Great Networking Tips

        

The entertainment industry is one of the most competitive careers a person can pursue in life.  It takes a certain personality type to deal with people with inflated egos, power hunger production assistants, phony casting agencies, and outright rude directors.  But do not despair there is hope for those who can endure the initial illusion of champagne bottles, lights, and promises of stardom.  In reality landing a job in Hollywood is about having 10% talent and 90% networking ability.  In order to position yourself for the career you desire in the entertainment industry you must make a connection with someone who is already working for the motion picture studio or movie agent you want to work for.  In order to gain contacts in the industry there are a number of techniques you must learn. Here are a few keys to improve your networking. Learn to be a great conversationalist, avoid being apologetic, the art of working a room, and positional nosiness.

Learning to be a great conversationalist can open many doors for the person looking to work in the entertainment industry. Being able to seamlessly blend into the conversations of others without rejection or offense is a great skill.  The person who can grasp this technique will become the center of attention when he or she is speaking. A great conversationalist is viewed as a person who is confident, assertive, and professional. These traits are easily viewed by someone in a position to hire you as a great asset to the company. 

While networking at any entertainment event remember this cardinal rule “never apologize” when engaged in conversations. People who constantly apologize are viewed as weak or easily intimidated. Apologizing displays a person’s inability to handle difficult tasks, unable to meet deadlines, and lack leadership skills when a leader is needed.  Remember that you are socializing for a desired outcome. Perception is everything in Hollywood and the wrong perception could hinder your efforts.

The art of working a room is a great weapon to have in the arsenal of a networker. This one technique alone can gain a person entry into the presence of any CEO in the room. First check your attitude, a person must be able to approach strangers and establish a mutual interest while engaged in conversations. The person who takes on the attitude of “why should I bother to impress other people?” will create a negative energy that others in the room can feel. People will subconsciously avoid you.  Risk rejection by attempting to meet new people. One person may not want to talk with you but may refer you to the person you need to meet.  Keep conversations short without being obvious that you are merely talking to someone to get certain information. Avoid ending conversations abruptly as well. Short conversations allow you to establish more contacts attending the event.

 “Positional nosiness” is defined, as being in the right position to hear information that you were not suppose to be privy to.  Positional nosiness is an act of GOD, it just happens.  A person must be able to seize the moment without appearing as someone who is eavesdropping.  While working on a movie set as an extra, the producer was having a conversation with the casting director about needing a stand-in actor for one of the movie stars on set.  At the time I was in the wardrobe tent and over heard the conversation.  As they were talking I realized that I fit the actors description.  I finished dressing and casually walked out of the tent right past the producer and casting director.  Before I knew it the producer stopped me and asked me to stand- in actor for the movie star.  Positional nosiness is a great way to land a job in Hollywood.  

Networking is a necessary skill to master for anyone looking to gain entry into any industry.  The old cliché “It’s not what you know but who you know” holds true in Hollywood.  Networking is a way to avoid dealing with the gatekeepers of the industry. So remember to practice becoming a master networker and before you know it, you will be working in the industry of your choice.