A client called me yesterday because he had landed an interview at two very prominent talent agencies in Los Angeles, for their agent training programs.
And, since he knew that my rise through the talent agency ranks had been meteoric, from talent assistant to head of television in 30 days, with NO agency experience, he wanted to ask my advice on a few things. (The fact that no one returned my calls during my first year on the job is a whole other story!)
Towards the end of our conversation, the topic of wardrobe came up and he told me that he was going to wear khaki pants, a navy blazer, a white shirt with a red tie and nice shoes. Then he asked me what I thought...
I told him he needed to wear a suit.
His response was that he was going to wear khaki pants, a navy blazer and a really great red tie, and that he thought this was a really nice outfit. Again, I told him he needed to wear a suit.
This went on for four or five more minutes, back and forth, telling me how nice the khaki pants were; that they weren't chinos, but really nice pants, and would that be okay?
Once again, I told him that ... HE NEEDED TO WEAR A SUIT!
It wasn't until this afternoon that I wondered why he asked for my opinion in the first place, since all he really wanted me to do was agree that his outfit was okay for these interviews.
The only problem was that it was not okay. He needed to dress for the job he wanted (future talent agent), not the job he currently has (waiter).
I recently had the chance to catch one of my favorite movies on TV: Working Girl, with Sigourney Weaver and Melanie Griffith.
At one point in the movie, Sigourney's character makes this comment to Melanie's character: Dress shabbily, they notice the clothes. Dress impeccably, they notice you.
In order for my client to compete at the level he wants to compete at, he has to dress the part; and the agents at both of these agencies wear full suits - not khaki pants.
So what, exactly, is the point of this story?
I guess it's this:
There are a lot of people in this business who are more than willing to share their knowledge with you. However, if you have the good fortune to meet one of us, and you ask us for our opinion, or our help with something, then at least be willing to listen to what we have to say!
However, if the only thing you want is for us to agree with you on a particular issue, then please DON'T ask for our opinion. Or, if you do ask, please don't argue with whatever information we offer.
Honestly, it really doesn't matter to me what clothes my client wears to these interviews. He could wear jeans for all I care, because I'm not the one he needs to impress, and I'm not the one interviewing for the job. But, I'm also done offering my opinion more than one time, when asked, because it seems to go in one ear and out the other.
My grandmother once told me that you should never argue with a child because you're never going to win...
Grandma was right!
To Your Success,
Sharon
www.TheIndustryCoach.com
www.101TipsForActors.com
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
101 Tips for Actors
Hi Everyone!
After a very long incubation period, I wanted to let you know that I have finally finished my book, "101 Tips for Actors: Secrets for Success Every Actor Must Know," and it's now for sale.
The book is for all actors, from the novice to the professional, and is designed to give them insider secrets about this business, in order to help them move forward in their careers.
The website for the book is: www.101TipsForActors.com
I’m even offering FREE HOLIDAY SHIPPING to family and friends … as well as friends of friends! So, if you know anyone who is pursuing an acting career, regardless of their skill level, I would ask you to please forward this message on to them!
The SPECIAL HOLIDAY CODE to receive free shipping is: 121507 and is good on all orders placed by midnight on Saturday, December 15th.
Here's hoping that 2008 is your most prosperous year, yet!
Happy Holidays,
Sharon
www.TheIndustryCoach.com
After a very long incubation period, I wanted to let you know that I have finally finished my book, "101 Tips for Actors: Secrets for Success Every Actor Must Know," and it's now for sale.
The book is for all actors, from the novice to the professional, and is designed to give them insider secrets about this business, in order to help them move forward in their careers.
The website for the book is: www.101TipsForActors.com
I’m even offering FREE HOLIDAY SHIPPING to family and friends … as well as friends of friends! So, if you know anyone who is pursuing an acting career, regardless of their skill level, I would ask you to please forward this message on to them!
The SPECIAL HOLIDAY CODE to receive free shipping is: 121507 and is good on all orders placed by midnight on Saturday, December 15th.
Here's hoping that 2008 is your most prosperous year, yet!
Happy Holidays,
Sharon
www.TheIndustryCoach.com
Saturday, October 20, 2007
My Book is Done!
Just a quick note to let you know that my book, 101 Tips For Actors: Secrets for Success Every Actor Must Know, is finally done!
So mark your calendars for November 18th, because that is the official date of the book launch and you definitely WON'T want to miss it!
