And...Action!

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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1276: I don't understand, isn't it our job to tell people we are available?

This was a question in response to my blog post a few days ago. Yes, it is your job to let people know you are available for work. However, it's how you let them know that will determine how your relationship will evolve.

For example: If I give you advice for 2 hours and at the end you say, "Great thanks. And by the way, I'm available," it just added something unnecessary and for me, personally, annoying, because I already know a ton of people whom I coach and would hire before you. Why? Because I care about them, like them, and trust them. So by you telling me you're available, you've just turned me off a bit. When you say "think of me" it tells me that you don't have enough confidence that you made an impression that is memorable.

The people it is "your job" to tell that you are available, are the people for whom you are their first 5-10 calls when they are looking. They need to know you're available because they may assume you're already working.

Cold calling people on production lists who are working to let them know you're available is NOT strategic, time consuming, and very rarely creates results. Your time can be better spent developing relationships on a deeper level with targeted people.

When you are meeting people, there are subtle ways to let them know you're available which are not turn offs. It's all about the quality of your questions. When you are asking for advice on how to get work, they know you're available.

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

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1275: How do I figure out if I should pursue a career in entertainment?

Research, research, research! Millions of people have dreams of making it in the entertainment industry. The majority will never do more than dream. Like in every industry, there are pros and cons to the entertainment industry.

Here are some tips:

1. Write down what you want to do in the industry AND the expectations of what you think you'll be doing in that job.

2. Write down your expectations of what it will be like to work in entertainment; the time frame until you're working steadily, the hours worked, the pay scale, and everything else you imagine a career in entertainment to be.

3. Go on entertainment industry forums and get people's feedback on your expectations.

Now, people may be brutal if your expectations are completely unreasonable, but don't be discouraged. If you truly want to pursue your dream, get lots of opinions on others' experiences working in the business. If you are still discouraged, contact me, and we can discuss your particular situation. Remember, sometimes people have their own agenda for discouraging you. I will always encourage you, I'll be realistic and honest in an encouraging way.

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

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1274: Do you think it is wise to send a letter congratulating someone who was recently promoted?

... even if that person doesn't know who you are? In such a letter, I would confine my remarks to their good fortune and not try to pitch or ask them for anything. Or is it weird?"

I don't think it's weird at all. I think it's a great idea, BECAUSE you added two very important points:

1. Do not pitch the person

2. Do not ask for anything

This is a congratulatory note. It gets your name in front of the person. It may even cause the person to Google you to see if he/she knows you from somewhere. Either way, your name is in front of the person so that someday down the line, when your name is in front of him/her again, there will be a familiarity.

These types of notes are relationship builders. There should be NO agenda attached. You will most likely never hear back from the person, but that's not the point.

I like the way you're thinking!

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

Monday, September 3, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1273: Do you have to live out of a car to make it in Hollywood?

His question was longer but basically along the lines of "everyone who seems to make it has a rock bottom moment that gave them the determination to make it" time in their life.

Personally, I don't like terms like "everyone." Last I checked Julia Roberts never lived in her car. You have to believe in yourself and what you do. Some people are motivated by discomfort; it pushes them. But if you are motivated and live in a penthouse on the Wilshire Corridor, all power to you. Some of these stories are also what publicists call "spin."

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

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1272: Should I pay people who are actors to manage me because they get the breakdowns?

It is illegal for actors to get the breakdowns. I have heard of groups of actors who formed legitimate management companies who pay for and receive the breakdowns legally. Whether they charge to represent you I don't know. I can't advise you to do anything illegal that affects someone's business/livelihood.

You have to do some more research and decide what risks you are willing to take for your career. Just know the guy from breakdown services is a very smart man and finds people who are stealing his product and you could potentially be sued.

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

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1271:How do I become a film director?

This is a question of art/talent, as opposed to career coaching. I don't teach you how to direct, I teach you how to get work once you know how to direct. So, I'll give you some advice for getting started:

1. Get director mentors

2. Read Sidney Lumet's book MAKING MOVIES (that was the first assignment from my directing mentor)

3. Watch/listen to the director commentary on DVDs of movies you like

There's a lot of research that can be done before you even get creative as far as reading articles, visiting www.dga.org, reading books, and researching online director forums. In the mean time, if you do have a video camera and a computer to edit on, start discovering your voice.

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

Friday, August 31, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1270: How do I get back into conversations with people I've been out of touch with?

People are busy. Unless this was a lifelong friend who tried to stay in touch with you and you didn't respond, he/she is not sitting around wondering why you haven't called.

Simply get back in touch. Something made you think of this person, so call and say, "You crossed my mind and it's been such a long time I wanted to reconnect."

If the reason he came to mind is because you saw he is working on a new show, don't ask for work. Thats a turn off. Your connections already have established work relationships. You have to rebuild yours with these people. No matter how badly you need the work, you can really turn a person off if you call them after 3 years and say, Hey, I see you've got a new project. I'm available."

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

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1269: I don't want to be friends with people I work with. I just want to be hired to do my job...

...and have my friends separate. How do I do this?"

I'm the wrong coach to ask this question of because I'm not going to tell you how to do that. I'm going to tell you to change your attitude. I'm not saying you have to be best pals with the people you work with. You don't have to have family barbecues with them and spend your vacations together, but what's wrong with "work friends." For years I worked in offices, and while I didn't socialize with many of my fellow employees outside of the office, I was friends with them at work.

Everything in the entertainment industry takes a LONG time; development, pre-production, production, post. If people have to spend a lot of time together, they prefer to spend that time with people they like. Aren't you likable? If not, like I said, change your attitude. This sounds like a question with a built-in defense mechanism. Open yourself up to the possibility of working with people you like and who like you.

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