Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1009: What do you do when nothing's happening and you feel frustrated?

It sounds like you're asking me personally, so I'll answer you personally. When I feel frustrated or things aren't happening at the speed I'd like them to, I get back to what got me into this business to begin with. My creativity.

I used to take acting classes and it was so fulfilling.The past year, I've gone back to my other love... writing. And not writing for my business either! Strictly creative writing. I just published a fiction book which I'll be sharing with you soon. In the past, writing has turned into 4 produced projects.

If I'm so bummed out that the creative juices aren't flowing, I pop in one of my go-to rom coms. Without fail, Pretty Woman, The Family Man, Notting Hill, and two piles high of others, stimulate ideas, while I'm watching, or when I'm dreaming, or while I'm driving and on and on. It's not long before I'm back at my laptop typing out what the characters request of me.

That's my method. I'm sure there are others out there who may want to share, so let's hear from you.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1008: What exactly is a spec script?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A spec script is a "speculative" screenplay, one that theVarietyslanguage dictionary defines as being "shopped or sold on theopen market, as opposed to one commissioned by a studio orproduction company."^[1]

Spec scripts are written for various reasons:^{[citation needed]}

• by writers who hope to have a script optioned and eventually purchased by producers or studios;
• by writer/directors who want to direct a film themselves;
• by amateur writers hoping to convince a literary agent to represent them or a producer to hire them.

I would like to add that spec scripts are also written for television to show that the writer can write for other people's characters. In television you usually need multiple sample scripts from various shows to prove that if you write one great spec, it wasn't a fluke.

If you want to write a spec, and have no idea how to start, I highly recommend the UCLA extension program. If you live in Los Angeles, nothing beats the class atmosphere where you get help form your teacher and create relationships with the students as well. However, if you're not, you can take online classes and have a spec done in one semester.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1007: Why did you tell me to sign up for Cynopsis.com?

Cynopsis is about everything television related; what's been bought, who's attached, what's premiering, what's been cancelled, etc. It is a great research tool. The person who asked this is a DP/Operator, and I suggested he subscribe for the free daily email from Cynopsis because even though it's giving high level information which would seem to be important to tv executives, writers, and agents, if you are in another classification and are interested in television you must be "in the know."

For example, today in the development section Cynosis reported that

"Actor/rapper Ice Cube is developing a drama for FX called Eye for an Eye about a paramedic who wants to avenge victims of violent crimes. FX has ordered a script of the project that is in the early stage of development. Ice Cube will star in the drama.

TNT ordered the pilot project Chelsea General (wt), a medical drama series from David E. Kelley and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, M.D. Kelley and Dr. Gupta will executive-produce. Kelley wrote the pilot script for the series, which is based on Gupta’s upcoming novel Monday Mornings."

If these projects are of interest to you, now you have some information to start your targeted campaign.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1006: How do I create a website that will get me work?

A website is a marketing tool to help in your pursuit of getting work. It is not a substitute for creating relationships, it simply compliments the process.

To start, you want to research websites that are getting attention and model them. Because it's a marketing tool, you want to spend the money it takes to get it right the first time. Unless you have the sharp know how of do-it-yourself, save the time that you could be networking for work and hire a professional.

Next, get advice from people who look at websites. Find out what they want to see and what they don't want to see.

Finally, be sure that whomever creates the site for you makes it easy for you to update because websites are works in progress, as is your career. I recommend Kathy at Hoffmansites.com

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1005: If you learn about a production should you send your resume

The entire question read: If you learn about a project in advance and find a contact like the
production coordinator on linkedin or email address. Should you send
them your resume and cover letter to get on the project? I did this a several months ago and got a response from the production coordinator of a film, but they were crewed up. I found out who was the production coordinator for another movie coming and would like to send them my resume and cover letter.

There are a few things for me to point out here:

1. You did this once and you had some success with (you received a response which is more than most people get).

2. The response was that you were too late. Therefore, I would work to get in even earlier when possible by talking to the people in your state's film commission office to find out what's coming down the pike.

3. To better your odds, you could get a referral. So once you know about a project, immediately write to all of your contacts and ask if they know anyone working on the project so that you can send that person your resume with your contact's name as a referral.

4. If you get another "we're all crewed up" consider offering to work for free for a short time on the project if possible, so that you can build relationships with the people working on the production. You never know when they'll be coming back on another film and may need a local. And you can add them to your contact list so that next time you do #3, perhaps they know someone working on the project you're pursuing.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1004: Is it possible to be directing a studio feature 2 years out of film school?

I've had this question before so I will refer you to my previous answer. Before I do, I like the ambition this question reflects and hope that you take extra time to consider #3 below and maximize your "film school status" to get mentors. Here's my past answer:

Is it possible to be directing a studio feature two years out of film school? Anything is possible. Is it likely? Well, that depends on a lot of important factors. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Are you closely related to the head of a studio?

2. Did you make a film in film school that won Sundance?

3. Did you get at least 20 studio executives, A-list directors, and A-list writer mentors while in film school who are deeply invested in your talent and success?

4. Do you have a blackmail video featuring the head of feature development at a studio? (I don't condone this, but I had to ask)

The bottom line is there are politics in the studio system that go beyond the entertainment industry. Why do you think we see GE commercials every time we watch 30 Rock? It's not because Alec Baldwin thinks they bring good things to life.

