I had a great time working with Mr. John Chang and Mr. Andre Andrews. We are on a quest to build a digital citizen.
The Google + Hangout "Test Run" was a success. We are looking at a date in February for the actual meet up. It will be available online too. We will LIVE stream the social media discussion as a Google+ Hangout. #SaveSandra #SocialMediaZones #SocialMedia
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
How to Book a job or gig as an indie filmmaker
DISCLAIMER: There are many ways of doing many things. Below you will read about one way of making money as an independent filmmaker. There may be more effective ways that you like better. Please take the time to research what works best for you. READING is a MUST. If you need help with anything below, you can contact me at georgeohan@gmail.com
-------------------------------------
Independent filmmakers usually have a hard time making money.... Why? Well, I think it is because most of them are actually artists, rather than business people. So, artist....If you no longer want to be known as a "starving artist" please begin to develop habits that will result in booking more work.
The fact of the matter is that the film industry is just like any other business when it comes to producing content. We NEED customers. We must SEEK our target audience. People must KNOW what we do. This is a numbers game. The more people that you DIRECTLY ask for business, the more gigs you will book.
This model is based on shooting HD video content and photography for: small businesses, music artists, bands, events, short films, YouTube content, documentaries, and feature length films.
As a filmmaker, when people ask me ,"What do you do?" My response is,"I'm a producer." That's when I notice a blank stare. After seeing this same result several times I knew that I had to communicate more effectively. The general public does not know that a producer is responsible for: actors, locations, contracts, craft services, equipment, crew, post production, and everything else it takes to PRODUCE one project. When I explained this information to my potential clients, they took my offer a lot more seriously.
A few of the steps that have increased my chances of booking more work have been:
1. Set solid goals that I want to hit. Sales, income, follow-ups, social media posts, training.
2. Gather a minimum of 3 business cards daily (Follow up with email less than 72 hours)
3. Teach business model to all potential partners/crew so they can book work for us too
4. Write treatments and pitch to businesses about creating a commercial for them
5. Advertise on my personal social media TELLING people what I do
6. Talk to 10 people that I do NOT know daily (Build Relationships)
7. Research, Research, Research. (Potential clients have a NEED; find it)
8. Follow-up with past customers and gage satisfaction
9. Set a minimum of 5 appointments per week to discuss HD content creation
10. Designate a time for follow-ups, marketing emails, and face to face appointments
11. Search the websites on flyers and promotional items from various places in town
12. Update all of contact information on various websites and social media
13. Have a price list, scope of work, and completion times readily available for clients
14. I volunteer on many sets just to meet more people and book future gigs
15. Offer much more than just HD content creation; help with social media too
16. Ask effective, fact finding, open-ended questions to figure out if a person needs my service
In my opinion it is every crew member's responsibility to help book work. A producer and a director will have an extremely hard time trying to do this on their own. It is much more effective when an entire group of people are working closely to book gigs.
Producer, Director, 1st AD, UPM, Gaffer, Grip, Editor, Art Director, VFX artist, Production Designer, can all help with the mission of booking gigs. If your team knows that the producer can make it happen once the job is booked, you will be much more successful.
You MUST talk to a lot of people. They MUST know what you do. You MUST effectively communicate your objective. Follow-ups are a MUST. Professionalism and proper presentation is a MUST.
Our work can be seen at www.signaturexavier.com
DISCLAIMER: There are many ways of doing many things. Below you will read about one way of making money as an independent filmmaker. There may be more effective ways that you like better. Please take the time to research what works best for you. READING is a MUST. If you need help with anything below, you can contact me at georgeohan@gmail.com
@georgeohan on Instagram
-------------------------------------
Independent filmmakers usually have a hard time making money.... Why? Well, I think it is because most of them are actually artists, rather than business people. So, artist....If you no longer want to be known as a "starving artist" please begin to develop habits that will result in booking more work.
The fact of the matter is that the film industry is just like any other business when it comes to producing content. We NEED customers. We must SEEK our target audience. People must KNOW what we do. This is a numbers game. The more people that you DIRECTLY ask for business, the more gigs you will book.
