Sunday, May 13, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1160: What is the difference between an agent and a casting director?

There's actually nothing the same about them except that they're both human beings.

The basic responsibility of an agents is to represent clients, setting up meetings and submitting them for jobs. In some situations they have a lot more personal interaction, they may negotiate contracts, and they can even use leverage by packaging clients.

A casting director brings in actors for acting jobs. They may or may not have the final say in the hiring process.

at No comments:

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1159: how many scripts is enough to have written?

There's no exact number. You can have one script that is the next big blockbuster/hit pilot that sells and that's it. Just know, if you want an agent, they're going to want to know what else you have because once you sell something it's a great time for them to pitch more of your material.

If you're a television writer, you should have at least 2 spec scripts for current shows. That means if your favorite show is 24 and you have a spec for it, you had better write a new one because 24 is over... although I'm still holding out hope that Jack will come back, somehow... someway. He is Jack Bauer after all. For all I know, Touch is really Jack Bauer in hiding and Jake will uncover a terrorist blot sending Jack out of hiding! Well, a fan can hope. 

These days, agents are also interested in seeing an original pilot.

at No comments:

Friday, May 11, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1158: do you know of any good sites that show broadway auditions (including tours)?

Any time you want to research something, in this case auditions for Broadway shows and tours, the easiest way in this time of the internet is to use that site with the funny name... Google.

The more specific your search the better results you'll get. I googled "broadway show auditions 2012" and found www.broadwayontour.org/audition.htm which is for Orange County. So you may want to google "broadway show auditions 2012" with your town or New York if that's what you want to be.

at No comments:

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1157: I'm a mom and I wonder if it's unprofessional to bring my baby to commercial auditions?

I know of a few babies who have lofty college funds because their moms took them along on an audition and the mother and baby both got cast.

If you audition a lot commercially and you're in the "mom-range" I'm sure you see babies all the time. But since you're asking this question, I'm guessing you don't audition a lot and you're afraid to put yourself out there because now you have a baby.

The best solution is to find a friend who can come with you and take care of the baby while you're in the room. This way if the baby gets fussy, your friend can go for a walk outside of the casting office. BUT, just in case they're looking for a mother/baby team, it could be a great opportunity having your baby there. And you'll certainly feel a lot more comfortable auditioning with your own child than a strange baby.

Disclaimer: If you do not have a friend who can come with you, it would not be professional to tote your baby into your audition- especially, unannounced. Nothing worse than improving with a guy who's supposed to be your husband and you're deciding if it's time to start a family and your baby in the corner starts crying.

at No comments:

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1156: Can anyone work in entertainment?

If Dog the Bounty Hunter and Snooky can, then I would have to say the answer to that is yes. It depends on what you want to do, but if you have no specific preference, there is something for everyone. The more into a craft/art/skill you target, the more of an education/natural gift/tools you need. But there are plenty of positions that don't require an education, natural gifts, or extensive tools if you just want to be a part of the team that makes the magic happen.

The one thing I will say is that anyone can work in entertainment if they are willing to be located where movies/TV etc., are being made. You can't expect to work in entertainment if you're living in a small village in a third world country and you're not willing to move. That's even extreme. You can live in a small town in the US, and never work in entertainment if you're not willing to relocate. Although, even that may not be entirely true, because I've got to assume that Snooky crawled out from under a rock... to say she was raised in a barn would be an insult to all of the good farmers out there feeding our country. But I think you get the point...

at No comments:

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1155: Is it possible to have a full time job and pursue a career in entertainment?

Is it possible? Of course. You definitely have to master the art of the 80/20 principle in that you want to be doing 20% of your work for your entertainment career and have 80% results coming from that focused work. I had a full time job for 11 years and wrote screenplays, auditioned, produced 1 pilot and 4 episodes of a television show, acted in projects, directed a short, and on and on.

It's about time management. When you get to the point that your entertainment career needs more time than your full time job permits, that's what I refer to as an A-list problem. Give me a call then and we'll work it out.

at No comments:

Monday, May 7, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1154: How do I sell an idea for a script or project?

This is a GREAT question for mentors. If you have questions about mentors, let me know.
So, for now:

1. Know that you can’t protect an idea, so you have to be smart about it. You can protect a script and a bible for a project... to an extent.

2. Know who you want to sell to. Do your research. Make sure the company who has produced your genre in the past is still interested in the genre.

3. Know that there are proper channels to take when submitting material. If you have representation, they will set up pitch meetings for you. If you don’t, you may be able to get an entertainment attorney to submit for you.

at No comments:

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1153:How do I sell a project I made with a group of friends?


There is no one way to do this. Here are some ideas:
1. Submit it to a festival (film festival for films, ITV.org for tv or webseries)
2. Put it up on YouTube and create buzz
3. Screen your project for decision makers
4. Create a website and sell corporate advertising space
5. Submit pitches for an article on your project to papers & magazines
To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a complimentary 1-hour MP3 on The 5 Fastest Ways to Get Work In Entertainment

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
at No comments:

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1152:Which industry (film, television, commercial) would you say is easiest to get work in?

They are all equally as easy and as difficult to get in to. Did that sound like Yoda? No, I'm not trying to do a Jedi mindtrick on you. The business tools and strategies for breaking into each area, are the same. The people and companies you target are different.

The quantity and quality of your business relationships in each area will determine your fastest path to work. Here's how to determine where you're starting out:

1. Make 3 lists, one for each area

2. On each list, write down who you know

3. Next to each person write a number 1-5 based on how well you know them

4. Circle in green, each person who can potentially hire you

If you don't know anyone and you're starting from scratch, decide which area you are most passionate about and target people who work in that area.

at No comments:

Friday, May 4, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1151:Why don't people help each other in Hollywood? They're always looking out for themselves!

Wow! That's a limiting belief if I ever heard one. Who are these "people" to whom you refer? Because I've met lots of people who like to help and aren't looking out only for themselves. A typical coaching question is: What are you doing to attract people who don't want to help you? Or who are you being that people don't help you?

I know, I know, you don't want to hear that. You don't want to take any responsibility for what's happening because these "people" to whom you refer are awful and only looking out for themselves.

As a "person" in Hollywood, who not only looks out for others but has blogged for 1151 days straight, to help you (I don't get paid for this), who has interviewed people who want to help you (and didn't get paid for it), and who's met hundreds of people who've helped me along the way, all I can say is this: YOU'RE HANGING OUT WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE!

at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

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...