Question 92: You've got your own business, do you ever think of just quitting the "biz"?

Are you asking because you're thinking about quitting the biz? I have quit...  3 times, and to quote Michael Corleone, "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in."  

Do I have days when I wonder what am I doing in this crazy business? Yes. Do I have days when I feel alone, frustrated, confused, and hopeless? Yes.  

And then I remember the first movie I did on location in Oregon, where I saw my first wild peacock, elk on the side of the road, failed at cattle wrangling, rode a horse even though I was told I wouldn't have to since it WASN'T on my special skills, AND I got to act ever day (but 4) for one whole month.   

And then I remember starring in a sitcom pilot where a Camera Operator from Mad About You, told me we'd never get the whole pilot shot in ten hours. He was right... we shot it in 8. He was shocked, all of the actors knew our lines.

And then I remember a reality show from MTV following around a television show I was on and being on a treadmill at the gym and seeing myself on MTV and having the guy next to me stare at the TV and then look at me and then back at the TV and then back at me.

I love acting, I love writing, I love being on set with creative people, I love watching the finished product, and I love the memories that pull me out of the down times. 

Create your own memories, and cherish them. This industry isn't for everyone, but if you want to stick with it and presently it's hurting your soul, tap into the memories of why you love it, then imagine it's five years from now and you're doing what you love. Really immerse yourself in the visualization; the sights, sounds, scents, tastes, feelings. Those feelings are are just as real in your body as the sad, lonely, rejected feelings. The difference is your choice of what you focus on. 

I'm going to go visualize the web-series I've been acting in becoming a network show... happy thoughts to you all...

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

Question 91: Is the business always this slow?

I think I've heard that question every month for the last 10 years. I guess it's because as a coach, half of the people who come to me are out of work. So it can be the busiest time ever and for the out of work people, it still feels slow.

The entertainment industry is ever-changing. With strikes, de-facto strikes, run-away production, tax incentive states, right-to-work states, changing technology, expensive equipment, in-expensive equipment, people retiring, new people entering the industry, and on and on...

Is the business slow? Who knows. It is what it is. If there is someone, anyone, out there working, you can be too. Instead of looking for an excuse like "its slow" to allow yourself off the hook or blame for your being out of work,  ask yourself, what can I be doing to generate work for myself no matter what the state of the industry?

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

Question 90: Is doing a reality show an "in" for an actress?

Ooooooo that's a toughy. It depends on so many things: what kind of career you want, what kind of reality show, how you're edited on that show, the relationships you develop while doing that show.

Like most opportunities, it's all relative. Jacinda Barrett, from the Real World has been building a legitimate theatrical career. Yet, hundreds of other people who've done reality have never worked theatrically.  Some have done guest appearances on television shows, either as a character or as themselves. I've caught a few doing commercials. Some comedians have shows that I love, like Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs. Still others have made a career of going from reality show to reality show. A few "train-wrecks" have even had shows created around them. 

You've got to know the tone of the show. There's a difference between doing "the Apprentice" and doing "Bret Michael's Rock of Love." 

My final question is why do you want to act? Do you just want the fame? And if so, do you just want 15 minutes of it? 

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

Question 89: How do I get my own national talk show? I have 18+ years as a clinical psychologist.

The person who asked this question has a great resume and is working on a self-help book. Working in a niche of the self-help industry myself, I know at least a dozen million-dollar speakers who are all trying to create their own shows. These speakers have best-selling books, large followings, and connections. While I have seen some as "guests" on other people's talk shows, I've yet to see any with their own show.

I tell you this, not to discourage you, just to give you some perspective on the challenges of getting a show on National TV, for a currently "unknown" person. Television may have more political hurdles than any medium since advertising has a lot to do with the decision making process. 

Here's how to get started:

1. Get mentors in the talk show world

2. Start building a following by creating a video blog

3. Check out local cable stations for a way in or "pay to play" air time

4. Finish that book so you'll be viewed as a bookable guest expert 

5. Get on a reality show, don't wind up with Bret Michaels or Flava Flav, and then create your own spin-off (I wish this one was a joke)

Learn the politics of the talk show world inside and out. Be very specific in your niche branding. Build BUILD BUILD relationships!  

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

Question 88: Is late 20's too late to join the party? see blog for detailed question

Actual Question: A friend has just moved out to LA from NYC and been offered a job at a great entertainment company but the pay (of course) is low. It's an assistant position with potential to grow but she's wondering if she should take it even though it's not exactly what she wants to do. She's late twenties so she's also worried that she's late to the party so to speak but knows she has to start at the bottom. What are your thoughts? 

You used the word "great" when describing the entertainment company. As a coach I deal with tools and strategies. My strategy for someone in her late twenties, who wants to break into the business, is to meet as many people as she can. Working at a great company gives her access to a lot of great people. If she has the tools to make something of these relationships, as opposed to simply sitting behind a desk for a year doing her job, she can really get into a great position. Then, in a year,  she can pursue exactly what she wants with 200 relationships in her rolodex. That's if she works smart. 

