Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1040: What should my next step be from corp videos to producing Films?

The next step will have to do with researching the market. As a coach, my job isn't to know your market, my job is to give you universal tools, so here's the next steps for you, no matter where you live:

1. Research the market; who is doing what you want to do successfully?

2. Research the people; who are the people who've transitioned from Corporate Video to Film?

3. Start building a reel of narrative work. As someone who wants to produce, seek out projects that you believe in.

4. GET MENTORS!!!!

5. Join entertainment organizations for filmmakers, for TV, and for documentary, and start establishing new relationships.

Even if you had no background in corporate video, and wanted to break in, these are the steps you would take. You have an advantage because of your background so use that in your conversations. Know what your background brings as an advantage for producing the type of work that interests you.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1039: I'm obsessed with to-do lists and get very frustrated when I don't get stuff done. Any suggestions?

Oooooo, a to-do list person. Welcome to my world. I know, you LOVE checking things off. I used to, now because my to-do list is on a computer, I make them pretty colors when they're done. DONE, I love that word. But unfortunately, we to-do list types know... it's never done. Once we check off or color in with pretty colors, our minds start racing for new "to-dos."

Here's 2 suggestions, one from me, the other from one of my mentors:

From me: Make your list fluid. Whatever doesn't get done that day moves to the next and then the next, with NO guilt attached. Prioritize your to-dos, so the most important ones do get done on time and then have the others as reminders, and things to give you comfort, because we to-doers get comfort knowing we have things to do. (perhaps a psychologist would like to chime in right about now)

The second, from one of my mentors, James Malinchak: Put 3 (that's it) 3 to-do actions on a post it. Do them, then crumple up the post it, throw it in the garbage, and move on with your day.

Obsession, as you put it, can lead to sleep trouble, unnecessary stress, and psychological burdens that you just don't need, because really, for most of your to-dos you have "imaginary deadlines." So, make a commitment as this new year starts, to go easy on yourself. Everything that needs to get done will. See how you can do it with ease. And I'd love to hear feedback from you on how it's working out in a few months.

Good luck!

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1038: Once I get a mentor, what am I going to talk to him about?

I get this question all the time because people who want mentors worry that they won't know what to talk about once they get them. Worry, in this case, comes from two things:

1. Lack of preparation

2. Jumping ahead of yourself

When you decide on a mentor, do your research and design questions that you want him or her to answer. Once the questions are answered it will lead you to take action and the next conversation will pick up from the results you had based on his/her advice. And so on and so on.

By "jumping ahead of yourself," I mean, you haven't even had a first mentor conversation and you're already worried about what you're going to talk about down the road. When you meet a friend through a mutual friend, find that you get along really well, and make plans to go out to lunch, do you worry about what you're going to talk about three months from now if the friendship blossoms? I sure hope not.

Mentorship is no different. Like friendships, let the relationship happen naturally. Trust that you will always do your pre-conversation work of designing "next-step" questions, and will therefore, know what to talk about.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1037:Should I seek interviews at prod. companies for work in films in pre prod or currently in prod to start?

To start? Absolutely. Breaking into the entertainment can be done in many ways. If you are interested in development, interning or assisting in a pre-production office can be very educational, and a great way to create relationships.

If you're interested in production or post, working as a set PA is a great way to learn how the different positions work as well as gain an understanding of what they're shooting and how it fits into the post production process.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1036: How do you pitch an idea?

I asked him to be more specific and he shared that it is a reality show idea that he wants to pitch to a specific television network. This could almost be two questions:

1. How to create a pitch

or

2. How to get in the door to pitch

I'll focus on 2, because you can google "how to create a pitch," or buy a book on it. It's a skill/art that is too long for a blog post.

So how do you get in the door to pitch your idea to a network. There are so many ways. Here are a sampling:

1. Get a literary agent or manager to represent the project and set up the pitch meeting for you. **You may need to have connections to get you a meeting with an agent or manager. If you don't, you'll have to pitch yourself on the phone and convince them that you have a truly unique idea.

[aside- speaking of truly unique ideas, protect yourself. Register your treatment with the WGA]

2. Attach yourself to someone who already has a track record. There are many smaller reality show production companies out there with established track records who can get in the door at networks. **from #1 applies here too.

3. Reach out to everyone you know and ask if they have connections to anyone at the network you are interested in. Even if it's someone in the mailroom, establish a relationship and then let him/her steer you to the right people.

4. Go to the website or call the development department to see what the submission policy is for a synopsis. Some companies won't look at your proposal unless it's submitted through an agent, manager, or entertainment attorney. Others will have you sign an agreement before accepting your synopsis.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1035: When does pilot season start?

I assume you're asking this question because you want to get work during pilot season. My concern is, if you don't know when pilot season starts, are you connected enough to get a job during pilot season or is that not the next step for you?

Pilots are usually staffed and cast with the top dogs, the bankable people. This is understandable, because it's going to make or break whether the show gets picked up. So if you are not already in with the "in-crowd," it is pretty challenging to get a job during pilot season.

My advice would be to focus on the relationships you need to create between now and May. That's when the upfronts are (when shows get picked up). Once a show is picked up the production company and studios start to staff writers and crew. Once the scripts are written casting begins.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1034: How do I create the best plan for 2012?

Normally I would talk about a business plan but this year I'm taking a new and fun approach. If you want in, here's the info and it's in two days...

