And...Action!

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

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 898:My biggest challenge is maintaining the relationships I've created once I get work. Any suggestions?

Sometimes, I save questions for when I'm in the perfect situation to answer them. It's 7am. No, I'm not usually up this early, especially when I'm on vacation/work (you substitute work). Yet, I know I have work to do to maintain my relationship with you. I've committed to blogging an answer to a question everyday. Therefore, I got up early this morning to do my work, before I go out and spend the day in San Diego (you substitute on set ).

It's a decision you have to make. This blog will take me 15 minutes max, to write and post on Twitter and Facebook. What can you do in 15 minutes? You can call an East Coast contact (because it's 10 am there). You can email a contact and tell him/her that you're working and you wanted to make the time to see how his dog is feeling, if she got the job she'd been waiting to hear about, or if there's anything you can do to help him/her.

The BEST time to maintain relationships is when you're working because you're not calling to ask for work. So you can full-heartedly make it all about them.

The decision you make is what you have to look at. Are you deciding that you're too tired? Are you deciding you don't have time? Are you deciding that you choose to get immersed in your work and can't get in contact.

OR will you decide that you can find 15 minutes each day to reach out to someone? To get up 15 minutes earlier, reach out for 15 during a long "waiting-period" (you know what I'm talking about), find 15 minutes during lunch, and/or maybe even 15 minutes on your way home if it's a decent hour.

The choice is yours. You've got to decide what you're willing to commit to. My advice- commit to maintaining relationships while you're working (it's what all the cool kids do).

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

Monday, August 15, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 897: I get motivated for a short time and do stuff and then I take off and then get motivated again.

.... How do I take action consistently?"

This is an obstacle that many independent contractors encounter. People who have 9-5 jobs have a set schedule, an office destination, and accountability. Because you don't, you have to put systems in place. Accountability works for me. You have to figure out what works for you. Ask other successful independent contractors what they do, and try different methods until you find the one that works.

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

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 896:If I live in a small town and don't want to move to Los Angeles and want to work in the entertainment

...where can I move?"

It depends on the level/quality of work you want to be a part of. While Los Angeles is the entertainment hub, you can also find union work in New York, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and Chicago. Some cities in New Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina, Hawaii, Utah, and Louisiana have union work. Don't be fooled by the term "right-to-work state." Florida, which is a right-to-work state, has a very strong union presence. When in doubt, call your union. And check fro state incentives to attract entertainment work.

If you're not in a union (yet), and the quality of work doesn't matter to you, there are filmmakers in most cities. Even in a small town, with a little bit of equipment, you can create content and a presence on the internet.

This is a pretty general answer, as I don't know what you want to do in the entertainment industry. If you have further questions, put them in the comment section.

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.