Saturday, August 11, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1250: what day of the week is best to call someone?

You’ll never know until you ask. And even if they tell you: “Thursday is best for me,” you may still catch them on a Thursday where everything is upside down. Call people when you think you’ll get them in and then ask them if it’s a good time for them to talk. If they say that it’s not, ask when a good time for you to call back will be.

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Friday, August 10, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1249: what is the minimum number of people I should know?

Why are you asking about minimums? It sounds like you want to meet as few people as possible. I always suggest a minimum of 100 people to my new clients who only know a few people. That works out to meeting less than 10 people per month over the course of one year. I encourage them to be strategic about who they meet, in other words, focus on meeting people who can hire you or know people who can hire you.

That said, I'd like to address the "wanting to meet as few as possible." There are so man GREAT people in our industry to meet. I know what you're thinking, I've heard it all. People in each classification have their schtick: Editors: we like to be alone in dark rooms. Camera: There's a reason we're behind the camera. Writers: we write so we don't have to talk to people. Actors: I'm fine when I'm in charater, but I don't want to meet people if I have to be myself. And on and on...

I've heard every classifications' reasons for not enjoying meeting people including the old faithful "I'm shy." The bottom line is, it's necessary for your career, so instead of filling your head with reasons you don't want to meet people, ask yourself, "Who can I meet today, whose life I can change for the better?" Ask better questions and you'll get better results.

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1248: I'm an actress and my boyfriend doesn't want me to kiss anyone in a scene. Is this normal?


I TOTALLY went through this when I graduated college and my boyfriend at the time didn’t want me to kiss guys during my scenes in acting class. Yes, it’s normal. No, it’s not realistic. You may get cast in a role where you have to kiss someone. It’s your job. If you’re kissing Bradley Cooper, it’s one of the “perks” of your job. Kidding… no I’m not.. yes I am.. sort of…
You always hear actors say, “it’s not romantic/sexual at all. You’re surrounded by people… etc. etc.” Here’s the thing, I did a film where for weeks in rehearsal I was SO attracted to my co-star, I couldn’t wait for the scene where I got to kiss him! I think we did two takes and the kiss was as sexless as a high-five from a bag lady (yeah, I don’t know what that analogy means either, it’s early). The irony is, what the “significant others really should be worried about is the intimacy and attraction that can form between actors when they are playing parts where they are in love (or lust). The job of an actor is to really feel the feelings of love and the line between feelings can get blurred. So, the kiss should be the least of your boyfriend’s worries. But don’t tell him that, because that won’t help your cause.Trust is the key to a good relationship… I think. Who knows, that’s why I’m a career coach and not a relationship coach. Good luck with this one.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1247: Where can I meet Editors?

If you live in LA, they're all over the place. I'd start at the Editors Guild and then work your way to Film Independent and then go with referrals and social media.

It's also going to depend on why you want to meet Editors. If you want to hire them, they're going to be really easy to find. If you want to be hired by them, then it may take some time.

If you don't live in LA, you can still check with the MPEG because it's national, as well as any local filmmaking organizations, and social media.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1246: Can YOU teach an "old dog" new tricks?

Yes I can, and yes I have. The key is that said "old dog" is willing to learn the new tricks. Like most dogs, if he likes treats, he has to obey to get them.

Okay enough with the dog metaphors.

Back to your question. Many industry veterans have come to me when they got to a point where they realized they had been fighting against change and lost. They wanted me to teach them new ways of generating work. Most took the new tools and ran with them and because of their stellar career had no problem re-emerging into the industry. Others, however, preferred that I do the work for them, or give them a magic bullet. They really didn't want to have to do things differently than they'd always done it. Why? Because who wouldn't like to have a career where the phone rings because people are seeking you out. Unfortunately, these industry veterans are still sitting by their phone waiting for it to ring... and it's not ringing.

Don't make the same mistake. Be open to learning new ways of generating work. Embrace fabulous, free ways to network like Facebook. Be willing to ask for help. And continue to ask questions.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Monday, August 6, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1245: How do I get a job as an extra in music videos?

Central Casting is one of the biggest Extra Casting Agencies. You can also look at la411.com and newyork411.com to find additional Extra Casting agencies. Union productions require a certain number of Union background artists before they can hire non-union extras. You will need a headshot and eventually a resume. To build your resume, volunteer to do extra work for student films and short films where you live. Some Extra Casting Agencies only require a picture which they take themselves and put in a book for people who are hiring extras for TV, Film, Music Videos, & Commercials. If you don’t live in an entertainment hub such as NY, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, or one of the other city/states where there’s a tax incentive, you may consider moving to where the work is.

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1244:I work in movies but I don't go see movies. Is that bad?

I suppose it depends on a few factors. I recently coached an editor who spends most of his time in a dark room editing movies and in his spare time wants to do something else. Can you blame him? That said, you are the CEO of your company and you have to make the best decisions for your company. If the CEO of McDonald's wasn't staying current on what was going on in the fast food industry, he wouldn't have kept it competitive. Now McD's serves coffee drinks and "healthy choices." So, do you want to be up to date and current in your industry?

I love romantic comedies, but to me, the classics are Pretty Woman, Working Girl, and While You Were Sleeping. When some of my clients hear this, they reprimand me for missing the classics of their generations. If I'm going to continue to market myself as the "romantic comedy girl," I have to at least give these older classics a chance (even though nothing can beat Pretty Woman!)

Unless you have a specific reason, like the editor, why wouldn't you support the people and the medium that keeps you working?

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Saturday, August 4, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1243: Should I lie about my age?

Yes!!! Just kidding.... no I'm not... yes I am.. not, yes.. no... Okay enough of the Eddie Izzard impersonation. Should you lie about your age? I always dreaded the day I'd get this question.

Here's what I say (with irresistible charm), "I'm young enough to tell you and old enough to know better."

Some people will know when you get a job and you have to give your drivers license (like agents, etc.) The question is when do you tell them? Before or after you sign on the dotted line.

Look, plenty of people do it. Is it right for you? Only you know the answer to that. Do people judge you by your age? Some do and some don't. You can't predict. Borrow my line and pray they let you get away with it.

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1242:I have an idea for an episode of a show that I'd like to present to the producers, how?

That's taboo. When people want to write for a show, they give a spec of a different show. Unless you get a pitch meeting with them to pitch your idea. They wouldn't be allowed to read a spec script of their own show. Reason being, what if they had a similar story line already in the works. You could say they read your spec or pitched your idea and they stole it. There's a lot of politics around discussing an idea for a show with the show producers. That's why most people do it through agents. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just saying that the majority of the time, that's how its done.

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1241:I've been looking for work as a PA and I wonder if you have any advice.

PA work is usually the easiest to get because people are willing to take a chance on someone to do their coffee runs and grunt work. So here are my suggestions:

1. Send out an email to everyone you know (Blind CC) and let them know you are looking for PA work. Ask if they can directly help you (hire you) or if they know someone to introduce you to. This person may work on a set or in an office that may need a PA or this person may in turn, know someone else who does. And so goes the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

2. Post on your Facebook page that you are looking for PA work.

3. Ask your entertainment friends on Facebook to put in their status that they have a friend who is looking for PA work and how to contact you.

The bottom line is, even to get a PA job, it's going to be through the people you know. Because you live in Hollywood, tell EVERYONE you're looking. You never know who your meditation teacher, your Trader Joes buddy, or your bus driver knows. Keep an open mind and be willing to ask!

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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...