This model is based on shooting HD video content and photography for: small businesses, music artists, bands, events, short films, YouTube content, documentaries, and feature length films.
As a filmmaker, when people ask me ,"What do you do?" My response is,"I'm a producer." That's when I notice a blank stare. After seeing this same result several times I knew that I had to communicate more effectively. The general public does not know that a producer is responsible for: actors, locations, contracts, craft services, equipment, crew, post production, and everything else it takes to PRODUCE one project. When I explained this information to my potential clients, they took my offer a lot more seriously.
A few of the steps that have increased my chances of booking more work have been:
1. Set solid goals that I want to hit. Sales, income, follow-ups, social media posts, training.
2. Gather a minimum of 3 business cards daily (Follow up with email less than 72 hours)
3. Teach business model to all potential partners/crew so they can book work for us too
4. Write treatments and pitch to businesses about creating a commercial for them
5. Advertise on my personal social media TELLING people what I do
6. Talk to 10 people that I do NOT know daily (Build Relationships)
7. Research, Research, Research. (Potential clients have a NEED; find it)
8. Follow-up with past customers and gage satisfaction
9. Set a minimum of 5 appointments per week to discuss HD content creation
10. Designate a time for follow-ups, marketing emails, and face to face appointments
11. Search the websites on flyers and promotional items from various places in town
12. Update all of contact information on various websites and social media
13. Have a price list, scope of work, and completion times readily available for clients
14. I volunteer on many sets just to meet more people and book future gigs
15. Offer much more than just HD content creation; help with social media too
16. Ask effective, fact finding, open-ended questions to figure out if a person needs my service
In my opinion it is every crew member's responsibility to help book work. A producer and a director will have an extremely hard time trying to do this on their own. It is much more effective when an entire group of people are working closely to book gigs.
Producer, Director, 1st AD, UPM, Gaffer, Grip, Editor, Art Director, VFX artist, Production Designer, can all help with the mission of booking gigs. If your team knows that the producer can make it happen once the job is booked, you will be much more successful.
You MUST talk to a lot of people. They MUST know what you do. You MUST effectively communicate your objective. Follow-ups are a MUST. Professionalism and proper presentation is a MUST.
Our work can be seen at www.signaturexavier.com
DISCLAIMER: There are many ways of doing many things. Below you will read about one way of making money as an independent filmmaker. There may be more effective ways that you like better. Please take the time to research what works best for you. READING is a MUST. If you need help with anything below, you can contact me at georgeohan@gmail.com
@georgeohan on Instagram
signature xavier, george ohan, ohan, gigs, book, indie , film, HD, content, social media, work, make money, independent, movies, hollywood, ca, Armenian
Thursday, November 21, 2013
How to make it in the music industry
DISCLAIMER: I have NOT made it in the music industry, but I've never tried either. I am giving general business advice that I hope can help you succeed in your journey to stardom. If you don't like to read, good luck on being successful.
I usually blog when I am inspired by an event in my life. Today I came across a "rapper" in Los Angeles and I really hope he finds this blog. The moment he found out that I'm a film producer he said, "Yo dawg, wassup wit a free video tho?" (SILENCE FOLLOWS)
I smiled and told him that he should consider learning the business of music first. His response, "See! Ya'll Mafuggas all the same!" (SILENCE FOLLOWS)
This time I smiled, thanked him for his time, and then I walked away.
Most of the people that I personally know that are into music have not even done a few critical steps to ensure their success. Knowing how to make music is something that an eight year old can do these days. There is much more to the business of music than just making the music. If I were a band member, a rapper, a musician, etc., and I came across this little list that you see below I would use it as a check-list to see if I was on the right track. We all have room for improvement; some of us have much more room than others.
1. Do you have a music teacher, coach, or mentor? Or, are you just that good that you don't need one? (Beyonce takes voice lessons...FYI)
a. Take the critiques of people that know what they're talking about very seriously and try to make the adjustments that they suggest. Who cares how you FEEL, just do it. You might actually learn a lot about yourself and your technique.
