Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1149:How many people are pursing a career in entertainment?

Why do you want to know that? It's impossible to calculate. There are so many different classifications.

For each person who gives up and goes back to the town he came from, another new person arrives.

In my experience, under this question usually lies the question, "what is my competition?" My answer is instead of focusing on your competition, focus on what you can do to move your career forward.

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!
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1148: I just moved to LA. How do I make enough money to stay here while I try to get industry work?

Well, you broke many of my rules regarding relocation (see question 31, April 3rd, 2009).

That said, congratulations and welcome to LA! This questions varies depending on classification. Actors, specifically, generally need their days free for auditioning. If you are not an actor who auditions regularly, follow the guidelines I'm about to share.

I'm going to answer this question with the assumption that you're not moving out here with a large number of contacts who can hire you, back your projects, or represent you because you're an "it-guy/gal." Therefore, I always suggest getting a job in the business.

I know, I know... you're thinking, "but that will take so much of my time and I want to devote all of my time to my career so it launches fast!"

CUT TO:
INT. RENTED APARTMENT - FIVE YEARS LATER - DAY

YOU looking at your life realizing how quickly time has flown by and you are still living in a rented apartment, eating ramen noodles, and bar tending.

Could you be the exception to this scene? Possibly. But if you are one of the 98% who aren't the exception, it's going to be a long impoverished road, that can lead you into dark, desperate times.

Yes, you can wait tables, bar tend, work at Home Depot, but what if you didn't? What if you took a job working at a studio, production company, agency ,or PAd on sets? By doing this, you make "some money" (generally as much as a server in an average restaurant), the advantage though, are the connections and opportunities that you would never get in "side jobs."

If you use the tools that you learn from me during one year at an industry job, you can acquire:

1. Amazing mentors

2. Relationships with assistants; tomorrow's producers, agents, writers, directors, etc.

3. Skills that will give you an edge over future competition

4. An understanding of industry politics

5. Access to the "circles of influence"

While working at an industry job, you can continue whatever you came out here to do: write, go to acting class, build your directing reel, produce projects, edit, shoot, design...

AND should you get your break while at this industry job--you quit. There are hundreds of people in line to fill your seat at the desk. You're just going to have to trust me that a year is not a long time to devote to building your business.

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Monday, April 30, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1147: How do I get my foot in the door with a cold email?

The person who wrote this said that usually the best way for him to reach people is via email. But when trying to get in to new post houses, he doesn't know what kind of email to send other than a "Hi I'm ___, here's my resume.. it'd be great to be in touch." He imagines they get a lot of those and wants some tips to stand out.

First of all, he's right. The type of email he was referring to is a solicitation because his resume's attached. Clearly if you attach a resume, the person on the other end thinks "this person just wants a job." And if you want to get into a new post house (or insert your potential contacts) it's important to create a relationship with the people. Soliciting them will immediately cut off the possibility of building a relationship.

You want to make a request that a person can say yes to. For instance:
1. "I've heard wonderful things about your facility. Would it be possible to come in for a tour?"
2. If you know of someone specific who works there, you can send a business advice and guidance mentorship request.
3. You can ask colleagues and social media connections for a referral to the people you want to meet and open your email with "John thought we should connect.

Put yourself in the person's shoes. Imagine what his/her day is like. If you were in their position, what would get your interest? What would help you? What would make you want to say YES to a stranger?"


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1146::Do I really need a good academic background to make it in Hollywood?


Well, that’s what my parents told me… but that was so I’d have something “to fall back on.”
It depends on what classification you’re in and what kind of academic background you’re referring to. It helps for a writer to know spelling and grammar. Some below-the-line classifications like an art history or fine arts background. Directors may want a psychology degree to help them deal with the different personalities they’ll have to manage.
Overall, most classifications don’t need an academic background. What you do need is:
1. Training in your craft/skill
2. Marketing and sales training
3. Business training
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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1145: How long does it realistically take to make it as a screenwriter?

First, let me re-phrase that question to add in any classification in the entertainment industry. Then let me give you the answer you may not want to hear, but it's the answer you need to hear.

There is no realistic time table, in fact there's no time table at all. I'll go even further to say there's barely a measure of someone who's "made-it." I work with Oscar and Emmy winners who are out of work. People who you view as successful, are scared of losing the ground they've gained. You've watched huge names like Travolta, Roberts, and Rourke go from huge to vanished to huge again...

Some people vanish and never make it back, some people make it, yet aren't a "household" name. So what's a person who needs more stability to do?

