Monday, October 27, 2014

Film career in Entertainment Business - Find a gig


Your target employer list is in the central element in your job search process. This list tells us, and you where you want to intern and or work, so make sure the list is relevant to your interests. It's pointless to pursue an internship or get a job somewhere that you don't really want to work. Preparing a target employee list can help you identify potential employers in your field.

What to do: Research and write down the following information for at least 15 potential employers, internship providers, companies, talent, studios, films, TV shows, etc.

Contact info: Get the full contact details of each of the 15 potential employers on your list: address, phone, and email if you can.  Try to get a contact name, along with their title and position and email address.

This is important so that you can contact these potential employers for a possible internship, which could be your ticket to a paid job or entry-level position.

Greatest achievements: Know them! Oscars, Emmys, movies that grossed over $100 million, etc.  If you know what they are famous for you can impress them with your knowledge in your cover letter and during your interview by showing them that you have done your homework, but if you don't know, you run the risk of offending them!

Biggest names: If it is a company that you were interested in, no the most important names of the talent that they work with, producers, directors actors, and staff executive assistants. It is very important to know the names of the people working at the company, and also the names of the people or talent who made the company what it is. You never know who might walk into your interview.

Reason: Find the one thing that attracts you to the company. Perhaps your favorite TV shows, franchises, or movies that were developed or produced there. Knowing why you were interested in the company may mean the difference between standing out from the crowd and getting lost in the shuffle at interview time. If you can address that reason in your cover letter, it might ensure that you get the interview.

Connection: Try your hardest to find one thing that connects you to the company maybe you and an executive from there came from the same hometown, or you and the talent you are approaching both share a hobby or favorite charitable cause?  There is no better way to establish a professional bond than by finding something in common with that person beyond the entertainment industry. No matter how much you idolize that person here she is just a person, like you.

Rank the list: Use 1 to 5 star system and rank the list. Five stars for your top choices of places to work or intern, down to one star for the less desirable.  It helps you to narrow down which companies you should target first.


SAMPLE ONLY:

Contact Info:
Eight Delta Marketing Group (EDMG)
4000 Balboa Blvd.
Newport Beach, CA 92661

Staff:
George Ohan, Senior Partner
Andy Nguyen, Partner
Anthony Bloodworth, Segment producer
Viviana Millan, Director of International Business

Greatest Achievements:
Distribution for documentary film Brothers At War.  Manage social media accounts for: American Legion, Cal Vet, and several film projects.  Manage USO entertainment tours for G.I.’s of Comedy and Harmony Music.

Biggest Talent Names:
Gary Sinise, Norman S Powell, Jake Rademacher, Jack Scalia,
John Duffy, Xavier Ybarra.

Latest Projects:
Film, Just Another Dance With My Father.  Film, The Flag.  Fundraiser video, Gary Sinise Foundation.

Reason:
EDMG creates HD content for small business and big businesses.  I really love how involved they are with veterans, at-risk youth, and people with disabilities.

Connection:
George Ohan, their senior partner and I both love the Dodgers and ocean sports.

Purpose:
I would like to intern or work at this company.


You will need 15 of these…. 1 for every place that you’d like to work or intern.  If you are reading this, then you have found some very useful knowledge on landing work in the entertainment business.