Getting Work in Entertainment Question 932: I find some of the things you say to do tedious.

That's not a question, but I'll address it anyway. If you find things tedious, don't do them. You have choices; you can get someone else to do the tedious actions for you, or you can find the actions that work most effectively for you and avoid the tedious ones.

I give you enough ideas that you don't have to do everything. Choose the things you enjoy or don't find as tedious. It is business after all, not everything is going to be creative and fun, but you can still make the most of the actions that are necessary to advance your career.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 931: how do I make my resume stand out?

If you're an academy award winner and/or have worked on top box office grossing films, that's going to make your resume stand out. Although usually at this level, you won't need a resume.

So what really makes a resume stand out if you have basically a number of unrecognizable credits with semi-unrecognizable talent? A REFERRAL. In other words, sending out hundreds of resumes cold, is pretty much a waste of time and money. Instead, target specific jobs, speak to your contacts to find out if they know anyone involved with the project, and then send a cover letter with your resume stating that you were referred by _______. That's what makes you stand out, having a connection to someone involved.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 930: How long should it take to sell a screenplay?

There is no way to say. All I know is if no one reads it, you'll never sell it. Some scripts get bought up lickity-split and others float around the industry for years. I'm sorry I don't have a more definitive answer for you, but making a living as a screenwriter is taking a risk, a wonderful risk, but a risk nonetheless.


The important thing is to keep writing so when your script does get read and they ask what else you have, you have two or three scripts, at least, to represent your talent. 

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 929: Why are they remaking so many movies and tv shows?

I am a career coach not a studio exec. All I can tell you is $$$$$ That said, if they touch Pretty Woman, I may have to boycott Hollywood AND as far as tv, Charlie's Angels, okay. Hawaii Five-O, rocks, they're doing the Munsters and Bewitched... uh boy... IF THEY TOUCH The Monkees... bananas are going to fly and it won't be pretty!!!!!

Getting Work in Entertainment Question 928: How do I talk to people naturally? I feel like I have nothing to say when I meet people.

First question: Can you talk to anyone naturally? If you can't, then it sounds like it's out of my realm. You need to speak to a professional therapist.

That said, I'm going to answer this question as if you do have friends and family members who you can talk to easily. If you can talk to them easily, you can talk to anyone easily, you're just getting in your own way.

Most people's problem is that they don't think that they're interesting. You are- to like-minded people. The rest don't matter. It's like dating. You don't connect with everyone and that's okay.

Here are some tips:

1. Know some subjects you feel confident about so you know what you can talk about.

2. Ask questions. Instead of worrying about what you will say, get them to answer a question about a subject you're interested in, so you'll be able to join in.

3. Read the trades and stay current on industry happenings. This way, you'll either be commenting on a subject they're already aware of or giving them new news.

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Getting Work in the Entertainment Industry Question 927: I've been calling my contacts over and over and I need something new to do. Any suggestions?

I have at least 20 off the top of my head, but here's the thing. You're doing what EVERYONE does when they're looking for work (that is everyone who hasn't coached with me). You're calling your contacts every week, month, hopefully not day, to tell them "I'm available." This is NOT strategic. This is not good business. How would you feel if you were working and in the position to hire people, you already hired the people you need, and then get 50 "I'm available" calls each week. What would you do? You wouldn't have time to call everyone back and say that you're sorry but you don't have anything for them. So, that is why you find yourself where you are now.

Okay, suggestions. First of all, because it seems as if you don't know enough people who are working and you are their #1 or 2 call, this isn't necessarily going to be a quick process, so it's important that you're patient.

1. Target and meet at least 5 new people per month

2. Meet 10 people per month who are in the industry no matter what classification

3. Ask the people you already know for referrals

4. Review the previous 926 blogs for new ideas

Or you can (shameless plug) BUY MY BOOK which is 52 chapters written in a way that you have a new action to take each week.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 926: How do I create my own web series if I don't have money?

I don't know if you're asking me me because you see that I'm doing a free teleseminar on creating webseries and marketing yourself with a video blog. If you want a detailed answer to this question, register for the free teleseminar on Wed, Sept 14th 5pm PST HERE 

The short answer is Collaboration! I happen to know that the person who asked this question is an actress.

Because she's an actress with an idea, to create a web series, the bare minimum she needs is:

1. a writer(s)

2. a director

3. a producer

4. a camera person

5. an editor

On many web series, 2 people can be all 5 of those. She also needs equipment for camera, sound, and editing.

With no money, she'll be looking to collaborate with people who want to build their credits and skills/experience, believe in the idea, and want to create relationships with others working on the project. They will volunteer their time, equipment, and resources.

The little details of creating a project like this, that I'm not going into, will be discovered when you begin collaborating. You will probably need some money (for batteries, lunch, etc.).

BE SURE to have non-disclosure agreements when discussing your project as well as contracts for all involved. EVEN IF YOU'RE WORKING WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS!!! You can even download these for free on the internet and make them fit your needs. Protect your project! If you want to make everyone equal partners in it, fine. Just put it in writing!

If you have no idea how to find people to collaborate with, a great start would be my free call, so click above to register.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment Question 925: What other ways can I build relationships if I don't want to get mentors?

That's it. I'm putting my foot down. I refuse to answer this question (although you can look through older blogs and find answers) because anyone who does not want to get mentors, is not willing to do what it takes to make it in this industry. I've been coaching far too long and seen far too many people resist this simple task for months even years, only to discover when they finally reached out it was the GREATEST thing they'd ever done for their career.

Now, I don't know if it's fear stopping you, pride, or one of the many other excuses I've heard, but as far as I'm concerned, if you're not willing to go the extra mile and learn from the amazing people in our industry who have already done what you want to do, than I'd rather spend my valuable time working with the people who want to make it and will do what ever they have to do, for their business to succeed.

That tough love moment brought to you by The Greenlight Coach.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 924: How do I meet people?

I received this email this morning, and found it very touching. I too remember how 9/11 brought my neighborhood together, and it was at a time when I needed togetherness. Growing up in NY, I lost 4 people personally in the attacks, and knew far too many others who had lost family and friends. At the time I was in California, too far to be of help to those back home, worried about my father who worked in the city, wondering where he was and if he'd get home...

You want to meet knew people, check out MeetUp.com.  It's a great way to meet people who share your interests and now I know what a wonderful place it started from:

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don't write to our whole community often, but this week is 
special because it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many 
people don't know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles 
from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought 
local community doesn't matter much if we've got the internet 
and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I 
hoped they wouldn't bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors 
in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to 
neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they'd normally 
ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each 
other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being 
neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring 
people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was 
born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and 
grow local communities?

We didn't know if it would work. Most people thought it was a 
crazy idea -- especially because terrorism is designed to make 
people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months 
after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it's 
working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups, 
Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups... a wild variety of 
100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common -- except one 
thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to 
neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me. 
They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and 
motivate each other, they babysit each other's kids and find 
other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace 
together. They make friends and form powerful community. It's 
powerful stuff.

It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks 
to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren't about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it 
weren't for 9/11.

9/11 didn't make us too scared to go outside or talk to 
strangers. 9/11 didn't rip us apart. No, we're building new 
community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we're just getting started 
with these Meetups.

Scott Heiferman (on behalf of 80 people at Meetup HQ)
Co-Founder & CEO, Meetup
New York City
September 2011

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