2. Do people in your local area LOVE your music? Are you selling out local venues? Are people buying your merchandise? How many shows per month do you book?
a. A record label will not take a chance to DEVELOP, PROMOTE, and MARKET someone if they don't see that music lovers are not already supporting them. You wanna be indie? Ok, cool. See step #3.
3. Do you know what these terms actually mean when it comes to the music industry: Marketing, Development, Promotions, Distribution, Publishing, Licensing, and Copyright Protection? (Look them up and do some research on how the big companies or successful indie artists do it.)
a. Do you own BOOKS that cover those subjects? Do you read about those subjects daily? Are you obsessed with learning about the music business?
4. Have you ever talked to an entertainment law attorney? Do have an entertainment law attorney? Do you know any music managers that are currently working in the industry? If so, what degree of success have they achieved?
a. You are not a lawyer (most likely). You do not think the way an entertainment law attorney would think (most likely). You are not a music manger (most likely). You do not think like a music manger (most likely). Get help from those people.
5. Do you have phenomenal talent? Are your fans left in awe every time you perform? If the CEO of Capital Records heard you right now, would that person be impressed?
a. You can't be good. You can't be great. You MUST be PHENOMENAL! Your music must be remarkable; REMARK-ABLE. Do people remark about your music positively? Don't give people a reason to deny you. There are a lot of people on "American Idol" that have been lied to by their family and friends.
6. Do you have an EPK? Does your EPK sound and look like the professionals? Do you know what a good EPK looks like? (Look it up) Does your social media look like some of your favorite artist's sites? Are your social media marketing sites updated regularly, and with the correct information? Is the content interesting and professional?
a. Don't use your professional artist site as a personal space. Run your social media like a business would run their sites. You are here to make money; are your posts generating income? If not; why not? Do you have a marketing and branding campaign that you stick with?
7. Are you highly motivated, dedicated, and willing to work harder than the next person?
a. There is no cavalry coming to save you! Do you wake up before your competition? Do you sleep after your competition? Do you work harder than your competition? I'm not trying to say burn yourself out. I'm only making the point that you really have to WANT this. Are you using your time effectively? Be the honest broker and ask yourself at the end of each day, "If I was the CEO of my company, based on my performance today, would I hire myself again tomorrow?"
8. Do you follow-up after meeting new people? Are you networking with the proper people? Are you networking correctly?
DISCLAIMER: I have NOT made it in the music industry, but I've never tried either. I am giving general business advice that I hope can help you succeed in your journey to stardom.
Very Respectfully,
George Ohan
@georgeohan on Instagram
I usually blog when I am inspired by an event in my life. Today I came across a "rapper" in Los Angeles and I really hope he finds this blog. The moment he found out that I'm a film producer he said, "Yo dawg, wassup wit a free video tho?" (SILENCE FOLLOWS)
I smiled and told him that he should consider learning the business of music first. His response, "See! Ya'll Mafuggas all the same!" (SILENCE FOLLOWS)
This time I smiled, thanked him for his time, and then I walked away.
Most of the people that I personally know that are into music have not even done a few critical steps to ensure their success. Knowing how to make music is something that an eight year old can do these days. There is much more to the business of music than just making the music. If I were a band member, a rapper, a musician, etc., and I came across this little list that you see below I would use it as a check-list to see if I was on the right track. We all have room for improvement; some of us have much more room than others.
1. Do you have a music teacher, coach, or mentor? Or, are you just that good that you don't need one? (Beyonce takes voice lessons...FYI)
a. Take the critiques of people that know what they're talking about very seriously and try to make the adjustments that they suggest. Who cares how you FEEL, just do it. You might actually learn a lot about yourself and your technique.
2. Do people in your local area LOVE your music? Are you selling out local venues? Are people buying your merchandise? How many shows per month do you book?
a. A record label will not take a chance to DEVELOP, PROMOTE, and MARKET someone if they don't see that music lovers are not already supporting them. You wanna be indie? Ok, cool. See step #3.