So it's important that you get an understanding about studio politics, what it takes to get a director "greenlit," and the amount of money that gets invested in a film with a first time director.

Whatever you do, keep directing, everything you can (except blackmail videos of studio executives), learn from other directors who were successful early after film school, and stay focused on the most strategic path toward achieving your goals.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1003: I know I lack confidence and I need it in this business, what do I do?

First, I want you to focus on what you do have confidence in. Pick something that you feel 100% confident in: that you can tie your shoes, that you take a shower, that you know what direction the sky is. When you are sure that you have thought of something that you are 100% confident in, I want you to feel those feelings of confidence at 100%.

If you were unable to do that exercise, you may have something blocking your ability to feel confident that runs deeper than I can go with you as a career coach.

However if you were able to do the exercise, congratulations! You now know that you only lack confidence in specific situations. Now, because these situations are work related, if it has to do with your craft, then keep working on it. Preparation and practice will build your confidence. If business is the area where you're lacking confidence, it too is a practiced skill. Business and networking skills take practice just like your craft or tying your shoes.

Look over the topics of my past blogs to find the areas where you need practice. If you can't find the answers you're looking for, be more specific next time you contact me and I'll give you some techniques to work on.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1002: I'm planning a Dec vacation to Atlanta where there's lots of production. How do I maximize my trip?

Mixing work and pleasure are you? My answers will vary depending on whether you know industry people in Atlanta. If you do, make plans to see them. Perhaps plan a meet up at a restaurant where they can invite other industry people you don't know.

If you don't know anyone, you can research who lives there, whom you'd like to meet. Reach out this week for some advice about what to do while in Atlanta and ask if there are any industry events/holiday parties happening. If you feel you've built the foundation for a relationship, you can ask if he/she will be in town and you can offer to take him/her to lunch.

You can also call the film commission to see if anything will be filming while you are there and perhaps drop by for a set visit, if it's appropriate.

It would be great to mix in a little business, but don't get down on yourself if it doesn't work out. It is the holiday season and people are busy with family. You can still contact people after your visit to discuss what an amazing vacation you had.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1001: what is the best way to submit myself to new agents in this day and age of digital media?

The question continued: Email w/ photos and video attachments? Email with link to my website that has everything, or the old fashioned hard copy package?

Different agencies are going to have different preferences. Some agencies are really into "being green" and others are "old fashioned." So the best thing you can do is to make a target list of the agencies you're interested in and call each one to ask how they prefer to be solicited.

If you get someone really nice on the phone, you can tell them your type and ask who the best agent is to submit to. If you get someone not-so-nice, who tells you they're not accepting submissions, say, "thank you and for future knowledge, what does your agency prefer, green or hard copy?"

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1000: I don't live in LA so what can one do?

She also wanted to know of any reliable script competitions.

I chose this as my 1000 question to answer, because so much production is happening outside of Los Angeles and everyone is confused. The people who live in smaller or non-production cities don't know how to get work when Los Angeles productions come in and bring people with them. And the Los Angeles people don't know how to get work because the jobs are so spread out across the country and beyond.

What you all can do is:

1. Get focused in your research (so you don't find out about productions when it's too late). Talk to your film commission to find out what's coming. If you're in Los Angeles, you'll find out about productions that are going, so you want to find out who the people involved in the project are so you can get some "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon" going, and reach out to the people to take you with them, if they can.

2. Expand your contacts to include people who are in "the know" (I suggest mentorship as the best way to learn from those who are working in the industry). I interview industry mentors every month in my Greenlight Mentor Program, and the best way to learn about what's happening and what people are projecting will happen, is to learn from working people. If you live outside of Los Angeles, you can SKYPE, telephone, or email. If you live in Los Angeles, start by phone, and then work up to meeting in person. If this sounds confusing, perhaps enrolling in my program is a great place to start for you. I bring the mentors to you.

3. Use the internet. Google the people who tend to bring work to your state and see if they have a blog, a YouTubeChannel, or social media pages. Comment, ask questions, and build relationships in cyberspace no matter where you live.

*And in the case of this particular person who wanted to know about script competitions, etc. Check out Jen Grisanti.

I can't stress enough how important it is to seek out action and then take it. Too many people get stuck in not knowing what to do. The only way to find out what to do is ask people who've done it.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 999: How do you differentiate between being aggressive and being a pest?

This is the age old question that has been addressed by me many many times. The person who asked, had a meeting with someone who said that the quality she most admires is someone who is aggressive and goes for what he/she wants. Then when asked what turns her off, she said, "People who are pests."

So you can see the Questioner's dilemma.

Here is my humble opinion on the subject. There is no definition for Pest and Positively Aggressive that can help you be one and not the other. What it comes down to is your personality, your passion, and your emotional state.

I have never met an outgoing person, who is excited and passionate about what they were perusing who aggressively stayed in touch and reminded me of their goals, who struck me as a pest... NEVER.

On the other hand I have had MANY people pursue me in a whiny, miserable way, using statements like "I'm dying over here" or "I'm going crazy from lack of work" whose desperation, neediness and lack of passion was not only Pest-like, it was also enough to turn a career coach off... and it's my job to help people. But seriously, why would I want to be around someone like that (unless they are paying me A LOT of money and I mean A LOT!)

So be aware of "who you're being." Come from a place of authenticity and passion. Go for what you want and don't apologize for it. And pursue with purpose. If someone thinks you're a pest when that's who you're being.... that person is "not your people" so move on...

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