entertainment industry coach Question 510: Should a college student be in LA or stay in Vermont where there are no distractions?

The question read, "This question is for a friend I met on set yesterday. She is a 19 yr old just in town for the summer she is interested in staying here and transferring to La City College rather than going back to Bennington college in Vermont to complete her education. She has been out to LA the last couple summers doing extra work and taking classes. Last summer an agent told her to stay in town, but she decided to return to school. Do you think it's a better idea for her to study theatre in Vermont where there's no distractions or stay here and be closer to the action?"

Well, I didn't go to school in Vermont or LA, but I can tell you, no matter where you go to school, if you want to be distracted, there's always a way. So, let's leave distractions out of the equation. The bottom line is, does she want a college degree to fall back on or does she want to be in Los Angeles splitting between her studies and getting a jump on her acting career through networking? It's a really big decision, one that she will have to make by weighing the pros and cons. I can tell her that there are ways to create relationships from Vermont, it's different than creating them in LA. I'd have to know more about why she's torn, why it's not an obvious decision for her in order to coach her to come to her own decision.

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entertainment industry coach Question 509: How do I deal with producers changing their mind after I've been hired?

The question read: I was hired last week via a phone interview for a job. I got a call yesterday saying that the producers changed their mind and decided to go with someone with more credits than I have. I was a bit stunned. What is the best way to deal with a situation like that? I don't want to be like a deer in headlights nor do I want to be the person who screams their head off at them. Where is the middle ground in a situation like that?

Unfortunately, there's really no way to avoid the "stun." It's human to get excited about a job and then to have the rug pulled out from under you, is disarming. Your best road is always the high road. So, definitely stay clear of the screaming route. The middle ground is to see if there's a way to maintain the relationship. I know it can be hard when you're in the midst of getting an "emotional punch to the gut," BUT I have worked this road with many of my DPs who've had excellent interviews, didn't get the job, and maintained a relationship with the interviewers (producers, directors). This has led to a number of them either getting the second picture, or being brought in on the original picture they'd interviewed for when it didn't work out with the original hire.

You just never know where handling a situation with appreciation and grace can lead to.

Actions to take in this regard:

1. Tell them you're still thrilled that the project is a go and you'd love the opportunity to see how shooting is going (or be invited to a screening, etc).

2. Thank them, wish them the best, and let them know should their circumstances change, and they find themselves needing your assistance in the future, you are happy to jump back on board.

And just for your own sanity... keep a little notebook for all those names to whom you want to "unthank" during your Oscar acceptance speech :-)

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entertainment industry coach Question 508: How do I reinvent myself?

As a long-time radio exec and current morning DJ who is trying to reinvent himself at Forty-(mumble) years old...I'm trying to get myself out there to direct episodic TV. Just finished a TV pilot I shot on my own dime that I want to get to the right folks. Have a number of good contacts, but still feel a little...unfocused. What's the best way to start accessing the resources out there.

One of the best resources is mentors. I interviewed a director for Greenlight Mentor Series who moved up from being a Steadi-cam operator. Another came from the movie-of-the-week & promo world. There are many ways to break in, so you want to learn about the politics of it all.

If you have a DGA branch where you live, go in and meet with them. Also, network with their members so you can go with them as guests to DGA events.

You say you have good contacts. You have to be specific about that. Are they people who can hire you as a director, refer you as a director, or something else?

What specifically are you feeling unfocused about? How to direct an episode of network TV? If so, that would be a mentor question. Or are you unsure of how to get your pilot seen by networks?

If you can give me some more details I can better answer your question. (just put the deets in the comment box below)

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entertainment industry coach Question 507: Is it worth it to make my own film with my own money?

You'll never know unless you do it. All I can tell you, as someone who's produced many of my own projects, is that in my experience, each one has led to more opportunities, more exposure, more credibility, and more amazing people that I want to work with over and over again.

I can tell you when I produced my own, I had amazing mentors and I surrounded myself with department heads who were all more knowledgeable than me AND I LISTENED TO THEM. Put your ego aside and do what's best for the project to get the most professional work you can create.

If you can get someone else to produce, someone who's really good at it, that's a great experience to.

Be sure to manage your expectations, which means: decide what you want your outcome to be. If it's to make money, you better have amazing development mentors who can tell you if your script is up to par. You'd better have outstanding talent in every department.

The odds are not on your side as far as being a break out indie, but that doesn't mean you can't be one of the exceptions to the rule if the story is there and the talent is there to back it up.

Good Luck!!!!

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entertainment industry coach Question 506: Can someone who's worked in the industrial video world transition to tv & film?

