And...Action!

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

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 895: what if people are discouraging me from sitcoms because it's too hard to break into?

What high demand job where you can make a lot of money isn't hard to break into? People who are successful are successful for a reason: Determination!

Okay, for more than one reason:

1. Determination/drive

2. Perseverance

3. Action in spite of fear

4. Willingness to do the work

5. A strong support system

And in many cases:

6. Talent/skill

7. Strong people skills

8. Willingness to learn

9. Going the extra mile

10. Belief in themselves

Feel free to add your own in the comment section. People can find reasons to tell you that you can't do something... that's easy. Your job is to find the people, who knowing your challenges, support your dreams and help you figure out "how" to make them come true.

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

Friday, August 12, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 894: What happens to the people who get voted off reality shows?

Besides being recycled into shows like Bachelor Pad, Survivor Redemption Island, and Road Rules vs Real World?

There are so many reality shows, it's impossible to say what they're all doing. My gut is that you're asking me because you're considering doing one and want to use it as a career vehicle. There have been some reality contestants who've gone on to have successful acting careers. There are others who've literally made a career as reality stars. Still others have gone on to publish books and become speakers.

There are many positive things that can come from being on a reality show. I would suggest you have a clear vision for what you want your end result to be and make sure the show is in alignment with your values.

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

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 893: How do I know if I'm being a pain in the butt?

He didn't use the word butt... if you know what I mean. The quickest way to answer this in a blog, that is general enough for anyone to relate to is:

1. It is your job to follow up so people expect it.

2. Put yourself in the shoes of the people you're reaching out to. If you were working a 70 hour week, had a family, hobbies, and a garage door that needed to be fixed, in addition to 50 "I'm available" calls on your answering machine, how would you like to be followed up with?

3. Are you coming from a place of confidence or desperation when you get in touch with people? I'm not asking what you "think" you're showing to people, I'm asking how you really feel deep down. Because despite what you think you're masking, it is coming through!

4. At a certain point if a person isn't responding, you have to make a gut judgement. How does it feel? Do you feel like you're being a professional and staying on the person's radar because you know he is busy OR do you feel like you're getting to the point that if this person finally got back to you, resentment would be taking over.

Finally, consider your follow up. Are you asking for something they can say yes to? Or are you "just checking in." Many times people don't have time to get back to all of the people who are checking in. So, know your objective for calling and have your expectations match your objective. In other words if you were "just checking in," then your mission is accomplished, but don't expect a return call.

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

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 892:How many times a year should I do an agent mailing?

Uh Oooooh.... this is one of those questions that make me go.... hmmmm. I feel like I just addressed this recently, but maybe it was in a seminar. Agent mailings are for the most part a big waste of time and money. The reason I say that is because:

1. People don't bother to consider the timing of when they're pursuing an agent and do a mailing willy-nilly like right smack in the middle of pilot or staffing season.

2. People buy a list of addresses, don't check that they're up-to-date, don't personalize the mailing to the agent in the right department, and don't spell check names.

3. People send out resumes, reels, head shots COLD. Do you know how many thousands of people are submitting to agents? It's far more effective to get referrals to agents. The time you spend getting referrals and approaching an agent in a professional way, will be worth it compared to the years of unproductive mailings.

I'm not saying that cold mass mailings don't ever work, I'm simply offering you a more effective use of your time (because it rarely works).

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

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 891: Is sending someone you kinda know a birthday card brown nosing?

It concerns me that the thought of sending someone a birthday card brings up that worry for you. Makes me wonder, is it your intention to "brown nose" or do you truly want the person to have a happy birthday? It's all about the intention. It's okay to send a card for the double purpose of sending wishes and staying on the radar. Personally, I love to get cards. It's always nice to be remembered, and while Facebook birthday wishes are easy to send, the extra effort in sending a card usually doesn't go unnoticed. The more personal the card, the better.

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

Monday, August 8, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 890: What is the most important item to include on my resume?

Well, I can't pin it down to one thing being the most important, because without the following, you'd be seen as unprofessional and your resume would go in the trash. Include the following:

1. Your name (yes, seems obvious, but trust me...)

2. Your contact information (you do not need to have your home address ESPECIALLY if you're a woman or worked on a Star Wars movie)

3. Your credits

In your credits, you want to list the name of the project, the production company, and who hired you.

In addition, you'll want to include any special skills you have (that you truly are special at) for example: camera operating on horseback, skis, or aerial.

Education. This is optional. If you went to a film school or a school with a strong alumni (or a good football team... oh wait, that may just be what I care about).

DO NOT list courses that taught you skills that you should know as a professional. You can list equipment under skills.

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

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 889: you said to meet 100 people. How do you maintain all of those relationships?

Ah, great question! This person went on to describe how he has piles of business cards from people he's met recently at networking events. The key is to break it down into manageable chunks.

Here is a 7-step plan:

1. Take a few moments after meeting someone to write down personal notes on his/her card so you can easily remember what to refer back to.

2. Compose a general "nice to meet you" note.

3. Prioritize your business cards by people to whom you want to contact first.

4. Divide the follow up of 100 people by a 5 day work week (20/day) or 2 weeks (10/day) and divide the cards up accordingly into a neat piles of 20 or 10.

5. Plan the hour or two into your schedule for the week (or two)

6. During your scheduled time, personalize the general note for each person, based on your notes. This can be by email or in a greeting card*.

(*More personal, and my preferred choice, if there's a physical address on the business card. These can be bought in advance or even ordered with your name on them)

7. Send them out.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE is asking for work or reminding them you're available in this note! Tempting as it may be, stop yourself. Create the relationship FIRST, work will follow.

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

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 888: what day of the week is best to call someone?

You’ll never know until you ask. And even if they tell you: “Thursday is best for me,” you may still catch them on a Thursday where everything is upside down. Call people when you think you’ll get them in and then ask them if it’s a good time for them to talk. If they say that it’s not, ask when a good time for you to call back will be.

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

Friday, August 5, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 887: what is the minimum number of people I should know?

Why are you asking about minimums? It sounds like you want to meet as few people as possible. I always suggest a minimum of 100 people to my new clients who only know a few people. That works out to meeting less than 10 people per month over the course of one year. I encourage them to be strategic about who they meet, in other words, focus on meeting people who can hire you or know people who can hire you.

That said, I'd like to address the "wanting to meet as few as possible." There are so man GREAT people in our industry to meet. I know what you're thinking, I've heard it all. People in each classification have their schtick: Editors: we like to be alone in dark rooms. Camera: There's a reason we're behind the camera. Writers: we write so we don't have to talk to people. Actors: I'm fine when I'm in charater, but I don't want to meet people if I have to be myself. And on and on...

I've heard every classifications' reasons for not enjoying meeting people including the old faithful "I'm shy." The bottom line is, it's necessary for your career, so instead of filling your head with reasons you don't want to meet people, ask yourself, "Who can I meet today, whose life I can change for the better?" Ask better questions and you'll get better results.