[NEohioPAL]Article: High Standards by Corey Blake, co-founder LA Film Lab

Sun Jul 18 10:03:22 PDT 2004

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High Standards
=20

This is your life.  This is your career.  No one is going to take charge =
of it like you are.  You've probably learned by now that second guessing =
yourself generally leads to disappointment.  Having high standards can =
be the difference between having a piece of work you are proud of and =
having a piece of work you are embarrassed by.  Learn to trust yourself =
when it comes to your art and hold those around you, including yourself, =
to the highest standards.

=20

For an artist there is nothing worse than spending a tremendous amount =
of time and effort on a piece of work you are not proud of.  =
Discouragement can destroy the momentum you are working so hard to =
build.  To avoid this negative outcome you have to take the bull by the =
horns and make sure that you are doing your part to make everything you =
are involved in terrific and calling out others who fail to come to the =
table with work that improves the whole and challenges the team.

=20

Whether you are an actor with a management team and an agency behind =
you, or a director with a PR firm and production company working with =
you - it is your responsibility to hold others and yourself to standards =
that continually impress those around you and incite your team to =
action.  When the team is motivated by your amazing attitude, the team =
surrounds you with positive synergy that you can then use to build a =
buzz around your work.  It's time to make sure that everything you are =
doing challenges your own learning process and builds upon your =
experience and understanding of your art.  Raise the stakes.  Raise the =
standards.

=20

The primary focus of your high standards should rest on your shoulders =
alone.  You cannot control what others will do, but you can control your =
own work and the time and attention to detail you put into it.  Impress =
your team by continuing to never settle for less than the best in your =
own work and they will see a cause worth fighting for themselves.  Then =
they will bring more to the table and contribute to the growing =
foundation of your career.  Don't be afraid to consult your team when =
they are not living up to their potential, but understand that if you =
are not challenging yourself to do the same, you have no credibility =
with your teammates.  Get in and do the best job you can and no one can =
hold anything against you - including yourself.  The goal is to go to =
bed each night happy that you put in as much as you could each day.  =
Create a situation where you are proud of your work and that will build =
your confidence and help you to define your value, which will in turn =
help you to more easily raise your expectations of your partners.

=20

By challenging yourself and those around you, you teach yourself and =
your team what your strengths and weaknesses are. You can then take =
advantage of that which comes easy to you and put in more work on the =
parts of your art that you want to be better at.  If you are an actor =
and you are great with comedy, but have trouble getting to the truth of =
major emotions you should be exploiting your comedic talent to make a =
living and build a brand name, while simultaneously working to put =
yourself in situations that challenge you with the emotional work - =
allowing you to grow and get better.

=20

If you are a screenwriter who is amazing at dialogue, but not as good =
with structure, use your high selling point to encourage people who are =
talented with structure to look at your work.  Most scripts need a =
ridiculous amount of development before they are truly ready to go to =
screen.  Have standards that are so high that you are willing to spend =
time and money making your material, not just good, but phenomenal.

=20

People like to be challenged in this business.  Most people got into it =
for the love of power, money, or the possibility of fame, but somewhere =
along the way you have to fall in love with the art of learning. It's a =
long road to becoming a valuable member of the entertainment community.  =
Hold yourself to high standards if you eventually want to rise to the =
cream.  Check and double check your work.  Think about it all the time.  =
Clear your plate of the work you can get done today and then spend your =
time creating other ideas that you can put into action tomorrow.  If you =
have trouble setting goals and finding things to do - hire a consultant =
who can help you plan out the path ahead of you.  Your eventual goal is =
to generate ideas in the morning, put them into action throughout the =
day and be receiving results by late afternoon.  By setting high =
standards you train yourself to put in the work load that can bring =
about excellent results.

=20

Remember you are competing against the best in the business.  Men and =
women who do this full time.  They are your competition.  You better be =
willing to bleed if you want to get to the top.  Hold yourself to studio =
standards today and you will find yourself working at that level =
tomorrow.