3. Do you know what these terms actually mean when it comes to the music industry: Marketing, Development, Promotions, Distribution, Publishing, Licensing, and Copyright Protection? (Look them up and do some research on how the big companies or successful indie artists do it.)
a. Do you own BOOKS that cover those subjects? Do you read about those subjects daily? Are you obsessed with learning about the music business?
4. Have you ever talked to an entertainment law attorney? Do have an entertainment law attorney? Do you know any music managers that are currently working in the industry? If so, what degree of success have they achieved?
a. You are not a lawyer (most likely). You do not think the way an entertainment law attorney would think (most likely). You are not a music manger (most likely). You do not think like a music manger (most likely). Get help from those people.
5. Do you have phenomenal talent? Are your fans left in awe every time you perform? If the CEO of Capital Records heard you right now, would that person be impressed?
a. You can't be good. You can't be great. You MUST be PHENOMENAL! Your music must be remarkable; REMARK-ABLE. Do people remark about your music positively? Don't give people a reason to deny you. There are a lot of people on "American Idol" that have been lied to by their family and friends.
6. Do you have an EPK? Does your EPK sound and look like the professionals? Do you know what a good EPK looks like? (Look it up) Does your social media look like some of your favorite artist's sites? Are your social media marketing sites updated regularly, and with the correct information? Is the content interesting and professional?
a. Don't use your professional artist site as a personal space. Run your social media like a business would run their sites. You are here to make money; are your posts generating income? If not; why not? Do you have a marketing and branding campaign that you stick with?
7. Are you highly motivated, dedicated, and willing to work harder than the next person?
a. There is no cavalry coming to save you! Do you wake up before your competition? Do you sleep after your competition? Do you work harder than your competition? I'm not trying to say burn yourself out. I'm only making the point that you really have to WANT this. Are you using your time effectively? Be the honest broker and ask yourself at the end of each day, "If I was the CEO of my company, based on my performance today, would I hire myself again tomorrow?"
8. Do you follow-up after meeting new people? Are you networking with the proper people? Are you networking correctly?
DISCLAIMER: I have NOT made it in the music industry, but I've never tried either. I am giving general business advice that I hope can help you succeed in your journey to stardom.
Very Respectfully,
George Ohan
@georgeohan on Instagram
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
How do I start a new business - Entrepreneur
WARNING: This Blog will be informational and a little bit entertaining.
So, let's go over the checklist:
1. Business Name
2. Awesome logo design
3. Business Card
4. Facebook "Like" page or Twitter account
Ok, you're DONE! You, my friend, are an ENTREPRENEUR!!!!
NOT!!!!!!!!!
Why on Earth do people think by simply completing the four steps above that makes them a business owner / entrepreneur? I really do not understand this madness.
Owning a business or becoming an entrepreneur is: a huge responsibility, a lot of research, hard work, persistence, creativity, positivity, leadership, initiative, and innovation. If this does not describe you, please reconsider going into business. This blog is not about discouraging anyone from pursuing their dreams of entrepreneurship. This blog should be a wake-up call to those that have never considered some of the things I'll mention below.
Let's talk about a little word called PASSION...
The reason I am writing this blog is because I had a meeting with a person (an idiot) today that had a decent idea, but he did not have any plan or research of how he would introduce his company to the market. However, he DID have steps 1-4 at the top of this blog covered completely. As I tried to give him any sort of business advice this man rejected 90% of anything that I told him with an excuse of why he didn't do that, or why my idea wouldn't work. It's ok, it was my fault for taking the meeting. I knew better than to waste my time just by reading his unprofessional email with grammatical errors. I took the meeting because I appreciated the fact that the guy had enough sense to seek me out, he had a cool idea, and seemed PASSIONATE. Big mistake! Today I learned to not care about how passionate the person is if they don't have the hard work and understanding of their business to back up their passion.
.
