Question 80: My 2 shows have been cancelled and I feel like I'm abandoning my "family" if I take a job with a new crew. Should I just wait?

The question continues: Should I just wait to see if we get another show?

Another question that I can't answer for you. What I will do, is give you some things to think about:

1. How would you feel if someone from your "crew family," who like you, was unsure of the future, decided to take a job in order to support his/her family, accrue hours to maintain health benefits, and be able to continue working? 

2. Do you consider putting all of your eggs in one basket, prudent? What if the person who hires you retires, leaves the business, or stops getting hired? Can you see benefits to working with multiple crews and expanding your "family?"

3. If you accepted a job and then your "crew family" got another show, would the feelings that would bring up for you, outweigh the feelings of being out of work because you waited and they didn't get a show? 

4. Remember, as your network expands, so does your crew family's.

This is a tough decision because you do create "crew family bonds," sometimes stronger than the ones with your actual family. Personally, I am always happy for my "crew family members' successes." I never take it personally when they have to move on to keep growing. I've seen too many people put their eggs in one basket to ever make that mistake myself, though I do have a core group of people that if I had a choice, I would work with for the rest of my life.  This industry is as unpredictable as life though, and it's times like these when you must choose.

Communication is key, as is trusting your instincts, and maintaining your integrity.   

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit:

www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 79: I am astonished by the amount of things you do each day and each week and wonder how you do it.

The question continues: ... How do you prioritize between doing one thing and another? What criterion do you use to make that decision? 

My criteria is simple: 

1. What is my "fastest path to cash?" In other words, what must be done immediately to grow my company and help my clients succeed?

2. Deadlines given to me by  others in order to market myself aka articles, seminars, interviews, etc.

3. Then I have my specific must-do commitments, like my commitment to answer a question on my blog everyday

4. Once my business "business" is done, I prioritize my entertainment industry career to-dos. I only give my entertainment career about 10% of my time. That time though, is spent working SMART, not hard

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 78: Can I call people for work now, even though I've been out of touch them?

The person who asked me this knows how I feel about re-establishing relationships first. While that is usually the case, that would mean that  you would have had to re-establish in April, before the up-fronts.

This person did not. This person still needs to get work though. Therefore, try these tips:

1. Acknowledge the purple elephant in the room: It's been a long time since we've spoken...

2. Research what they've been doing: I know you've been busy working on Private Practice...

3. Tell them what you've been doing: I was working on XXXXX...

4. Combine the two: It's always such a challenge to stay in touch with the people you like when everyone is working...

5. Ask what else they've been up to (this can be quick small talk, or a serious catch up)

6. Tell them why you're calling: You may have heard that XXXXX was cancelled, so now I'm looking forward to getting on a new show. Do you know of anyone who is hiring or may know someone who is?

Look, is it the ideal scenario? In my book, no. But it is what it is. And the bottom line is, it is your job to look for work and people get that. Project warmth, sincerity, and confidence. 

ps: actors, start re-establishing relationships with people now, BEFORE they start hiring for episodic co/guest stars.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach Coach, visit: www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com

Question 77: Is it true that if I take a vacation I'll get called for work?

The question continued...

"because I haven't taken a vacation in two years, nor have I gotten much work. I really need a vacation!"

I'm going to answer this question with a story...

When I graduated college, my graduation present was a trip to Club Med. At the time, it was the BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. I really wanted to go and be a Club Med Counselor... BUT, the time commitment was 6 months. I was convinced that if I missed 6 months of pursuing acting, my career would be over. I did not become a counselor for Club Med. I did not book any acting jobs during that time or the four years after. 

I can look back now and see what a small chunk of my life those 6 months were. Who knows the memories I could have created.

I'm not really one for shoulda coulda wouldas, so that said, take a vacation. Create some memories. This is your life. If you get called for a job and you're out of town, refer someone you know. You get a vacation and the chance to help someone else. You only live once. Enjoy it.  

Question 76: You say I'm 100% responsible for my career but I feel I can't control anything. What do I do?

True, there are very few things in the entertainment industry that you can truly control. When you look at other industries, though, I'm sure you'll find plenty of people who struggle with the same issue; the stock market, changing technology and trends, etc. Since I focus on entertainment let's address what you CAN control:

1. Your commitment: I always say you have to act like the CEO of your own company. Are you committed to the amount of work that goes into running a company? Are you committed to creating new relationships and maintaining old ones? Are you committed to investing in your business knowledge, marketing materials, and craft? If your answer is yes, you can control how much of a commitment  you make in each area.  

2. Your attitude: Politics, economy, natural disasters, work slow down, runaway production, others working when you're not, no agent, etc.,- you can't control. Your attitude toward all of the previous- YOU CAN CONTROL. Educate yourself on the nature of our industry, so you can have a good attitude, despite what ever the world throws at you. This is not about positive thinking, this is about taking control of your outlook regarding your career. If you're not optimistic about your future, then why pursue it?

   

3. Your choices: You have control over the friends/colleagues you make and keep, accepting the jobs offered to you, your reactions to what happens to you, and the decision to stay in this industry.

Our industry is no different than any other industry where there is potential to make big money. There is risk involved and in so, a lack of control. That lack of control is also the loophole that allows, unknown, unconnected, unexperienced people, to get their foot in the door and potentially make it big...

So embrace what you can and cannot control.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com   

Question 75: Why do your answers sometimes contradict themselves?