CALL TO ADVENTURE: from Foundation to Expansion tele-seminar.

live on January 5th, 2pm PST/5pmEST

There will also be a replay sent out, so RSVP even if you can't be on the live call.

The Call to Adventure seminar is different than all of the "kick off your 2012" seminars that everybody does. This call is all about creating a totally new foundation for your life through adventure in 2012, looking at your long term vision and finding out how adding fun to expand your comfort zone will be the bridge between where you are now and where your vision sees you being in your career!

To RSVP for the Call email events@thegreenlightcoach.com subject line: Call to Adventure and you will receive the call in details

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1033: Why do people say yes to looking at my reel and then they never get to it?

I can't read people's mind. There are many reasons why people say yes to watching your reel and don't. Here are a few:

1. It's on their to-do list and they will get to it.

2. They had every intention to, but life and work got in the way.

3. You continued to follow up with them and as your attitude got more resentful, your follow up got more obnoxious (and they either felt too guilty to contact you or just thought you were a jerk)

4. You put them on the spot when you asked them to watch the reel in the first place, and like a girl who gives out a fake number, they said yes, to end the awkwardness.

5. They think your reel stinks and they don't know how to tell you so they're avoiding the situation.

6. They misplaced your reel and they don't want to admit it.

7. They thought your reel was so great they passed it onto their agent and they're waiting to find out if he's going to take you on as a client so they can share the good news with you...

I can make up stories all day. It's probably what you've been doing. The bottom line is, you, me, and everyone we know, will NEVER know the actual reason.

All you can do is go back over the conversation of when you gave the reel to them in the first place. Were you professional? Were you in rapport? Did their physiology and tonality align with their "yes?" Did you ask them to watch it by a specific time and tell them that you'd follow-up accordingly?

If you feel good about how you handled the situation, then let it go. I have a pile of DVDs of people's documentaries, short films, feature films, and pilots, that they gave me, and I had every intention of watching them. The people range from ones I've met once at a speaking engagement to clients I've had for years. I still want to watch them. If I were living in a movie, it would be Duplicity, and one of my "selves" would watch them, while another self was blogging right now and working 16 hour days, and another self was on a romantic getaway in Hawaii, and yet another one was in NY visiting my friends by a warm toasty fire.

Unfortunately, there's just one me. And yes, I'd feel awful if someone was upset with me for not watching something they gave me. But as awful as I'd feel, I can only do so much. I am doing the best I can with what I have. I'd like to think that everyone out there is doing the same. It sure beats some of the stories I made up in this blog.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1032: What is the first thing you'd have me do to kick off the new year?

Sign up for my "Call to Adventure" free call email events@theGreenlightCoach.com

CALL TO ADVENTURE: from Foundation to Expansion tele-seminar.

January 5th, 2pm PST/5pmEST

There will also be a replay sent out, so RSVP even if you can't be on the live call.

The Call to Adventure seminar is different than all of the "kick off your 2012" seminars that everybody does. This call is all about creating a totally new foundation for your life through adventure in 2012, looking at your long term vision and finding out how adding fun to expand your comfort zone will be the bridge between where you are now and where your vision sees you being in your career!

To RSVP for the Call email events@thegreenlightcoach.com subject line: Call to Adventure and you will receive the call in details

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1031: How do I deal with New Years drunks, when I don't drink?

The same way you deal with them every other day of the year. Listen, I know it can be annoying having a drunk person spitting all over you, and all the other unpleasantries that come with someone who has had one too many, but if you're going out to celebrate the new year, then focus on that. Have fun! Let the drunks be merry, and you be as far from them as possible should they feel the need to get sick.

And if you don't normally go out, because you don't like to be around drinkers and New Years is the exception, than just be understanding that people all have fun in their own way.

Hey, at least you won't have a hangover.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1030: How do you make real, sincere friends in a city full of fake people?

Family you're born into, friends... you choose. When you're young, you are put into forced social situations, like school, where you find your "group." The groups shift and expand as the grades get higher and smaller grade schools merge into larger middle schools, and finally everyone into one high school.

And then off to college. A whole new group of people with whom to assimilate. Perhaps, you're still forced into social situations like dorms, classes, sports, the Greek system, making it easier to sort for the like-minded people.

As we are sent out into the "real world" of being an entrepreneur, which make no mistake, you are as an entertainment industry professional, the forced situations aren't as readily available.

When I first moved to LA away from my friends and family in NY, I met a lot of "doozies." My sister referred to them as my "Freshman Year Friends." The similarity is clear: a new place, brand new people, and the longing to connect and have that familiar feeling you have with your "old friends," can cloud your judgement.

Be patient. There are certainly "fake people" in this city, but remember, that's your perspective. Those fake people have a whole circle of friends who think they're the coolest guys since James Dean.

Finding like-minded people means being open to the possibility that all of the wonderful and real people (by your definition) are out there. You start by finding one. That one person will have more friends whom you will likely connect with and they'll tell two friends and they'll tell two friends, and so on and so on...

Also, do what you love to do. If you love the beach, go to the beach. If you love sports, get onto a team. You're most likely to find people you connect with doing what you love to do.

The most important thing to remember is to focus on your reason for being here. Don't let anyone throw you off your game because they're not your "type." Do your job, and do it well, and before you know it, you'll be surrounded by great people.

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

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!