So, let's go over the checklist:
1. Business Name
2. Awesome logo design
3. Business Card
4. Facebook "Like" page or Twitter account
Ok, you're DONE! You, my friend, are an ENTREPRENEUR!!!!
NOT!!!!!!!!!
Why on Earth do people think by simply completing the four steps above that makes them a business owner / entrepreneur? I really do not understand this madness.
Owning a business or becoming an entrepreneur is: a huge responsibility, a lot of research, hard work, persistence, creativity, positivity, leadership, initiative, and innovation. If this does not describe you, please reconsider going into business. This blog is not about discouraging anyone from pursuing their dreams of entrepreneurship. This blog should be a wake-up call to those that have never considered some of the things I'll mention below.
Let's talk about a little word called PASSION...
The reason I am writing this blog is because I had a meeting with a person (an idiot) today that had a decent idea, but he did not have any plan or research of how he would introduce his company to the market. However, he DID have steps 1-4 at the top of this blog covered completely. As I tried to give him any sort of business advice this man rejected 90% of anything that I told him with an excuse of why he didn't do that, or why my idea wouldn't work. It's ok, it was my fault for taking the meeting. I knew better than to waste my time just by reading his unprofessional email with grammatical errors. I took the meeting because I appreciated the fact that the guy had enough sense to seek me out, he had a cool idea, and seemed PASSIONATE. Big mistake! Today I learned to not care about how passionate the person is if they don't have the hard work and understanding of their business to back up their passion.
I don't care if you're passionate about something, venture capitalist don't care that your passionate about something, and your invisible customers darn sure don't care if you're passionate about something IF
you have not done the proper work to turn that passion into a feasible and attainable objective.
"The world is not short of ideas, the world is short of execution." - Professor George Abe, UCLA Anderson School of Management
There are MANY steps to cover before going into business; listed below are a few things to consider and a good starting list to gather your information.
(Think Strategically) *NOTE* Strategy should be innovative, not imitative, to create a sustainable competitive advantage. You should write or type out your answers; don't just answer it in your head. If you don't know what something means, look it up.
1. What is the opportunity for this business?
2. Can I create a business concept to exploit that opportunity?
3. What resources do I need to exploit and take advantage of the opportunity?
4. How do I assemble and manage the operation?
5. How do I exit the operation?
6. Do we have a Mission Statement?
7. Why do we exist?
8. What is the pain that our customer has?
9. What are we trying to accomplish?
10. What is the purpose of this company?
11. What is the fatal flaw that can take you out instantly?
12. Why would anyone partner with me?
13. What business are you in, really?
14. What are we really good at?
15. What does the market place look like?
16. Who are our customers?
17. What important benefits do we provide to our customers?
18. Are these benefits sustainable?
19. Where can this business be in 3-5 years?
20. Do I know how to read a lease properly?
21. What are the proper business licensees and permits required?
22. What are my threats, opportunities, weakness, and strengths?
23. What is the law of diffusion and innovation?
24. How can I define market segmentation?
25. What is my niche?
26. Have I completed a marketing mix?
This list can go on and on...... However, I will choose to stop here. I hope that this will enlighten and encourage some people to really step their knowledge up. This takes some time, intense focus, and a lot of dedication. Don't give up! Just know that every time you answer one of these questions you're giving yourself more of a chance to survive in the world of business. If you're not willing to do it, it's ok because your competition is.
Entrepreneurship is a team sport. Surround yourself with people that are much smarter than you are.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to educate yourself by reading this blog. Please feel free to share this blog with anyone that you think can use the information too
Very Respectfully,
George Ohan
www.signaturexavier.com
@georgeohan - Instagram
@LAfilmOhan - Twitter
www.youtube.com/ohangeorge
UCLA, Anderson School of Management, Entrepreneurship (2012)
The Los Angeles Film School, Entertainment Business (2013)
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Why do I need a blog?
