Saturday, March 3, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1091:How do I sharpen my negotiating skills? (ex: day rate)

I get this question a lot from people who don't have agents. Negotiating is a skill that takes practice and training. Now, if you're like most people in the industry, you don't have a lot of opportunity to practice or you'd probably have an agent who snatched you up to do the job for you. Training can be expensive, time consuming, and in many instances, boring for creative people.

So, here's an answer that you probably didn't expect. It is fun and extremely entertaining while at the same time educational:

1. LEAVE ALL CASH, CREDIT CARDS, & CHECKBOOKS in your car
2. Go into A and/or B (at least three 1 high end, 1 low end, 1 middle):
a. GYMS: Equinox, Crunch, 24 Hour Fitness, Ballys, a small neighborhood gym
b. CARS: Bentley, Lexus, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Kia
3. Allow yourself to be "sold to"
4. Negotiate with them BUT don't buy
5. Give them your real phone number and email address, so you can see their follow up techniques

Gym and car sales people are trained to negotiate. You can learn so much from their different styles. A Lexus sales person negotiates much differently than a Toyota sales person.

Back in your car, jot down some notes. What worked? What turned you off? What words were used to persuade you? What was their body language? Did they create rapport with you, and if so, how? Was a manager brought in to help close you, and if so, was the manager's style different?

Start writing a script based on bits and pieces you take from each that you found to be effective. Then try negotiating with people in your life for basic things like, a movie you want to see, a restaurant you want to try, and the new car you now want to buy because the Lexus dealer was so darn good!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1091:How do I get a mentor if...

...there are only a few people who do what I do and I know as much as them?"

This brings up a very universal issue. When it comes to getting mentors, while it's great to have mentors who are doing what you want to be doing already, if you are in this person's position, at the same level, they're not the type of mentor you need.

In this case you'd be seeking out business advice and guidance from either:

1. The classification of people who hire you (so unless you know everybody who hires your classification, this type is good for you)

or

2. Any parallel classification who gets hired by the same classification as you. For example: If you're an Editor, a parallel classification (ones who also get hired by producers and directors) would be a DP, Production Designer, Actor, Writer, Key Hair & Makeup, etc. Why? Because if they are successful, they can give you advice on what they do. You're all in the same boat, just different classifications.

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!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1090: How do I know if someone has un-friended me on Facebook?

You just go to their page and if it says, "add so-and-so" as a friend, and he/she had been a friend, you've been unfriended.

There are many reasons why someone "un-friends" you, other than their significant other no longer wants you writing on their wall or you're a stalker. I chose to answer this question today, because 4 TIMES this week, I've had people put their links on my personal wall without my permission.

The first three I un-friended immediately. The fourth, I wrote on her wall "my rules" if you will. She just became my friend so she hasn't seen my rants about Facebook Etiquette. Maybe she won't like my rules and un-friend me. But here's the deal people.

BE PROFESSIONAL ON FACEBOOK!!!
1. Quit the silly stuff (I've blocked these apps so I don't know if they're still current)but don't hit work colleagues with pillows, send them prayers, and offer to plant crap in their garden! I don't care about your Mafia Wars!!!!

2. DO NOT ADVERTISE (yes advertise because that's what you're doing when you put your link on MY wall) without permission. EVERYONE is invited to put your links and self promote on my business wall https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenlightCoach because that's why I created it, so you can have a community to promote yourself.

3. DON'T POST your party pictures that make you look like a moron or a slut (even if you think you look hot in the picture). Now I post my pictures from Halloween or with heavy metal groups because people in the industry who like heavy metal, connect with me on that.

I'm not trying to be mean, I'm trying to save you from being UnFriended. I know you mean well, but people you don't know or barely know, who've just accepted your friendship DO NOT want to be solicited for work ESPECIALLY on their wall for everyone to see.

And to think, my questionee was just wondering who was de-friending him. Don't worry about who doesn't want to be your friend, focus on and nurture the friends you have by being respectful and professional.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1089:How do you get to go to the Oscars if you're not nominated?

I assume you're not a star who would be a presenter either. There actually is a way to attend if you aren't invited. You can be a seat filler. Research it, and get yourself a nice dress (or tux).

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!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1088: Is it okay to walk up to someone you know from Facebook but never met?

Is it okay? It's the beauty of social media. On Friday I was at a networking event and a guy walked up next to me and I instantly thought I knew him, like he was my buddy. Before he could introduce himself, I said, "Facebook friend!" We talked for a while, and it was so easy because he does comment on my posts so we know things about each other. Isn't that what a friend is? Someone who knows what's going on in your life and cares enough to talk to you about it. These days it doesn't have to be a phone call or an email. It can be someone in your Facebook friends who was once a stranger, telling you that he/she sends good thought to you when you've lost someone, or tells you to eat when you post that you haven't eaten all day, or has an Anchorman quote showdown with you on your wall.

I find the industry getting much smaller thanks to Facebook.

Absolutely walk up to the person and say, "hey, we're Facebook friends!" BUT as always, be professional about it. If the person appears to be having an important business lunch--- not the time.

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!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1087: How can I meet Casting Directors?