Inside 101 Tips for Actors, you'll learn:
- The Easiest Way to Get Your SAG Card
- The Best Time to Visit Your Agent
- What Happens When Your Agent Runs Out of Your Pictures
- Who the "Real" Hollywood Players are
- And much, much more!
After working as an actor and spending 5 years as an agent, I KNOW what it takes to be a successful actor, and now I'm ready to share it with you!
Don't forget: November 18th is the day when you, too, can find out all the insider secrets that will help you take your career to the next level!
101 TIPS FOR ACTORS: SECRETS FOR SUCCESS EVERY ACTOR MUST KNOW
I can't wait to share my secrets with YOU!
Sharon
So mark your calendars for November 18th, because that is the official date of the book launch and you definitely WON'T want to miss it!
Inside 101 Tips for Actors, you'll learn:
- The Easiest Way to Get Your SAG Card
- The Best Time to Visit Your Agent
- What Happens When Your Agent Runs Out of Your Pictures
- Who the "Real" Hollywood Players are
- And much, much more!
After working as an actor and spending 5 years as an agent, I KNOW what it takes to be a successful actor, and now I'm ready to share it with you!
Don't forget: November 18th is the day when you, too, can find out all the insider secrets that will help you take your career to the next level!
101 TIPS FOR ACTORS: SECRETS FOR SUCCESS EVERY ACTOR MUST KNOW
I can't wait to share my secrets with YOU!
Sharon
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Nicole Richie ... In & Out!
Just heard that Nicole is already out of jail ... Wow!
Okay, Girlfriend, now it's time for you to stay safe and stay sober because you've got a little one on the way and a new life ahead of you, providing you with the opportunity to make different (and better) choices!
Best Wishes,
Sharon
Okay, Girlfriend, now it's time for you to stay safe and stay sober because you've got a little one on the way and a new life ahead of you, providing you with the opportunity to make different (and better) choices!
Best Wishes,
Sharon
Nicole Richie in Jail!
E! Entertainment just announced the Nicole Richie turned herself into jail this afternoon (reporting to the same facility that Paris Hilton was in), ready to serve her 90 hour sentence.
Kudos to you, Nicole, for facing up to your mistakes, and for taking control of the situation and reporting early, instead of waiting until the last possible moment. The word on the street is that you may only be in jail for 12 hours, due to overcrowding, but I admire you for taking the bull by the horns and getting it over!
Be strong, girl - You're going to be fine!
Godspeed,
Sharon
Kudos to you, Nicole, for facing up to your mistakes, and for taking control of the situation and reporting early, instead of waiting until the last possible moment. The word on the street is that you may only be in jail for 12 hours, due to overcrowding, but I admire you for taking the bull by the horns and getting it over!
Be strong, girl - You're going to be fine!
Godspeed,
Sharon
Monday, August 13, 2007
Steven Spielberg "Transforms" Josh Duhamel
As The Industry Coach, I am constantly dealing with clients whose only goal is to become a huge movie star.
Personally, I have no problem with anyone who desires stardom on the big screen. That said, however, I do have a problem with any actor who snubs the small screen (i.e. Television) and only wants to go out on movie auditions.
The truth of the matter is that there are far more acting jobs available in television than there are in movies. Additionally, and maybe even more importantly, many of today's movie stars started on the small screen, before becoming the "stars" they are now, including: George Clooney, Michelle Williams, Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Demi Moore, and Health Ledger, just to name a few.
Josh Duhamel is the latest actor to join the movie star ranks for one simple reason: Steven Spielberg saw him on an episode of Las Vegas (NBC) and pushed for him to join the cast of Transformers. It was that simple. Can you imagine?!
There's an old saying in Hollywood that goes like this: "There are no such thing as small parts, only small actors."
As an actor, it's important for you to give it everything you've got, no matter what the circumstances, because you just never know when Steven Spielberg might come knocking on your door, offering YOU the part of a lifetime!
Wishing You Success,
Sharon
Personally, I have no problem with anyone who desires stardom on the big screen. That said, however, I do have a problem with any actor who snubs the small screen (i.e. Television) and only wants to go out on movie auditions.
The truth of the matter is that there are far more acting jobs available in television than there are in movies. Additionally, and maybe even more importantly, many of today's movie stars started on the small screen, before becoming the "stars" they are now, including: George Clooney, Michelle Williams, Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Demi Moore, and Health Ledger, just to name a few.
