Self Promotion / Marketing
How To Be A TV Star Newsletter Vol 3: Issue 3 - Get
on A Moving Train!
01/03/07 22:39 |
Permalink
Hello
Welcome to the first February Issue of the 'How To Be A TV
Star' newsletter. Our podcasts have been so successful
thanks to you guys - please keep up the good work in
letting people know about them. The best way to get these
FREE resources out to the masses is to spread the word.
Derrick and I appreciate your loyalty and as a result we
will continue to produce the most up to date, relevant
and exclusive resource material in the world!
Here are the upcoming topics in this newsletter:
* GET ON BOARD THE MOVING TRAIN
* WE WANT YOU!
*****************************
* GET ON BOARD THE MOVING TRAIN
Here is a very interesting quote from leading talent
agent Mark Morrissey:
'Nothing encourages a potential agent or manager
more than to know that an enthused client is well
read, self motivated and accurately aware of what the
industry is doing. Be prepared for hard work. I have
never represented a successful client who wasn't
prepared to work hard. Learn self motivation. Aim to
improve and above all, to retain your sense of humour
- you'll need it!'
Mark Morrissey (Mark Management Management)
A moving train - in the context of the entertainment
business - is someone who is starting to make progress
without the help of an agent or manager. It is an
individual who has begun to research, train and compile
their tools of the trade by using their self-motivation.
It is a TV aspirant who wants to gain experience and add
to their resume.
So how do you do this?
Pretty simple really, because you've already started.
In the first newsletter I talked about having an action
plan - not necessarily a precise game plan (this comes
later) but an idea of what you want and how you're
going to achieve it. In the second newsletter I touched
on watching TV and noting down the trends and observations.
And last month I called upon your data collection tools -
compiling a contact list.
If you bumped into someone like Mark Morrissey next
week - you could confidently assure him that your career
was in progress. You are already researching, making
initial contact with networks, production companies, agents
and casting directors.
You are a moving train as such! He is more likely to
invest time and energy into your endeavors because you
have already taken the initiative to start without help!
Here are some small tips on becoming a serious 'moving
train':
1. Start reading industry magazines and supplements;
2. Visit industry websites and register for any
e-newsletters;
3. Find out if local arts councils have information
nights or networking events that you could attend;
4. Ask the local community radio or TV station if they
have any volunteer work available. These organisations
run on the generous help from local volunteers;
5. Your local drama institutions will usually have
casting notices for short-film volunteers - be it on
screen or behind camera for you to audition for. Be a
part of a small production - it is fun, free and a vital
learning experience;
These ventures will all play a part in your growing
skillset and industry 'hours'. You are starting to live
the life of an industry professional. You are a moving
train.
*****************************
WE WANT YOU!
The success of these resources relies on your input.
Derrick and I want you to contribute to the effectiveness
of these resources. We want you to tell us the questions
you want answered. Simply email us here
*****************************
See you in a fortnight!
NICK PIPER
Nick Piper (Author / Presenter)
How To Be A TV Star Resources
Email: nick@HowToBeATVStar.com
Website: www.HowToBeATVStar.com
Welcome to the first February Issue of the 'How To Be A TV
Star' newsletter. Our podcasts have been so successful
thanks to you guys - please keep up the good work in
letting people know about them. The best way to get these
FREE resources out to the masses is to spread the word.
Derrick and I appreciate your loyalty and as a result we
will continue to produce the most up to date, relevant
and exclusive resource material in the world!
Here are the upcoming topics in this newsletter:
* GET ON BOARD THE MOVING TRAIN
* WE WANT YOU!
*****************************
* GET ON BOARD THE MOVING TRAIN
Here is a very interesting quote from leading talent
agent Mark Morrissey:
'Nothing encourages a potential agent or manager
more than to know that an enthused client is well
read, self motivated and accurately aware of what the
industry is doing. Be prepared for hard work. I have
never represented a successful client who wasn't
prepared to work hard. Learn self motivation. Aim to
improve and above all, to retain your sense of humour
- you'll need it!'
Mark Morrissey (Mark Management Management)
A moving train - in the context of the entertainment
business - is someone who is starting to make progress
without the help of an agent or manager. It is an
individual who has begun to research, train and compile
their tools of the trade by using their self-motivation.
It is a TV aspirant who wants to gain experience and add
to their resume.
So how do you do this?
Pretty simple really, because you've already started.
In the first newsletter I talked about having an action
plan - not necessarily a precise game plan (this comes
later) but an idea of what you want and how you're
going to achieve it. In the second newsletter I touched
on watching TV and noting down the trends and observations.
And last month I called upon your data collection tools -
compiling a contact list.