=20

Finding Representation:  If you are looking to find an agent to =
represent you take the following steps.  As with anything you want to =
achieve the best way to reach a goal is to put several options into =
motion and trust that one will come back to you.  Come up with five ways =
to find an agent. =20

1.     Contact everyone you know and let them know that you are looking. =
 Contact any referrals that come your way and try to set up a =
fifteen-minute meeting.=20

2.     Try a mass mailing.  Write a brief cover letter (first draft, =
second draft, final draft - it has to be great and to the point; high =
standards) and send these out. =20

3.     Do a specified mailing.  Do some research and find ten agencies =
online that you can read about and really get to know better.  Then =
draft individual cover letters to each of these (first draft, second =
draft, final draft) and send those off. =20

4.     Go to some agency showcases where agents are there specifically =
to see your talent.  Make sure every one of them leaves impressed with =
you and with a headshot. When you get home send them a thank you card =
and a picture. =20

5.     Get yourself to some agency workshops where agents talk about the =
business. Listen to what they have to say and make sure to introduce =
yourself at the end.  Make sure they leave with a headshot and then when =
you get home send them a thank you card with your picture. =20

=20

The goal is to have several meetings set up.  When you have only one =
meeting it creates desperation, which is the enemy.  Putting five plans =
of attack into motion should help you to generate several meetings.  =
These meetings you get are all that count.  Forget everyone else who did =
not respond.

=20

The Meeting:  Knowing what to ask at the meeting is imperative to coming =
off as a professional.  Make sure you ask the following:

=20

1.         Which casting directors call them in an emergency to send =
their best people in right away?

2.         Which casting directors do they have lunch with?

3.         What do their favorite clients do that they wish all of their =
actors did (in the effort of booking work)?

4.         What kind of actors are they best known for representing?

5.         What are their future goals as an agency?

6.         What do they love about being an agent?

7.         Are they supportive of you doing non-union projects to =
improve your demo reel?

8.         How many actors do they represent that work above scale?

9.         Do they have an open door policy or are you not allowed to =
visit?

10.     What time of day is best to call to check in?

11.     What do they like to hear that their actors are doing to better =
their careers?

=20

It is an understanding of the business like this that will help an agent =
to recognize what level you are at in your career.  Like your cover =
letter, these questions reveal how much you know and don't know about =
the business.  Be prepared.  Be on time. Have your research on them done =
before the meeting (use the internet).  If you have followed the steps =
outlined above you should have  good amount of confidence walking into =
that room.  Be yourself and have fun!

=20

Good luck!!!

=20

Corey Blake, founder of Elevation 9000 Films and cofounder of The LA =
Film Lab (www.lafilmlab.com) acts as a consultant to artists, film =
projects and businesses all over the country.  As an actor, Corey has =
worked professionally in Los Angeles as the face for national campaigns =
such as Miller Light, American Express, Pepsi, McDonald's, Mountain Dew, =
SBC, Wrigley's, Mitsubishi and others. He appeared on a dozen television =
shows and in several films before creating his own production company =
and moving into producing and directing.  Corey writes for over a dozen =
online magazines as well as several in print.  He speaks at Universities =
and festivals promoting high standards and collaboration.  He produced =
the award-winning shorts "The Boy Scout (Remi - Houston Worldfest, =
Honorable Mention - San Louis Obispo, Finalist - Gene Siskel =
Competition)" and "Gretchen Brettschneider Skirts Thirty (Best Short - =
San Diego, 2003)" a film he directed.  The LA Film Lab develops high =
quality short film material for future television programming and =
feature filmmaking.=20

Corey will be in Cleveland August 7, 2004 for the following workshop.=20

http://www.1421e9k.com/w-oneday.htm

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<H1=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><FONT=20
size=3D5><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'">High</SPAN><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> </FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'">Standards</SPAN></FONT></H1>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'"><FONT =
size=3D3> <?xml:namespace prefix =3D=20
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<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT =
size=3D3>This is=20
your life.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>This is your=20
career.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>No one is going =
to take=20
charge of it like you are.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  =
</SPAN>You=92ve=20
probably learned by now that second guessing yourself generally leads to =

