Summary
Learn directly from Jessica Sitomer, who has had her writing produced by an Emmy Award Winner, produced TV herself and has coached thousands of professionals who work in the entertainment industry.
So you have chosen to pursue one of the most sought out industries on the planet: film, television or theater. People come and go, jobs come and go; this is not like becoming a teacher and once you have tenure, you’ve almost guaranteed your job security. This is an unstable industry.
You’ve heard of the corporate ladder? The bad news is in our industry there isn’t one clear ladder to climb. The good news is you can build your own ladder. But before you build it, give yourself a reality check in regards to the nature of the industry you are pursuing. Understand its cycles so they don’t scare you and you’re prepared for them when they come.
Take a moment to remember why you’re passionate about what you do… you’ve been given a gift, and you need emotional, financial, and physical stability so you can share it with the world. People have asked me, ‘Can I really have a career in the entertainment industry that I love, make money at it, and still have time for friends, family, self care, health, spirituality, and fun?’ And my answer… YES! Once you understand the nature of the industry and take some steps to plan for the instability, you can build your life any way you want.
PRAISE FOR JESSICA'S TEACHINGS:
The best seminar on career I’ve ever attended. Jessica has the credibility of background and experience in the entertainment industry that few others possess.
- Stephen Myers, A.C.E.
I didn’t expect to get my career, indeed my life, kick started. I am officially kicked and started!
- Susan Nicoletti, Story Analyst
I am very grateful for all of your suggestions. I did nearly everything you said and about one year later, I am working 2nd unit on a Jim Carrey film. You have practical and useful advice and really have an insightful understanding of this business. Thank you very much for everything, you have helped me a great deal in getting my career going.
- Beth, Still Photographer
Jessica is top-notch business coach. Her approach is simple, common sense and downright effective. It works! People won't hire you until they 'know you, like you and trust you'. I learned this from her right out of the gates! Building relationships through seeking mentors is one of the quickest ways to obtain that trust. Jessica is the best in the business to teach you this skill. I am very grateful for her work!
– Paul Lange, Actor
The philosophies, business tools, information, and advice Jessica imparts will inspire you and open up your thinking. She combines the creative with the practical. Among other things, she translates proven, successful tactics from the business world and applies them to the entertainment industry, which is invaluable. I work with Jessica as a career coach and have been excited, motivated and empowered by the work that we do.
- Juliet Landau, actress Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, director of Take Flight, Gary Oldman Documentary
Because of her experience with so many camera people at Local 600 and her own work as an actress, writer, director, and producer Jessica always had pertinent information about upcoming projects. She also helped me figure out how to better balance my needs for personal creative projects while working as a camera operator on shows like "Monk" and "Malcolm in the Middle".
- Bonnie Blake, Camera Operator, Vitals, Being Mary Jane
I have been working with Jessica Sitomer as a member of the Greenlight Mentor Elite program for one year. Implementing the tools I've learned from Jessica to successfully build relationships and navigate the business aspects of the industry, in one single year I have exceeded every goal I set at a faster rate than I could have ever imagined.
– Michele K Short, Unit Still Photographer
What You'll Learn
- How to survive financially and emotionally for a long career in the entertainment industry
- An exercise on the nature of the industry, so you can determine how to plan for stability and success no matter where you live
- Complementing your career with the lifestyle you desire
- Eliminating energy drains (you may not even know you have)
- Where to find financial and emotional assistance, should you need it
- Suggestions for supplemental income, should you need it
- The big mistake people make when they feel desperate, that costs them jobs
- How to create your own ladder
- How to get your family and friends “on board” so you have support
- Making money in the industry
- Recorded, 30-minute Q&A session with Jessica!
Who Should Attend
All independent contractors/work for hires in the industry, for example:
- Actors
- Writers
- Directors
- Producers
- Camera Department
- Editing Department
- Costumers
- Production Designers
- Hair & Makeup
- Location Scouts
Executive
Jessica Sitomer has worked in the entertainment industry for twenty years as a writer, an independent producer, a development associate, a director, and an actress. She's produced three television shows, had her writing produced by an Emmy award winning producer, and while working in development she had the pleasure of being a part of Crazy in Alabama, Antonio Banderas' directorial debut (and yes he's as charming in real life as he is on screen).
Simultaneously, for seventeen of those years Jessica's been a career coach for Entertainment Industry Professionals. Within that period, she served for seven years as the in-house career coach for the International Cinematographers Guild. There she coached over 1000 people one-on-one, created over 40 seminar topics, ran over 30 mastermind groups, and developed a successful mentor program.
Jessica consults all classifications in the industry, above and below the line with her proven system she developed and the results speak for themselves; the credits of almost every network TV show or studio movie produced have someone with whom she has worked.
As an international speaker Jessica gives keynotes, college talks, and trainings to entertainment industry organizations. Some of her speaking clients include: AFI, USC Film School, Locals 700, 600, 669, 781, The DGC, AFTRA, Film Training Manitoba, The Actors Network, The Art of Acting Studio, and the SOC (Jessica also hosted their 2013 Lifetime Achievement Awards where she got to improv with Colin Farrell and honor many of the men and women she'd worked with).
Want to find Jessica? She's a regular on BuZZ radio, a teacher for Stage 32, and a contributor to Cynopisis.com Advantage, Actors Ink, and author of two books including And… Action! Powerful, Proven, and Proactive Strategies to Achieve Success in the Entertainment Industry.
Testimonials
The best seminar on career I’ve ever attended. Jessica has the credibility of background and experience in the entertainment industry that few others possess.
- Stephen Myers, A.C.E.
I didn’t expect to get my career, indeed my life, kick started. I am officially kicked and started!
- Susan Nicoletti, Story Analyst
I am very grateful for all of your suggestions. I did nearly everything you said and about one year later, I am working 2nd unit on a Jim Carrey film. You have practical and useful advice and really have an insightful understanding of this business. Thank you very much for everything, you have helped me a great deal in getting my career going.
- Beth, Still Photographer
Jessica is top-notch business coach. Her approach is simple, common sense and downright effective. It works! People won't hire you until they 'know you, like you and trust you'. I learned this from her right out of the gates! Building relationships through seeking mentors is one of the quickest ways to obtain that trust. Jessica is the best in the business to teach you this skill. I am very grateful for her work!
– Paul Lange, Actor
The philosophies, business tools, information, and advice Jessica imparts will inspire you and open up your thinking. She combines the creative with the practical. Among other things, she translates proven, successful tactics from the business world and applies them to the entertainment industry, which is invaluable. I work with Jessica as a career coach and have been excited, motivated and empowered by the work that we do.
- Juliet Landau, actress Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, director of Take Flight, Gary Oldman Documentary
Because of her experience with so many camera people at Local 600 and her own work as an actress, writer, director, and producer Jessica always had pertinent information about upcoming projects. She also helped me figure out how to better balance my needs for personal creative projects while working as a camera operator on shows like "Monk" and "Malcolm in the Middle".
- Bonnie Blake, Camera Operator, Vitals, Being Mary Jane
I have been working with Jessica Sitomer as a member of the Greenlight Mentor Elite program for one year. Implementing the tools I've learned from Jessica to successfully build relationships and navigate the business aspects of the industry, in one single year I have exceeded every goal I set at a faster rate than I could have ever imagined.
– Michele K Short, Unit Still Photographer