If you bumped into someone like Mark Morrissey next
week - you could confidently assure him that your career
was in progress. You are already researching, making
initial contact with networks, production companies, agents
and casting directors.
You are a moving train as such! He is more likely to
invest time and energy into your endeavors because you
have already taken the initiative to start without help!
Here are some small tips on becoming a serious 'moving
train':
1. Start reading industry magazines and supplements;
2. Visit industry websites and register for any
e-newsletters;
3. Find out if local arts councils have information
nights or networking events that you could attend;
4. Ask the local community radio or TV station if they
have any volunteer work available. These organisations
run on the generous help from local volunteers;
5. Your local drama institutions will usually have
casting notices for short-film volunteers - be it on
screen or behind camera for you to audition for. Be a
part of a small production - it is fun, free and a vital
learning experience;
These ventures will all play a part in your growing
skillset and industry 'hours'. You are starting to live
the life of an industry professional. You are a moving
train.
*****************************
WE WANT YOU!
The success of these resources relies on your input.
Derrick and I want you to contribute to the effectiveness
of these resources. We want you to tell us the questions
you want answered. Simply email us here
*****************************
See you in a fortnight!
NICK PIPER
Nick Piper (Author / Presenter)
How To Be A TV Star Resources
Email: nick@HowToBeATVStar.com
Website: www.HowToBeATVStar.com
How To Be A TV Star Newsletter Vol 3 : Issue 2 -
Compile A Contact List!
15/01/07 22:35 |
Permalink
Welcome to the mid January Issue of the How To Be A TV
Star newsletter. Back at work or school yet? It can be a
shock to the system, but here at Plop Entertainment we
like to keep you enthused and motivated with a few special
pieces of advice. Read on!
Here are the upcoming topics in this newsletter:
* HOW TO COMPILE A CONTACT LIST
* PODCAST 2 AVAILABLE NOW!
* PERSONAL UPDATE
* SUMMER VIEWING
*****************************
HOW TO COMPILE A CONTACT LIST
Your contact list is your vital connection to the TV industry.
It will consist of anyone who can play a part in your future
employment. It will take you several months to compile so you
need to start NOW.
Who should be on your contact list?
You can start your collation of contacts by simply watching TV.
See last fortnight's newsletter for information on that task.
Make sure you record the end credits of your relevant TV shows
and note down the Network, Production Company and usually the
Executive Producer. From there, you can make a few phone calls
or - better still - a Google search.
How do I get in contact?
Essentially you shouldn't get in contact just yet. You are
only compiling a list that will act as your database when
you eventually get around to producing a showreel and need
to know where to send it. Simply make a few phone calls of
enquiry. Ask who is in charge of employing talent and what
the best way of communicating with that person would be. In
most cases you will end up speaking to a PA or receptionist.
Treat them with respect as they can ultimately determine
whether you get your information through or not.
Email or phone call?
Phone calls are best initially. Again, I repeat, you
are only performing the task of data collection - you are
not selling yourself just yet.
Who are the important people?
At this stage, you would want the contact details of
agents (to secure representation), casting agents (who will
want to meet face-to-face at some stage), network producers
and programmers (who are ultimately charged with the
responsibility of employing talent).
Keep your contact details in a spreadsheet or journal
and aim to make contact every week with someone new.
Stay tuned for advice in the next few months about what to
do with those contact details.
*****************************
PODCAST 2 AVAILABLE NOW
if you haven't had a chance to listen to our second podcast
on How to Watch TV for your TV Career,
click the link below to check it out:
/podcast
******************************
PERSONAL UPDATE
NICK ON HOLIDAY
The wife and I decided to go to Newcastle for a quick break
away from the big city. We figured it would be the last time
we holidayed alone for the next 18 years - with baby due soon!
Check out a few photos on my website:
www.nickpiper.info
*****************************
SUMMER VIEWING
Networks often make the mistake of thinking that viewers switch
off during the Xmas period. Big mistake! As an aspiring presenter
you need to monitor what's on over the summer. Why?
Well, often the shows that rated badly are screened. This is an
opportunity for you to see what went wrong. Most of the stuff is
rubbish but when there is nothing else to view on Xmas Day we
need to sit up and take notice.
Watching the mistakes of others may reveal some hurdles that you
can avoid. An example would be a recent game show here in Australia
called The Master. It was yanked very quickly from the TV schedule
when it failed to rate, but is currently being re-run. Watching
it is testament to how lazy a production can get: the props are
misplaced, the set is garishly lit, the presenter is a little lost.
All good lessons for you!
See you in a fortnight!
NICK PIPER
Nick Piper (Author / Presenter)
How To Be A TV Star Resources
Email: nick@HowToBeATVStar.com
Website: www.HowToBeATVStar.com