disappointment.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Having =
high=20
standards can be the difference between having a piece of work you are =
proud of=20
and having a piece of work you are embarrassed by.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Learn to trust yourself when =
it comes to=20
your art and hold those around you, including yourself, to the highest=20
standards.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT =
size=3D3>For an=20
artist there is nothing worse than spending a tremendous amount of time =
and=20
effort on a piece of work you are not proud of.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Discouragement can destroy the =
momentum=20
you are working so hard to build.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>To avoid this negative outcome you have to take the bull by the =
horns and=20
make sure that you are doing your part to make everything you are =
involved in=20
terrific and calling out others who fail to come to the table with work =
that=20
improves the whole and challenges the team.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT =
size=3D3>Whether=20
you are an actor with a management team and an agency behind you, or a =
director=20
with a PR firm and production company working with you =96 it is your=20
responsibility to hold others and yourself to standards that continually =
impress=20
those around you and incite your team to action.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>When the team is motivated by =
your=20
amazing attitude, the team surrounds you with positive synergy that you =
can then=20
use to build a buzz around your work.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>It=92s time to make sure that everything you are doing challenges =
your own=20
learning process and builds upon your experience and understanding of =
your=20
art.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Raise the =
stakes.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Raise the=20
standards.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; mso-ansi-language: EN"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
primary focus of your high standards should rest on your shoulders =
alone.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>You cannot control what others =
will do,=20
but you can control your own work and the time and attention to detail =
you put=20
into it.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Impress your =
team by=20
continuing to never settle for less than the best in your own work and =
they will=20
see a cause worth fighting for themselves.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Then they will bring more to the table and contribute to the =
growing=20
foundation of your career.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  =
</SPAN>Don=92t be=20
afraid to consult your team when they are not living up to their =
potential, but=20
understand that if you are not challenging yourself to do the same, you =
have no=20
credibility with your teammates.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  =

</SPAN>Get in and do the best job you can and no one can hold anything =
against=20
you =96 including yourself.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  =
</SPAN>The goal=20
is to go to bed each night happy that you put in as much as you could =
each=20
day.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Create a situation =
where you=20
are proud of your work and that will build your confidence and help you =
to=20
define your value, which will in turn help you to more easily raise your =

expectations of your partners.<o:p></o:p>
<FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p>
By=20
challenging yourself and those around you, you teach yourself and your =
team what=20
your strengths and weaknesses are. You can then take advantage of that =
which=20
comes easy to you and put in more work on the parts of your art that you =
want to=20
be better at.  If you are =
an actor=20
and you are great with comedy, but have trouble getting to the truth of =
major=20
emotions you should be exploiting your comedic talent to make a living =
and build=20
a brand name, while simultaneously working to put yourself in situations =
that=20
challenge you with the emotional work =96 allowing you to grow and get=20
better.<o:p></o:p>
<FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p>
If you=20
are a screenwriter who is amazing at dialogue, but not as good with =
structure,=20
use your high selling point to encourage people who are talented with =
structure=20
to look at your work.  =
Most scripts=20
need a ridiculous amount of development before they are truly ready to =
go to=20
screen.  Have standards =
that are so=20
high that you are willing to spend time and money making your material, =
not just=20
good, but phenomenal.<o:p></o:p>
<FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p>
People=20
like to be challenged in this business. =20
Most people got into it for the love of power, money, or the =
possibility=20
of fame, but somewhere along the way you have to fall in love with the =
art of=20
learning. It=92s a long road to becoming a valuable member of the =
entertainment=20
community.  Hold yourself =
to high=20
standards if you eventually want to rise to the cream.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Check and double check your =
work.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Think about it all the =
time.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Clear your plate of the work =
you can get=20
done today and then spend your time creating other ideas that you can =
put into=20
action tomorrow.  If you =
have=20
trouble setting goals and finding things to do =96 hire a consultant who =
can help=20
you plan out the path ahead of you. =20
Your eventual goal is to generate ideas in the morning, put them =
into=20
action throughout the day and be receiving results by late =
afternoon.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  By setting high standards you =
train=20
yourself to put in the work load that can bring about excellent=20
results.<o:p></o:p>
<FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p>
Remember=20
you are competing against the best in the business.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Men and women who do this full =