This was a question asked of me at a networking event, by a very charming young man. Our conversation didn't start out about his acting, it started out regarding his book which became a best seller. It's subject matter, imitates what my favorite writer did 30 years ago, so I was instantly pulled into the conversation. As we got further into the discussion and he brought up acting, I asked him the first question I always ask, "how many people do you know in the entertainment industry." His answer was 300 (that's 100 more than the "sweet spot"). Now I knew something was missing. How can he know so many people and not be making any progress?

Naturally I asked him my next question, "how many casting directors do you know?" He floundered for a moment then said, "one, sort of." AH HA! Mystery solved. So naturally he asked me how he was supposed to meet casting directors. I told him I'd answer him in my blog.

1. Ask the people you already know to give you referrals to the casting directors they know
2. Build relationships through casting director workshops (there's a whole strategy to this, but you have to coach with me... I can't give you all of my secrets for free)
3. Offer to do an internship in casting directors' offices
4. Attend networking events that involve casting directors
5. Join philanthropic organizations that casting directors are a part of

Yes, you have to do research for 4 & 5. Remember casting directors are people, treat them with respect and always look to create a win/win.

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!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1086: Do people have careers in entertainment anywhere else besides Hollywood?

Yes. I don't know how old you are or how small of a town you live in, but entertainment happens all over this country... all over this world. You must have access to the internet because you emailed me. There's a search engine (www.google.com). Put in where you live and entertainment organizations and see what comes up.

I've been traveling to production cities across the US and Canada. To everyone reading this, if you are so inclined, please email me: where you live and what your biggest work challenges are, so I can tailor my speaking engagements to your city. AND if you are a part of an organization, or a community and would like me to come and speak, send me an email.

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!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1085:How does being on a set differ from being in class?

It's a whole other world. Class is nurturing, it's practice, it can be "time-indulgent." On set, things happen fast. People aren't necessarily giving you feedback or positive reinforcement. You have to be at your most confident on set. You have to make your choices and leave self-talk and self-doubt behind. My coach Brad William Henke, a successful working actor, says to think about how much work goes into preparing for an audition and then the actual audition takes minutes (This applies to preparing for interviews for other classifications). It can go just as quickly on set.

Sometimes on set you don't get a second take. Do your work before hand and be prepared to do your best and do it fast. There are also a lot of distractions on set that aren't in class (unless you're in Brad's class where it's all part of his teaching). You can be in the middle of your scene and see people walking around in the background, a cell phone can ring in the middle of your line and you have to start over, or you can do an amazing take and the focus was soft so you have to do it again. You may not even be told that's why you're re-doing the take.

This is why you see the same people hired over and over, because they know how to work on set. That's why I recommend set visits so you can familiarize yourself with the pace, and the lulls.

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!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1084:Should you physically mail or email your resume to casting and production offices?

Since it's obvious that you're sending cold resumes (which I don't recommend but unless you're coaching with me you probably don't know what else to do, so keep doing it), the best thing you can do is take the guess work out of it.

CALL the offices and ask how they prefer to receive resumes and headshots. If they say email, ask to whose attention and for their email address. Otherwise ask for the physical address if you don't already have it.

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!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1083:How can I reach out to Casting Directors in another state before I move there?

"I'm moving to Atlanta to pursue my acting career. I plan on sending my headshot and resumes to casting directors before I get there, How can I reach out to them to find about job opportunities working as casting assistant and reader."

Okay, my advice is not to reach out with headshots and resumes asking for job opportunities and to be a reader. They receive these requests from strangers all the time. Instead, reach out to them to be your mentor. Let them know you have a plan to move to Atlanta and want to be smart about it. Before you move there you are seeking business advice and guidance from them. Ask if they would be willing to answer some questions about the state of the industry there for you. Then when they agree, have 5 very specific questions that would help you get acclimated quickly; what networking opportunities are available? who should you focus on meeting before you move there? what is the state of the industry at the moment in the city? what should you be doing to prepare for your move? etc. Make sure you get off the call with action steps they've provided, and ask them if it would be alright to call them in the future if you have more business questions.

When they say YES, take the actions they suggest and follow up a month later to let them know your progress and ask for more action tasks. Do this at least three times until they know you, like you, and are building a trust with you. Eventually, if you have someone in each casting office advising you, one of them may give you a break and once that happens and you thank the others for their help and let them know the good news of your job, the domino effect begins...

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!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1082:When you mail a headshot and resume to a casting director should you send a postcard a week later?

It depends on what the cover letter said with the headshot and also what the postcard says. Most CDs who keep headshots on file, don't need a "reminder" postcard.

On the other hand, there is always room for a postcard campaign. A campaign is a planned strategy for getting yourself noticed and branded toward what they cast. In other words, you want it to be unique, interesting, and if appropriate... funny. By campaign I'm talking about a minimum of 7 weeks. You want the people who work in the CD office to look forward to your postcards until they know your name and face. Then when something right for you comes along, they want to bring in the person who made them laugh, or made them think, and stood out!

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!

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1280: I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language (cont'd)

"I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language. I  am looking to improve my comprehension when I read my text book...