After working in development myself for 8 months as well as coaching clients who work for producers or agencies, I highly recommend this strategy. There are a lot of benefits. I could be more specific about the benefits if I knew what type of company it is.

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

question 87: Which city has the best potential in terms of finding a job (LA, NYC or Chicago)?

In order of entertainment "capitals" it goes: Hollywood #1, New York #2, Chicago #3. That said, the number of people pursuing careers are relative. The majority come to LA, next NY, and then Chicago.

Which city has the best potential? That's not really a question that can be answered. In which city do you have the strongest relationships? If none, I'd say one certain advantage LA has over the others is that everyone here is 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon to someone in the industry. Your gardner may mow Brad Pitt's lawn, your gynecologist could be married to the producer of Twilight, and your next door neighbor who you walk your dog with could wind up winning an Emmy when you didn't even know he was a director. 

New York and Chi Town, you never know who you're walking next to. 

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

Question 86: What do you do if you call someone and they don't call you back?

My question to you is, did you give them a reason to call you back? FYI: calling to say "I'm available" or "just checking in" doesn't warrant a return call from someone who has a full schedule. If you called for either of those reasons, consider your objective met; they know you're available and you've officially checked in.

Now, if you called for a specific reason like, he/she told you to follow up, or you had a question, wait a week, if it's not urgent, and follow up again.  THIS TIME, tag on the end that "you know they are very busy, so if you don't hear back, you'll try again next week." Then your call is expected.

My rule of thumb in this business of "sales" AKA "selling yourself" is:

You keep calling until you are told to stop OR until you feel icky about (yes, icky is now officially a business term). 

If you are stopping because you feel "icky" leave a closure message along the lines of, "I've left 3 messages and I don't want to be a bother, so I won't call again. If you do have time to talk in the future, I welcome your call."

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

Question 85: I'm watching the Housewives of New Jersey. Is it okay for kids that young to be in entertainment?

Are you asking because you're a parent of a child who's interested in being in entertainment? I'll answer with the assumption that you are. And if you want to know for any other reason, you'll have to send a more specific question.

Is it okay? Yes, it's okay. There are laws and unions to protect minors. There are even requirements for set teachers so children on sets have time for education.

If The Real Housewives of New Jersey is your inspiration, I must point out the underlying implication of the "controlling stage mom." The entertainment industry can be hard on a child's self- esteem. There is a lot of rejection that isn't necessarily personal. I don't give out parental advice. What I will say is there are plenty examples of Stage Moms gone wrong (again, assuming you're a woman, didn't cross my mind that a dad is watching TRHoNJ). I'll say the same thing to you that I say to my clients: you've got to love it and enjoy the journey, or do something else. So, keep an eye on your child and be sure he/she loves it and is enjoying it.

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

Question 84: I don't have the reel to get work as a DP, but I'm afraid to take other work for money. Am I wrong?

The people who hire DPs are not the same people who hire you in other classifications. I don't know if the work you're referring to is within the camera department (AC, OP), as a gaffer, or something else. Unless you are working for money as another head of department (Editor, Production Designer, etc.) who are also hired by the people who hire DPs, you're okay.

Here's what I suggest:

1. Keep making money in your classification to support yourself and save for the future

2. Build relationships with the people who will know you and hire you as a DP

3. Build your reel as a DP

4. Keep the two separate unless you are 100% sure that your current crew is supportive of your desire to transition

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

Question 83: How does networking at industry social events and parties ever lead to future work?

The question continues:  I hear about this all the time, but can’t figure out how this all works exactly. This may be extremely naïve of me, but how does this ever happen? How could an introvert who prefers one-on-one meetings, not feel socially awkward at these larger gatherings? 

The way it works is that people hire people they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST. When you build relationships with like-minded people, it leads to work because people want to work with people they want to be around for the duration of a project.

For introverts, I suggest bringing a "wingman," someone who can act as an icebreaker for you. 

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

Question 82: How do I spot bulls*#t artists to prevent wasting my time and effort?

Actual bulls*#t artists are usually pretty easy to identify. The swagger in their physiology, the tonality and speed they use when they speak, and the overdramatic name-dropping.

(when in doubt about their tonality, ask them a couple of questions they have no reason to lie about; where they grew up, if they have any pets, etc. Listen carefully to the pace and tone of the answer, then see if it changes when they start talking about a project or name-dropping)

If you are still unsure, and don't have the experience to ask questions that will surely "out" their bull, then ask someone with experience. Call a mentor, explain the project, and ask what questions you should ask and what you should have written into a contract. 

(Yes, you should have a contract even if you're working for free. If you're working for free it's for footage, right? Have that in writing) 

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER:

Most people are not coming from a place of "bulls*#t." They have a dream, like you, and truly believe in their project. The problem is most people who try to get their project going, don't realize what goes into making a project from start to finish. That's why so many projects fall apart in post... or sooner. It's not bulls*#t, it's lack of knowledge, money, resources, and relationships. 

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