time.  They are your=20
competition.  You better =
be willing=20
to bleed if you want to get to the top. =20
Hold yourself to studio standards today and you will find =
yourself=20
working at that level tomorrow.<o:p></o:p>
<FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Finding=20
Representation<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  If you are looking to find an =
agent to=20
represent you take the following steps. =20
As with anything you want to achieve the best way to reach a goal =
is to=20
put several options into motion and trust that one will come back to =
you.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Come up with five ways to find =
an=20
agent.  =
<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> 
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">1.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Contact=20
everyone you know and let them know that you are looking.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Contact any referrals that =
come your way=20
and try to set up a fifteen-minute meeting. <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">2.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Try=20
a mass mailing.  Write a =
brief cover=20
letter (first draft, second draft, final draft =96 it has to be great =
and to the=20
point; high standards) and send these out. =20
<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">3.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Do=20
a specified mailing.  Do =
some=20
research and find ten agencies online that you can read about and really =
get to=20
know better.  Then draft =
individual=20
cover letters to each of these (first draft, second draft, =
final=20
draft) and send those off. =20
<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">4.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Go=20
to some agency showcases where agents are there specifically to see your =

talent.  Make sure every =
one of them=20
leaves impressed with you and with a headshot. When you get home send =
them a=20
thank you card and a picture. =20
<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">5.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Get=20
yourself to some agency workshops where agents talk about the business. =
Listen=20
to what they have to say and make sure to introduce yourself at the =
end.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Make sure they leave with a =
headshot and=20
then when you get home send them a thank you card with your =
picture.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The=20
goal is to have several meetings set up. =20
When you have only one meeting it creates desperation, which is =
the=20
enemy.  Putting five plans =
of attack=20
into motion should help you to generate several meetings.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  These meetings you get are all =
that=20
count.  Forget everyone =
else who did=20
not respond.<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The=20
Meeting<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Knowing what to ask at the =
meeting is=20
imperative to coming off as a professional.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Make sure you ask the=20
following:<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">1.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Which=20
casting directors call them in an emergency to send their best people in =
right=20
away?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">2.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Which=20
casting directors do they have lunch with?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">3.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">What=20
do their favorite clients do that they wish all of their actors did (in =
the=20
effort of booking work)?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">4.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">What=20
kind of actors are they best known for =
representing?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">5.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">What=20
are their future goals as an agency?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">6.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">What=20
do they love about being an agent?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">7.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Are=20
they supportive of you doing non-union projects to improve your demo=20
reel?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">8.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">How=20
many actors do they represent that work above =
scale?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">9.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">        =20
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Do=20
they have an open door policy or are you not allowed to=20
visit?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">10.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">What=20
time of day is best to call to check in?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">11.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">What=20
do they like to hear that their actors are doing to better their=20
careers?<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">It=20
is an understanding of the business like this that will help an agent to =

recognize what level you are at in your career.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Like your cover letter, these =
questions=20
reveal how much you know and don=92t know about the business.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Be prepared.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  Be on time. Have your research =
on them=20
done before the meeting (use the internet).<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  If you have followed the steps =
outlined=20
above you should have  =
good amount=20
of confidence walking into that room. =20
Be yourself and have fun!<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Good=20
luck!!!<o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Corey=20
Blake, founder of Elevation 9000 Films and cofounder of The LA Film Lab =
(<A=20
href=3D"http://www.lafilmlab.com/">www.lafilmlab.com</A>) =
acts as a=20
consultant to artists, film projects and businesses all over the =
country.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">  As an actor, Corey has worked=20
professionally in Los Angeles as the face for national campaigns such as =
Miller=20
Light, American Express, Pepsi, McDonald's, Mountain Dew, SBC, =
Wrigley's,=20
Mitsubishi and others. He appeared on a dozen television shows and in =
several=20
films before creating his own production company and moving into =
producing and=20
directing.  Corey writes for over a dozen online magazines as =
well=20
as several in print.  He speaks at Universities and =
festivals=20
promoting high standards and collaboration. <SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: blue"> He =
produced=20
the award-winning shorts "The Boy Scout (Remi - Houston Worldfest,=20
Honorable Mention - San Louis Obispo, Finalist - Gene Siskel =
Competition)"=20
and "Gretchen Brettschneider Skirts Thirty (Best Short - San Diego, =
2003)"=20
a film he directed.  <SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black">The LA Film Lab develops high quality short film =
material=20
for future television programming and feature=20
filmmaking. 
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"> 
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black">Corey will be in Cleveland August 7, =
2004 for the=20
following workshop. 
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"> 
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><A=20
href=3D"http://www.1421e9k.com/w-oneday.htm">http://www.1421e9k.com/w-one=
day.htm</A>
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"> 
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet =
MS'; mso-bidi-font-size: =
10.0pt"><o:p></o:p> </DIV></BODY></HTML>

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