entertainment industry coach question 346: How do I get contact information for potential mentors?

This was a question I didn't have time to answer on my tele-class call today. There are many different resources for finding contact information for potential mentors. It depends on their classification.

Start with the people you know to see if anyone is "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" to them and can get you the contact information. If not...

If they are in a union you can contact the union. You may be sent a directory, given information over the phone, or be allowed to send a letter which they will forward.

If they have a production company, you can get that information from IMDBpro, the Hollywood Creative Directory, and in some cases, Google.

Last resort would be to go through their agent if they have one. Before investing the time of researching them, call the agency to confirm that they DO forward their client's mail.

entertainment industry coach question 345:My friend is directing a pilot and I can't get him to call me back. How can I entice him?

Is it an emergency? My guess is- no, because no matter how busy someone is, if it's an emergency, they find time to return your call. Which leads me to my point. I'm not saying that you did this, but I know many people do. They wait until pilot season, see who's working, and then start making calls.

It's fine to let people know you're available, in fact, it's your job, but "I'm available" calls don't usually get returned calls unless there's a job for you. And "just checking in" calls, really don't get returned during pilot season. People get so pissed off about this. They say to me, "Who do these people think they are? No matter how 'big' I get, I'll always return people's calls."

Really? When a production report gets distributed, and a director (and other classifications) gets announced, he/she is bombarded with calls ranging from complete strangers, to people whom they met once (and now think they're friends), to people they know looking for work (who only call when they're looking for work), to good friends in the business (who are not in their 'top 10' top of mind calls.)

So now, the director has 127 calls in his voicemail, from people looking for work, 'just checking in,' or with an "enticing" reason for him to call back.

*note: if the enticing reason to call you back is so that you can build your relationship in order to get work- you should have made that call BEFORE pilot season.

The director is working on a pilot. This is one of the highest pressure jobs, with the most demanding hours, and usually an impossible schedule. On top of the pilot, he may have a family whom needs his attention on the few off hours he has, or maybe he needs to go to the gym to work off some stress, or have the 'check engine' light checked on his car so it doesn't break down on the way to the studio.

Do you see what I'm getting at? By the time a director books a pilot, he pretty much knows who he's hiring. If you didn't get called, left a message for him, did not get a call back, and it's not an emergency, this is NOT the best time to be persistent. He is BUSY. It's not personal.

If when you book a pilot and have 127 people calling you daily, you are able to return every call, PLEASE, write to me so I can interview you on time management.

Give your director friend a break, and let him concentrate on his very important task at hand.

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

entertainment industry coach question 344: is too crazy to post in the subject line so read on but be warned...

This just goes to show that I do read all entertainment related questions sent to me, although that doesn't mean I have the answer to them all. This one stumped me, but as I'm a fan of the show, would be curious to hear from any loyal readers who may have some insight.

ps. Please don't let this start a trend in wacky question asking (though once in a while I enjoy them). The question read exactly as follows:

"Dear Greenlight Coach, you are so good at answering questions every day, maybe you can help me with one that's been bothering me for a while. If Bear Grylls from Man vs Wild drinks his own pee because he needs to keep his fluids going in, (he said that it may seem disgusting, but your own urine is safe to drink) then why does everyone make such a big deal over washing hands after you pee? Clearly the germs can't be that harmful if drinking it is okay."

Well readers, there you have it. The first question the Greenlight Coach can't answer without doing a little research. Because I don't feel the question will help you move your career further along, I'm not going to bother with the research. BUT just in case I have some reality crew people out there who get themselves into a bad situation during a shoot of Survivor, perhaps someone can enlighten us to this mystery.

I'd have saved it for April 1st, but I don't think he was kidding.

For more articles, tips, and possibly future absurd topics by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

entertainment industry coach question 343:Is it appropriate to connect to someone on Facebook who you don't know but share friends?

That's the beauty of Facebook, my friend. In fact you just reminded me to send a note to someone I met because I friended him since we had mutual friends. The irony was, I friended him based on the 3 people, whom I think the world of, so I figured he must be a great person too. Turns out he didn't even know them, but he was still a great person.

The key is to be professional. Don't just send a friend request, add a personal note saying that:

You share mutual friends and/or you're in the biz and/or something complimentary about something they've worked on.

