, because my readers are in different classifications, I'll give the standard answer which applies to any classification.

My answer is a list of questions:

1.Do you know enough people who WILL hire you in the new classification?

2. Do you have the marketing materials to back up your experience in the new classification (ex: reel, credits)

If you answered, "No," to 1 & 2 and still want to re-rate:
3. Do you have enough money saved to last you 2-5 years?

That is not an arbitrary time period that I have chosen. In my experience of coaching over 1000 people one-on-one, that's the average time it takes to move up in classification without proven experience and A LOT of contacts who are willing to hire you. However, all it takes is one person to give you a break, and that can change everything. I just wanted to give you an answer based on the average that I've seen.

Being the exception to the rule is possible, being prepared for the realities of the entertainment industry is practical.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1120: I live in a small town and want to move to LA. What should I do?

Here's the advice I've given to people who have successfully made the move to Los Angeles:

1. Save enough money to survive for a year with no work/or be willing to get a survival job

2. Create relationships with people who live in LA, before moving out here

3. Have a strategy plan that includes the kind of work you want and how you plan to generate it

4. Research the "business side of the business" so you aren't shocked when you're not "discovered" within 30 days (or 30 months)

5. Choose a support team of friends & family, so during times of doubt, they can boost you back up

Because there are so many people who are interested in moving and survival jobs in LA, check out 2 of my Greenlight 101 Series books:


and
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Monday, April 2, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1119: Can I work out of state?

This question is more complex than it looks. First of all, I don't know what you do, if you're in a union, or what state you live in.

When it comes to working out of state, different unions have different rules for working out of state. So if you're in a union, check with a business rep. If you're not in a union you can work any non union work you want in any state. However, if you want to work in a union state and you're not in the union you probably won't be able to work union jobs. There are exceptions so check with the local unions.

I know it's a round-a-bout answer, but with such little information, it's what I've got...

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Sunday, April 1, 2012

This Blog Ends Today

April Fools...
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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1118: How do I take a year off and come back if I want?

I have been getting many questions like this lately. People who want to take time off for various reasons like: they need to make money other ways, they are disillusioned by their lack of success, they are no longer feeling the passion they felt when they got into the business.

I've shared leaving acting on several occasions, and like the quote in The Godfather, "they pulled me back in", but leaving the business altogether isn't a move I've made yet.

That said, I've coached people who have left for health reasons, to take care of a family member of for many of the reasons above. So I know it can be done successfully.

How do you do it? You live your life day to day. And if in living your life you decide to leave, you do so, living each day to the fullest. If your life goes in a direction that fulfills you, that is all anyone can ask for. On the other hand, if you wake up one day and want back in, you sharpen your skills, get up to speed on new technology, sign up for the trades you've stopped reading, and call all the people you've been out of touch with and say...

I'M BACK!


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Friday, March 30, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1117: How many jobs do I need b4 I start a resume?

In the case of having less than a page worth of credits, people get concerned with how it looks.

The bottom line is, when you have very few credits you must be creative in how you present them. It's too early for a "standard" industry resume if you only have 2 credits.

Also at this early stage you will be hired primarily by people with whom you have a relationship or people who are doing freebies and don't care about resumes.

Focus on people not on your resume at this point.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1116: Should I join an industry hockey team to network?

I have to admit, I'm a little perplexed by this question because it seems blatantly obvious to me, so I'm wondering what's underneath that would stop you.

If you can't play hockey and you join the team just to network I would say no. However, if you know someone on the team, go to watch and support the guys.

If you can play hockey are you asking if it's inappropriate to network? Because if you are the answer is:

Networking doesn't have to be so pre-planned and strategic. If you are on a team with a group of industry people, concentrate on forming friendships. That's networking. If you are just joining the team to get work, don't waste your time! It is transparent when someone is not interested in getting to know people for anything other than a job.

If there is something I'm not addressing, let me know.

Hat trick!!!


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1115:What kind of gift is appropriate for someone who introduced me to someone who hired me?

That’s up to you. How much money are you making on the job? What relationship do you have with the person who introduced you? Gift cards, spa certificates, something specific that the person who introduced you likes and probably wouldn’t buy for his/herself. And if you are not in a financial situation to spend money, what's something you can offer to help the person? Even just being thoughtful is appreciated. What can you do that's thoughtful?

I encourage you all to be thoughtful this week. Be consciously aware of the people around you. Help a stranger, smile at someone who looks like he's having a bad day, call someone out of the blue who would be happy to hear from you, hold a door for somebody, let someone go ahead of you in line, carry a bag for someone. What else can you do?
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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1280: I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language (cont'd)

"I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language. I  am looking to improve my comprehension when I read my text book...