1. Define what "making it" means for you, so you'll know when you're there.

2. If you need a timetable, decide that. If you don't want to put a timetable on your success, plan for additional streams of income so that money is never forcing you to give up on your dream.

3. Treat the business like a business. No lame excuses for not knowing what to do. You have ME to tell you. Too many people "wish they'd met me when they first started pursuing their career." It's unfortunate I was a toddler then, but nonetheless, I'm here now and armed with information.

4. Invest in yourself and your career.

5. Surround yourself with experts.

To your success...

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Friday, April 27, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1144: What do you do when your family doesn't get/support what you do?

This is a tough scenario. I've coached a lot of husbands whose frustrated non-pro wives, give them ultimatums, young adults whose parents "give them a few years," and friends who joke "Are you still doing that (insert your talent here) thing?"

Creatives are very sensitive people for a number of reasons:

1. They constantly feel judged
2. Their work is an extension of themselves
3. They don't always get rewarded with money
4. They have a dream that not only seems like a fantasy to non-pro people, they also have a talent that tears them up inside if they can't share it
5. Insert your reason here: __________________________________

There is a solution-- a great one. You must share with your loved ones and friends only the bits they can understand. For the rest, you MUST seek out people who are beyond where you are now, who know what it takes to succeed, and most importantly, can see you BIGGER than you can see yourself.

If your wealth is the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with... the sum of your success can also be measured by the 5 people you spend the most time with. In other words, if you spend a lot of time with people who see your great potential they will continue to lift you up. If you spend your time talking about your goals to people who don't get them, they will discourage you, not from a bad place, but because they want to protect you. Sheltered people don't soar... find people who will push you to your greatest heights!

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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1143: Can one get a steady job in the entertainment industry?


Is any job really steady this day and age? For the most part, positions in the entertainment industry are freelance. There are some studio and agency jobs that are contract jobs, but the reality is, nothing is truly stable in this industry.

Some people are fortunate enough to get on a series that lasts for ten years. They, unfortunately, have their own set of complaints.

If you were a teacher or a janitor and had tenure, your union would protect your job. In the entertainment industry, a union protects your contract and safety. An entertainment union can not guarantee/secure a job for you. Basically, you are a business owner, so the success of your business depends on you.

Knowing this, I suggest multiple streams of income.

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1142: Question about a time management technique from your newsletter

the question continued, "I've been experimenting with the time-management techniques from your newsletter. I've been doing the one where I write down 3 things I want to get done for the day and then I throw the paper away. What do I do with the rest of my day?"

It sounds to me like you're a do-er. That technique is for people who can't get started or focused, or simply don't want the pressure of a long to-do list. It works really well for them. If you're finding that you're getting your 3 things done and have plenty of "business time" left in the day, you can certainly do more. You chose the 3 most important things and accomplished them. Celebrate that and then do more on the days you feel like working, or take some time to do something non-work related on the days you feel like giving yourself a break.

My newsletters are jumping off points. You have an "And...Action!" task, because I want to get you started. You've taken the bull by the horns, now make it your own.

And once again, congratulations for taking action and implementing the techniques I write about in my newsletter!

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!
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1141: I read your list of people to get referrals to on page 79 how do you ask when people are so competitive?

This was a question from someone who is reading my book AND ACTION!

Here are my suggestions for asking for referrals:
1. Ask people you’re not in direct competition with. Who else knows the classification of people you're trying to meet?
2. Explain clearly, what you want to speak to their contacts about. Many times people aren't sure why you're asking for the referral, so they are resistant. Be sure to give them a reason they can say yes to.
3. Have an upbeat energy when you’re asking, a mindset of possibility. If you sound like you're apologizing for asking, or have any negativity in your tonality and/or physiology, people pick up on that. They want to help people who are confident and upbeat.
4. Be prepared (have a target list). Straight out of Jerry Maguire - help them to help you.
5. Know your objections before and have an answer prepared. If people have said no in the past, know why and address those objections in the future either directly or change how you're asking for the referral.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
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Monday, April 23, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1140: Is it difficult crossing over from television to film, or vice versa?

Back in the day, you were one or the other. In recent years, the business has changed and people go back and forth. Is it difficult? That depends. Do you have solid relationships with people who can hire you in both? Do you have individual marketing materials for each medium? Do you have a recognizable name?

If you didn't answer yes, to any of the questions, it can certainly be a challenge. Now you know what's missing, and you can work to build in those areas to make the cross-over easier.

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