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

entertainment industry coach question 342:Is the Super Bowl a good reason to reconnect with contacts?

This was a comment on yesterday's post that just came up, so I thought I'd better get back to it quickly since the Super Bowl is only hours away.

Absolutely! While not everyone in our industry is a "sports fan," everyone can relate to the competitive nature of achieving "the big goal." After all, the Super Bowl is really "the Oscars" of football.

So reach out in the spirit of going after that BIG GOAL!

I personally, will be rooting for the Giants, even though they're not playing. What can I do? They're in my blood...

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

entertainment industry coach question 341: Is Valentines Day a good reason to reconnect with contacts?

Now, Y'all know I am good at coming up with every excuse to reconnect with people, but I have to say, that with Valentines Day, you have to be VERY careful. Only because the holiday symbolizes love. Therefore, it could send the wrong message.

So if...

New Years = Best for this year

St Patrick's Day = good luck this year

Thanksgiving = I am grateful to you for your business/as a friend/contact

Then...

Valentines Day = _______________

If you can fill in that blank with something business appropriate that can't be misconstrued in any way, then go for it... and please share!

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

entertainment industry coach question 340:What's the easiest way to get work?

The easiest way to get work is to be born into an A-list family who support you pursuing your career.

I mean, come on. The followers of this blog would not be very impressed with you if they met you and you asked them that. Life in general, people who are looking for the "easy way" are perceived as lazy, uncommitted, and flaky.

Perhaps you meant "What is the most direct path to work?" The answer to that question is different for everyone. I can tell you to start by looking at how many people you know who are in the position to hire you. If you don't know enough people, start there. If you want to be more specific about where you are on your career path, I can give you a more specific answer.

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

entertainment industry coach question 339: What do I do about colleagues who are always trying to "one up" me?

In my book And...Action! I have a chapter "The Godfather," where I address 6 different types of relationships that don't serve you:

1. The Non-Supporters

2. The One-Uppers

3. The Physical Drainers

4. The Mental Drainers

5. The Not-So-Expert Experts

6 The Crashed and Burned

As far as the One-Uppers go, these are the people who no mater what you've accomplished, have done something better. They steal your joy.

You want to surround yourself with people who celebrate your success. You can only go as far as the people with whom you surround yourself. If you're not ready to eliminate the One-Uppers from your life because they hire you or refer you, then continue to tell them about your accomplishments knowing what their response will most likely be (to maintain the work relationship) and then REALLY celebrate your accomplishments with the people who care about you.

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

entertainment industry coach question 338:What's a great method an A.D. can use to quiet a crew on set that gets to talking between takes of scenes?

I've never worked as an A.D. so maybe those of you who read this who are A.D.s can chime in (add to the comment section)

I have worked as a producer, and I've also worked on sets for A.D.s as talent. My personal feeling is you get better results by being a morale raiser than a ball buster.

Therefore, when you get the opportunity, call a quick meeting and tell everyone what a great job they're doing and how pleased you are to have such a great crew. Then tell them, one of the best ways to get more work is by creating strong relationships and the best way to do that is by making a good impression on people who can hire you again and refer you to other jobs.

Let them know that by talking in between shots, it could give the impression to the "higher-ups" that they're not focused, not taking the job seriously, or are just unprofessional. Suggest that they stay focused during the hours of the shoot and then, hang out and have fun with each other after the day is wrapped.

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

entertainment industry coach question 337: What do I do when people only see me as a film loader and won't let me move up?

If you have the skills to move up, you have to create relationships with people who don't know you as a film loader. Start with indie films (if you can find one that's still shooting on film). Having big loader credits from studio features may help you get onto an indie film as an AC.

I've found that when a DP has a crew he/she can count on, it can be hard to move someone up because you enjoy having the person you rely on. Plus, if his/her AC isn't going anywhere, booting someone out to move you up isn't usually an option.

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

entertainment industry coach question 336:How do you work while grieving?

I'm asking actually. I lost one of my friends whom I've known since she was in grade school, suddenly this morning, and yet I have to work. I have to blog for you, I have to do a scene with my acting partner tonight, I have to return calls and emails to clients, I have business as usual and most importantly, I have to be there for my sister because she was her best friend.

I guess, you keep it short and do your job.

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