Re: chapters and brief descriptions. let me know what you think

On Nov 4, 2009, at 10:50 AM, Barrett Brown wrote:

Sorry for the delay; I've just been asked to serve as head writer on a pilot, so been a crazy week. Will finish these up for you now.

On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 11:47 PM, patrick stack <pjs@outofpocketfilms.com> wrote:

yes those are chapters too.

looks great so far!

On Oct 30, 2009, at 12:50 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:

Just noticed that there are a few more here (sales 101, etc.). Are these also chapter descriptions, or should they be handled differently? Let me know and I'll do these for you this evening.

On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 3:37 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi, Pat-

Here are the chapter description re-writes.

I Hate Gatekeepers

The people who stand between you and success - the administrative assistants, the readers, the all-around middlemen - are a fact of life that simply cannot be ignored. This is not to say that they must always be won over. Still, it's crucial to determine ahead of time who among them can be bypassed, who must be appeased, and who really holds the keys to the kingdom. Titles never tell the whole story.

Walking Through the Door

Even industry veterans sometimes forget that when you come through the door, it's your job to lose. Successful actors approach each audition while keeping in mind that the hirer is seeking someone to fill a particular need and wants you to be that person - which is to say that every hirer is hoping for you to succeed. Taking full advantage of this seemingly axiomatic dynamic is crucial. Just as important is knowing that the job interview starts before you walk through that doorway - in the hallway or the waiting room.

Have I Done My Homework?

When you go in for an interview, you're there to fill someone else's need, not your own. Getting hired for the gig is simply a byproduct of that process. This is almost an axiom, but like most axioms, it's frequently disregarded by virtue of its alleged obviousness. For the half-hour or so that you're in that room, your needs take a backseat to those of the hirer. Successful preparation is always undertaken with that fact in mind.

Finding Me in the Yellow Pages

Self-promotion is a virtue, and anyone who says otherwise is simply trying to promote his own virtues by implication. Of course, if you can get away with doing that, then you're already on the right track. The key to successful self-promotion is to make one's self available without being obnoxious about it; self-deprecation is a nifty trick by which to do just that. Aside from walking the fine line between being noticed and being irritating, the mechanics of public relations come into play here; by establishing a specific strategy and sticking to it, I managed to pick up 90% of my acting gigs on my own.

A Career or a Job?

A job is something you'd prefer not to be remembered by; a career is exactly the opposite. A job is just a blip on the employment timeline; a career is built and nurtured over time. This principle goes beyond the age-old dynamic of working as a waiter and living to be an actor, extending into acting as a whole. When you meet a person of relative influence, take pains to convey that you're looking to build a long-term relationship as opposed to just picking up a one-shot paycheck.

Who Are the Real Decision Makers?

In the acting world, casting directors are the most powerful of all the gatekeepers. They also tend to hold themselves in the highest regard - this, in a town where self-regard is hardly in short supply. Examine any studio closely, though, and you'll most likely find that someone else is in control of the project, and perhaps even the casting itself. Knowing the score on this front takes finesse, but it pays off in the end.

When to Cut Bait

Everyone has a dream. If yours involves working as a full-time writer, actor, cinematographer or whatever, congratulations - to have an aspiration is the only way to achieve it. To the extent that one's dreams require the cooperation of others, though, reality comes into play. Waiting for that phone to ring may not be the smartest way to spend your time, and taking a day job in the meanwhile need not necessarily translate into ultimate defeat.

Why Acting?

Your motivations need not be pure, but they should at least be realistic. If you're looking to get rich, rob a bank. If it's fame that you're after, get caught. If you feel the need to be loved, give the money back. But if the joy of performing or seeing your work on the printed page is enough to make you happy, then you're off to a good start.

On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 8:08 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi, Pat-

Almost finished revising these; will have them to you in the morning.

Thanks,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM, patrick stack <pjs@outofpocketfilms.com> wrote:

SALES BOOK:

-I HATE GATEKEEPERS
Its a fact of life that there are people..many peoplewho stand between you and success. However much you wish you can ignore them, they must not be dismissed. Thats not to say that they must always won over before moving from A to B and beyond.
-WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR
So few people realize that when you come through the door, it is your job to loose. The object of any hiring interview is to find the right person to fill a need and every hirer wants you to be the hiree. Also, the job interview starts in the hallway or waiting roomnot after you walk through the door.
-HAVE I DONE MY HOMEWORK
You are there to fill someone's need, not your own. You getting the job is a by product of the process. Better make sure you know what they are looking for
-FINDING ME IN THE YELLOW PAGES
Self promotion is key and how you do that..with out being obnoxiousis the key to great networking. I got 90% of my acting work myself.
-CAREER VS A JOB
A job is just that..a short blip on the employment timeline. A career is something that is built and nurtured. That means that when meeting an influential person, make sure the impression you make is positive enough so that a relationship can be builtnot an impression that all you want is to work on this project and your world will be right!
-WHO ARE THE REAL DECISION MAKERS
In the world of acting, Casting Directors ( the biggest gate keepers) hold themselves in the highest regard. They have way too much power. Knowing who is really in control of the project
-WHEN TO CUT BAIT
Everyone has a dream and if your dream is to act or be a paid writer, , fantastic. But it is a business and all of your wishing and hoping may not be enough to put you over the top for the long haul. If a circus life seems attractive, go for it. But hoping for that phone to ring may not be the smartest way to spend a life
-WHY ACTING
Really look at what the motivation is for being in this business. If its to make money, there are easier ways. If its to be famous, go rob a bank. If its to fill the need to be loved, get a pet. If its for the joy of performing or seeing your work on a page, then thats a good start.
-THE FOLLOW UP
This is really sales 101. The art of following up on a meeting without being obtrusive, annoying, or bothersome is key to maintaining and building a relationship with the people that determine your employment
-REALLY UNDERSTANDING HOW A MOVIE OR TV SHOW IS MADE
The nuts and bolts of tav, film, and theater production. Knowing how it all comes together and the very small part you play in the over all production process gives you the understanding of the needs of the people at the top and gives a better perspective of how best to prepare and how best to market ones self
-WHO IS YOUR RABBI
Everyone needs a mentor and a sounding board. Make sure its someone who has your back and is not secretly hoping you fail because you are up for a job they want

-SALES 101, 102, 103
This section will really break down selling technique and show that sales is sales. Makes no difference if you are selling art or selling ash trays. You are filling a need, but sometimes, you can sell something they dont need
-MY TERRITORY
This is a reference to the sales territory a sales person has to sell their product. Know the world you are selling to and everyone in it who can impact your business. Its not just knowing the casting directors but everyone who touches the production processthats everyone!
-MY COMPETITION
You can only control what you do. Others will get jobs for no apparent reasons. There will always be other opportunities. But you can control your relationships better than anyone else
-SHINNING EXAMPLES
-an overview of success stories
-DO IT ALL VS HITTING THE SAME SPOT ON THE BRICK WALL
can you really be all things to all people? In the elusive search for success, we often think we can. Not necessarily the best way to proceed. Finding that one thing you are best at and then concentrating on selling that is key