This is what I get for asking for something to sink my teeth into. Here goes...

While it may seem that my answers sometimes contradict themselves...

For example:

In one situation I inform you how to be extremely prepared

In another situation I suggest that you fly by the seat of your pants

... they, in fact, do not contradict each other because I'm speaking to different people. 

You see, there is no 1 correct way to do something. One person's obstacle may be a walk in the park for someone else. What someone needs to do early in his/her career is very different than someone who has a track record that can be turned into a marketing campaign.  

What's important is not focusing on the "contradictions" but instead figuring out which answers apply to you at this point in your career.  

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 74: How do I deal with the resentment I feel towards people who are working?

You've made the choice to feel resentment. You could have chosen to feel inspired by them, happy for them, excited for their success, motivated by their success, curious as to how they accomplished their goals...

But instead, you've chosen resentment. How does this choice help your career? I'll tell you - it doesn't. Quite the opposite. Resentment eats away at you causing you to have this tinge of a nasty edge, when meeting new people, answering people's questions, interviewing for jobs, etc. And then you wonder why you can't get a job, maintain a relationship, or create new ones, which then makes you MORE resentful.

So how do you deal with the resentment you feel? You don't. You make a better choice. This may not come naturally at first, but eventually, it will become second nature to celebrate other's success, and in doing so, they'll be celebrating in yours as well.

For those with an abundant mindset, there really is enough to go around.

More tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach at

www.theGreenlightCoachBlog.com 

Question 73: Why should I go to the LA Film Fest if I don't have a project in it or know anyone who does?

Well, let me count the reasons:

1. You need to meet people!

2. It's an opportunity to research the filmmakers beforehand and craft specific questions for them in order to start a business relationship

3. You need to meet people!!

4. People always ask me where to meet first/second time directors- this is a great place

5. You need to meet people!!!

This film festival happens once a year. It is a gathering of industry people at all levels. It is your job to be there. 

If you were a toy manufacturer, you would attend toy conventions. Consider this YOUR convention. LAFilmFest.com

Don't know how to maximize your time at a film festival? Put your question or concern in the comments and I'll address it tomorrow...

For more tips and articles by top industry career coach, the Greenlight Coach, visit

www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com  

 

Question 72: I've recently suffered the loss of my spouse, is this something I should share?

First, I want to express my sincere sadness for your loss. And that is what will happen, either people won't know what to say, or they'll immediately feel sympathy. How can we not? As humans, losing someone we love is one of our greatest fears. So, allow people, to express their sympathy, empathy, and even allow them their discomfort. 

That said, you are going to be experiencing feelings that as a career coach, I'm not qualified to help you with. However, as a career coach I can tell you, that my gut reaction is to offer help. I believe this would be most people's gut reaction.

Allow people to help. More than that, tell them what you need. If you need to get working again, so that you'll be out of your house, surrounded by passionate people- tell them. 

What's important is "who you're being" when you ask for help. Many people become victims, and while understandable, it's not a quality people are looking for when they're hiring. Therefore, ask from a place of strength, even if you're crumbling inside.  Powerfully ask for help in regards to work. When you are hired, stay focused and professional. After the day is done, turn to your support system, those who create the space for you to be fragile and vulnerable. 

Don't share what's going on in your life if you are so fragile that it will guilt-trip people. But when you are ready, when you can handle it, I think it's okay to share what's going on in your life if you're coming from a powerful place of wanting to keep going and stay connected to what you love to do. 

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

Question 71: Is it appropriate to approach someone after they've spoken on a panel or Q&A?

It is appropriate IF you are being professional. 

Consider these tips:

1. Know what your objective is before approaching the person (be sure it's something he/she can say yes to, or a comment that is appropriate and MEMORABLE).

2. Be aware of the body language. If he/she keeps backing up, don't keep moving forward. GIVE PEOPLE THEIR PERSONAL SPACE!

3. If you ask a question, listen and accept the answer, whether you like it or not. DON'T debate someone in order to meet your agenda.

4. Know when it's time to say goodbye and walk away.

5. Take note of all of the mistakes the group around you is making. (I just threw this one in so you can meet the person and learn a huge amount about networking in a miniscule amount of time)  

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com 

Question 70: Would you represent me? (asked at the agent panel I spoke on tonight)

Even though this isn't my typical format (taking a question someone asked a panel of agents as opposed to submitting directly to me), I felt compelled to address it, so that you will learn from this mistake.

The actress who asked the question, prefaced it with a little history about her past agency and how it was closed and then asked... and then there was the "uncomfortable pause..." you know the one-- when you've just put someone (or in this case a panel of experts) on the spot and he/she doesn't want to say yes, but doesn't really know how to say no politely... 

This is no different than meeting someone at a networking event, talking to them for an hour, and then suddenly asking for work. It's that same "wall" that goes up. The hour that you just spent, building a relationship, just went down the drain.

Resist the urge to ask a new contact for work. People need to know you, like you, and trust you, before they will hire you, or take you on as a new client. If you're talking business, they know you're looking for work, if they want you, they'll ask you. If an agent sees something in you during that first conversation, believe me, they'll approach you.     

Before asking for something, put yourself in the person's shoes and think, is this something they can say YES to? Remember, people's jobs, reputation, and paychecks are on the line. It's not personal, they simply have to 

KNOW YOU, LIKE YOU, AND TRUST YOU..

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com