You actually have an advantage over the people who want to break in and have zero experience. People transition to all areas of entertainment from all kinds of different industries. Lots of lawyers become writers, cops become actors, and yes, industrial videographers have made the move to tv & film.

Read my previous blogs. It's a lot to catch up on, but not everything will apply to your path so you can skip over those.

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entertainment industry coach Question 505: I've been at this for 12 years. How long does it take?!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this question seems like it's more of a frustration than a question. If you've been at it for twelve years, you know there's no time frame. My question to you is: Have you read my blogs? My newsletters? My book? You've been at "this" 12 years, does "this" include treating your career like a business, to which you've committed at least 5-8 hours per day, 5 days per week, on focused business that moves you forward? Do you have more than 200 contacts? Are more than 40 of them working and in a position to hire you?

Most people I coach who are frustrated, have been doing the same 3-5 things for years, expecting something to click. There is SO much more you can be doing. People who treat their entertainment career as a business, are always trying new strategies. and constantly meeting and building relationships with new people, don't have time to be frustrated-- there's just too much inspiration around them.

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entertainment industry coach Question 504:How would I go about researching agents of composers?

This was a question asked in the comment section of yesterday's blog. The easiest way to find composers' agents, is to use IMDB Pro. You can also check out http://www.theamcl.org/ for more information.

Also try Googling them. I just Googled Hans Zimmer and immediately found: The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc. (818) 260-85001

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entertainment industry coach Question 503:I'm trying to get into film scoring, any advice?

Based on the many genres of film, there are many different composers scoring films. It's like in dance where there are different choreographers for different styles. To start, you want to research the types of films you'd like to score. Then, check IMDB, to see who the composer was on each project. Once you have a list of 3-5 composers, do your research on them. Google them, and check their Guild's website to see if there are any interviews or articles involving them. Perhaps there's a bonus interview on a DVD with the composer.

Research will give you many clues about how composers get started in entertainment. In the mean time, look for projects in your area, if possible. Perhaps a film school or an independent film group may have opportunities for you. You want to build your demo.

In addition you can research agents who represent composers and call to ask what the industry standard is for marketing materials for a composer.

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entertainment industry coach Question 502: How do I reenter the biz after taking time off to caretake a parent?

You start by putting together a list of all of the contacts you had before you left the business. People are understanding, and when you're honest about why you had to leave, they will get it. However, be careful not to "over-share." In your message to me, you explained the affect care-taking had on you, and while it's okay to share with a coach, you wouldn't want to share anything more with your contacts than you were taking care of your mother. The reason being, any adverse effects it had on your health can be a concern to a production company that you are not fit to work.

Once you re-establish relationships with your old contacts, you will need to research who the new people are and ask for referrals to them.

Depending on the relationships you had before you left the industry, where they are now, what positions they have available, and how up to speed you need to get with updates in technology, the time table for breaking in varies. Where there is a will there's a way.

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entertainment industry coach Question 501: I look for casting calls in my local area but they seem to be scams is there a website I can check?

There are a few rules that cross the board:

1. If they ask you for money to audition or to move forward in the casting process, RED FLAG

2. If they tell you that you have to pay money to study with them first or pay money to a photographer for photos RED FLAG

As far as sites go for searching for scams, there's always the better business bureau, but the problem with that is the scammers usually change their company name constantly.

I did find an article on eHow that really gives you great tips, so let me give Audrey Brown credit and let you read her article. (click on her name for the link)

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entertainment industry coach Question 500: Would you take a 500 day challenge that would change your career?

I don't know why the number 500 seems so meaningful. Maybe because I've never actively done anything for my career for 500 days straight. Have you? 500 days straight? No weekends off? What if you did? Choose one action from the following list that catches your attention:

1. Send a business email

2. Make a business call

3. Post a branding statement on a social media site

4. Blog on something that pertains to your career

5. Post a comment on an entertainment industry forum

After you make your choice, close your eyes and visualize the possibilities that can occur from you taking this one action for 500 days straight. Give yourself at least 5 minutes to visualize...

From my experience, taking an action for my business for 500 days straight has reaped tangible results like money, new contacts, and jobs (speaking engagements). It's also given me results that you can't measure like industry credibility, expert status, deeper connection with industry people, rewarding feedback from people I've helped, and a major sense of accomplishment and commitment to my business.

I invite you to take the 500 day challenge. For my question 1000, I will ask, "What have you done for 500 days straight and how has it affected your career?" I look forward to your answers as well as hearing about your journey along the way.

Feel free to add a comment about what your 500 day commitment is. Putting it out there in the public eye makes you accountable-- another great lesson I learned from this experience.

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