And...Action!

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

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1254: How many times a year should I do an agent mailing?

Uh Oooooh.... this is one of those questions that make me go.... hmmmm. I feel like I just addressed this recently, but maybe it was in a seminar. Agent mailings are for the most part a big waste of time and money. The reason I say that is because:

1. People don't bother to consider the timing of when they're pursuing an agent and do a mailing willy-nilly like right smack in the middle of pilot or staffing season.

2. People buy a list of addresses, don't check that they're up-to-date, don't personalize the mailing to the agent in the right department, and don't spell check names.

3. People send out resumes, reels, head shots COLD. Do you know how many thousands of people are submitting to agents? It's far more effective to get referrals to agents. The time you spend getting referrals and approaching an agent in a professional way, will be worth it compared to the years of unproductive mailings.

I'm not saying that cold mass mailings don't ever work, I'm simply offering you a more effective use of your time (because it rarely works).

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1253: Is sending someone you kinda know a birthday card brown nosing?

It concerns me that the thought of sending someone a birthday card brings up that worry for you. Makes me wonder, is it your intention to "brown nose" or do you truly want the person to have a happy birthday? It's all about the intention. It's okay to send a card for the double purpose of sending wishes and staying on the radar. Personally, I love to get cards. It's always nice to be remembered, and while Facebook birthday wishes are easy to send, the extra effort in sending a card usually doesn't go unnoticed. The more personal the card, the better.

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

Monday, August 13, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1252: What is the most important item to include on my resume?

Well, I can't pin it down to one thing being the most important, because without the following, you'd be seen as unprofessional and your resume would go in the trash. Include the following:

1. Your name (yes, seems obvious, but trust me...)

2. Your contact information (you do not need to have your home address ESPECIALLY if you're a woman or worked on a Star Wars movie)

3. Your credits

In your credits, you want to list the name of the project, the production company, and who hired you.

In addition, you'll want to include any special skills you have (that you truly are special at) for example: camera operating on horseback, skis, or aerial.

Education. This is optional. If you went to a film school or a school with a strong alumni (or a good football team... oh wait, that may just be what I care about).

DO NOT list courses that taught you skills that you should know as a professional. You can list equipment under skills.

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

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1251: you said to meet 100 people. How do you maintain all of those relationships?

Ah, great question! This person went on to describe how he has piles of business cards from people he's met recently at networking events. The key is to break it down into manageable chunks.

Here is a 7-step plan:

1. Take a few moments after meeting someone to write down personal notes on his/her card so you can easily remember what to refer back to.

2. Compose a general "nice to meet you" note.

3. Prioritize your business cards by people to whom you want to contact first.

4. Divide the follow up of 100 people by a 5 day work week (20/day) or 2 weeks (10/day) and divide the cards up accordingly into a neat piles of 20 or 10.

5. Plan the hour or two into your schedule for the week (or two)

6. During your scheduled time, personalize the general note for each person, based on your notes. This can be by email or in a greeting card*.

(*More personal, and my preferred choice, if there's a physical address on the business card. These can be bought in advance or even ordered with your name on them)

7. Send them out.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE is asking for work or reminding them you're available in this note! Tempting as it may be, stop yourself. Create the relationship FIRST, work will follow.

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

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1250: what day of the week is best to call someone?

You’ll never know until you ask. And even if they tell you: “Thursday is best for me,” you may still catch them on a Thursday where everything is upside down. Call people when you think you’ll get them in and then ask them if it’s a good time for them to talk. If they say that it’s not, ask when a good time for you to call back will be.

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

Friday, August 10, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1249: what is the minimum number of people I should know?

Why are you asking about minimums? It sounds like you want to meet as few people as possible. I always suggest a minimum of 100 people to my new clients who only know a few people. That works out to meeting less than 10 people per month over the course of one year. I encourage them to be strategic about who they meet, in other words, focus on meeting people who can hire you or know people who can hire you.

That said, I'd like to address the "wanting to meet as few as possible." There are so man GREAT people in our industry to meet. I know what you're thinking, I've heard it all. People in each classification have their schtick: Editors: we like to be alone in dark rooms. Camera: There's a reason we're behind the camera. Writers: we write so we don't have to talk to people. Actors: I'm fine when I'm in charater, but I don't want to meet people if I have to be myself. And on and on...

I've heard every classifications' reasons for not enjoying meeting people including the old faithful "I'm shy." The bottom line is, it's necessary for your career, so instead of filling your head with reasons you don't want to meet people, ask yourself, "Who can I meet today, whose life I can change for the better?" Ask better questions and you'll get better results.

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

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1248: I'm an actress and my boyfriend doesn't want me to kiss anyone in a scene. Is this normal?

I TOTALLY went through this when I graduated college and my boyfriend at the time didn’t want me to kiss guys during my scenes in acting class. Yes, it’s normal. No, it’s not realistic. You may get cast in a role where you have to kiss someone. It’s your job. If you’re kissing Bradley Cooper, it’s one of the “perks” of your job. Kidding… no I’m not.. yes I am.. sort of…

You always hear actors say, “it’s not romantic/sexual at all. You’re surrounded by people… etc. etc.” Here’s the thing, I did a film where for weeks in rehearsal I was SO attracted to my co-star, I couldn’t wait for the scene where I got to kiss him! I think we did two takes and the kiss was as sexless as a high-five from a bag lady (yeah, I don’t know what that analogy means either, it’s early). The irony is, what the “significant others really should be worried about is the intimacy and attraction that can form between actors when they are playing parts where they are in love (or lust). The job of an actor is to really feel the feelings of love and the line between feelings can get blurred. So, the kiss should be the least of your boyfriend’s worries. But don’t tell him that, because that won’t help your cause.Trust is the key to a good relationship… I think. Who knows, that’s why I’m a career coach and not a relationship coach. Good luck with this one.

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

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1247: Where can I meet Editors?

If you live in LA, they're all over the place. I'd start at the Editors Guild and then work your way to Film Independent and then go with referrals and social media.

It's also going to depend on why you want to meet Editors. If you want to hire them, they're going to be really easy to find. If you want to be hired by them, then it may take some time.

If you don't live in LA, you can still check with the MPEG because it's national, as well as any local filmmaking organizations, and social media.

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

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1246: Can YOU teach an "old dog" new tricks?

Yes I can, and yes I have. The key is that said "old dog" is willing to learn the new tricks. Like most dogs, if he likes treats, he has to obey to get them.

Okay enough with the dog metaphors.

Back to your question. Many industry veterans have come to me when they got to a point where they realized they had been fighting against change and lost. They wanted me to teach them new ways of generating work. Most took the new tools and ran with them and because of their stellar career had no problem re-emerging into the industry. Others, however, preferred that I do the work for them, or give them a magic bullet. They really didn't want to have to do things differently than they'd always done it. Why? Because who wouldn't like to have a career where the phone rings because people are seeking you out. Unfortunately, these industry veterans are still sitting by their phone waiting for it to ring... and it's not ringing.

Don't make the same mistake. Be open to learning new ways of generating work. Embrace fabulous, free ways to network like Facebook. Be willing to ask for help. And continue to ask questions.

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