The purpose of my blog is to document how I'm feeling, thinking, and blog whatever I'm willing to express at this point of my life. If someone else comes across the words, videos, or art that I post it should have some thought provoking affect on them. As for me, if I've posted anything to my blog it's only because I've had a thought provoking situation in my life. This is a free space to read or write anything that I feel like is appropriate at the time that I blog about it. Anyone that reads my blog is free to express their opinions without a fear of backlash or offending me. I encourage an educated exchange of thoughts and ideas at any time.
Blogs are valuable because it let's individuals get into a very personal space of other people. If a person is trying to engage a specific audience they can see what that group of people are blogging about so they will know what is important to them. Small businesses and large companies alike can use this information to target products and services toward the right clients. Many companies make marketing mistakes that result in wasting a lot of money because they don't spend enough time understanding who their target audience is. If those same companies had a social media specialist that understood blogs they can reverse that trend and hit the demographic that they are seeking.
Thank you for taking a moment to read my blog today. Make each day a masterpiece.
Very Respectfully,
George Ohan
Blogs are valuable because it let's individuals get into a very personal space of other people. If a person is trying to engage a specific audience they can see what that group of people are blogging about so they will know what is important to them. Small businesses and large companies alike can use this information to target products and services toward the right clients. Many companies make marketing mistakes that result in wasting a lot of money because they don't spend enough time understanding who their target audience is. If those same companies had a social media specialist that understood blogs they can reverse that trend and hit the demographic that they are seeking.
Thank you for taking a moment to read my blog today. Make each day a masterpiece.
Very Respectfully,
George Ohan
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Armenian business networking group - Los Angeles - ARMNET
ArmNetLA@gmail.com
Armenian Network of America-Los Angeles Region
Speaker: George Ohan
george@signaturexavier.com
Since 1984, The Armenian Network of America, Inc. ® has been a professionally-based community organization that has provided Armenian American professionals the opportunity to interact. With chapters operating in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC., each chapter operates independently, catering to the dynamics of the designated geographic area.
Our Vision
Providing a forum for the advancement of Armenian Americans, integrating professional, cultural and social elements.
Promoting the interests of the Armenian American community through a forum which is ecumenical, non-partisan, global and broad-minded in practice and in opinions.
Addressing issues facing Armenians worldwide.
www.armnet.org
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Abolish Human Sex Trafficking event in Glendale, CA
I produced this video on the subject of Abolishing human sex trafficking worldwide. Take a look and share if you'd like.
Producer - George Ohan - georgeohan@gmail.com
@georgeohan on Instagram
Executive Producer - Poca - @ItsPoca on Instagram
Host - Adriana Michelle Davalos - @miss_LosAngeles on Instagram
Speaker #1 - Marc Palmer
Speaker #2 - Aaron Cohen
Song - "Compliments" - Poca
----------
Location - ICIS Living - Glendale, CA
www.icisliving.com
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Music - Poca - http://poca.bandcamp.com/
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www.AbolishSlavery.org
The Abolish Slavery Coalition prevents the spread of modern-day slavery by helping establish and mentor human trafficking task forces both domestically and internationally in order to find and protect those who have fallen into slavery and to promote the infrastructure needed to rescue victims and assist them on the road to recovery.
Today more than ever, victims of human trafficking are being prostituted, enslaved, abused, tortured and murdered by predators who often exploit victims' vulnerabilities, but with your help, we can free the captives!
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www.FashionHope.org
We welcome industry partners in traditional and new media, as well as boutiques, designers, photographers, stylists, and other fashion industry professionals. Fashion Hope also works with individual ambassadors - everyday people with a passion for the cause, who help spread the word. Together, our impact is significant.
For more information on partnering with Fashion Hope, contact us at info@fashionhope.org
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Video Sponsored by: www.pswdoptimist.org
More than 60 individual Optimist Clubs are included in this service organization of men and women, boys, and girls, dedicated to assisting youth and their families in our communities.
Optimist clubs all over the world strive to "bring out the best in kids." We offer programs for youth that are tailored to the needs of local communities. The organization's motto, Friend of Youth is also its raison d'etre.
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George Ohan - President, Hollywood Optimist Club
www.SignatureXavier.com
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