Josh Duhamel is the latest actor to join the movie star ranks for one simple reason: Steven Spielberg saw him on an episode of Las Vegas (NBC) and pushed for him to join the cast of Transformers. It was that simple. Can you imagine?!
There's an old saying in Hollywood that goes like this: "There are no such thing as small parts, only small actors."
As an actor, it's important for you to give it everything you've got, no matter what the circumstances, because you just never know when Steven Spielberg might come knocking on your door, offering YOU the part of a lifetime!
Wishing You Success,
Sharon
Friday, August 3, 2007
Six Degrees of Martina McBride
I have a confession to make. I've never been a huge fan of country music. My grandmother, however, loved it ... especially the "old" country songs about cowboys and horses, lost loves and broken hearts.
Then along came Faith Hill and Shania Twain and that's when everything changed for me, because even though their music was still "country" (at least to some people), it had enough pop to it, that I was able to enjoy it, too.
Now that I divide my time between California and Montana, my taste for country music is slowly growing, and I've since become a fan of Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, and Rascal Flatts, just to name a few. So, the other night when ABC aired the TV special, "Six Degrees of Martina McBride," I was curious enough to sit down and watch the show. I've always loved the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" Visa Commercial, so I knew this would be an interesting project.
So what does this have to do with working in the entertainment industry? EVERYTHING!
As The Industry Coach, I am forever telling (or reminding) my clients that in this business, or in any business for that matter, but especially in the entertainment industry, "it's not what you know ... it's WHO you know!" And the Martina McBride project is proof of how important the concept of networking really is.
If you didn't see the show, the premise was this: if six aspiring country singers, without any connections to Martina McBride, could actually find her and meet her in person, using their own connections with up to six other people, they would have the opportunity to win a recording contract with Martina's record label, Sony BMG.
Believe it or not, all six of them succeeded at this task; they all met Martina and one lucky woman really did win a recording contract. So who was this woman and who did she know? While I don't remember how her chain-of-command went, I will tell you this: her first phone call was to a man from whom she bought a pickup truck!
If she can do it, you can too, because the truth of the matter is this: We are all just 6 people away from achieving our dreams. However, most of us don't take the time to sit down and work through our address book, or, we're afraid to ask for help. Either way, unless we're willing to change our behavior and become fearless in the pursuit of our dreams, we will always be six degrees away from what we truly want.
In closing, I want to leave you with these thoughts:
1) What do you really want?
2) Who do you know who can help you get started?
3) Are you ready to go for it?
You can do it - I know you can!
Cheers,
Sharon
Then along came Faith Hill and Shania Twain and that's when everything changed for me, because even though their music was still "country" (at least to some people), it had enough pop to it, that I was able to enjoy it, too.
Now that I divide my time between California and Montana, my taste for country music is slowly growing, and I've since become a fan of Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, and Rascal Flatts, just to name a few. So, the other night when ABC aired the TV special, "Six Degrees of Martina McBride," I was curious enough to sit down and watch the show. I've always loved the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" Visa Commercial, so I knew this would be an interesting project.
So what does this have to do with working in the entertainment industry? EVERYTHING!
As The Industry Coach, I am forever telling (or reminding) my clients that in this business, or in any business for that matter, but especially in the entertainment industry, "it's not what you know ... it's WHO you know!" And the Martina McBride project is proof of how important the concept of networking really is.
If you didn't see the show, the premise was this: if six aspiring country singers, without any connections to Martina McBride, could actually find her and meet her in person, using their own connections with up to six other people, they would have the opportunity to win a recording contract with Martina's record label, Sony BMG.
Believe it or not, all six of them succeeded at this task; they all met Martina and one lucky woman really did win a recording contract. So who was this woman and who did she know? While I don't remember how her chain-of-command went, I will tell you this: her first phone call was to a man from whom she bought a pickup truck!
If she can do it, you can too, because the truth of the matter is this: We are all just 6 people away from achieving our dreams. However, most of us don't take the time to sit down and work through our address book, or, we're afraid to ask for help. Either way, unless we're willing to change our behavior and become fearless in the pursuit of our dreams, we will always be six degrees away from what we truly want.
In closing, I want to leave you with these thoughts:
1) What do you really want?
2) Who do you know who can help you get started?
3) Are you ready to go for it?
You can do it - I know you can!
Cheers,
Sharon
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