This video is an invaluable overview of how studios, networks, cable channels and streamers function - - how they’re different and how, in some cases, quite similar.  We unpack how each platform operates with each other, and how different divisions function within all these creative companies. You’ll learn what’s unique and special about how film executives buy, versus content buyers in TV. Finally, you’ll discover what my “Triple AAA” standard is, when advising creators about the minimum of what’s expected in any creative selling and producing endeavor.

There are many paths to a successful entertainment career, but without these five fundamentals, it’s likely you’ll waste a lot of time and energy finding your way. Few emerging creators realize how important it is to find their creative lane, and as important, how clearly, they must communicate that specialty to the world. Learn how the work of your role models can influence your career path and see how creating content is only one lesson in the artist’s education - - discovering how you can create success for yourself is a learned discipline as well.

One of the biggest myths in Hollywood is that others – agents, managers, and lawyers – find us work. Over the long haul, that may turn out to be true, but in the beginning, we must find our own way and this chapter shows you how.  You’ll learn that half the battle is learning how to talk about your own slate of projects, and where those projects have the best chance at being bought. We discuss how to create your own network and manifest opportunity via these contacts; how to build valuable relationships and nurture those that you may already have. Finally, we take a hard look at your obsession about representation and uncover what may lie beneath that unhelpful and heartbreaking pursuit.

There are easily identifiable, discreet, and unique characteristics that writers, directors, actors, and producers display - - learn more about each discipline and ask yourself, “which one is me?” Am I a hybrid? As important as it is to pick the kind of genre specialist you are, equally crucial is communicating to the world how you express your specific voice. This chapter helps you identify what kind of artist you really are.

In this highly personal video, I show you how I’ve applied many of the lessons I share in building my own creative career, which has included: running a studio, overseeing a network, creating my own production company (where we won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture (CRASH, 2005), becoming a film professor and a professional writer. Unlike starting out as a doctor, lawyer, cop, or accountant, finding a way “up the ladder of success in Hollywood” can often be challenging, if not impossible. Ladders are visible in other professions; in entertainment, the ladder is often invisible. Via my own story, and stories like mine, I show you how to make visible the invisible. Along the way, I hopefully inspire you when you see that if I can make my creative career dreams come true, so can you.

In this essential video, learn what representation is necessary and what is optional, as you venture into professional creative gigs. There’s much confusion about the actual differences between agents and managers - - we cover all of that here, as well as what they’re paid and when you’re likely to most need them. We reiterate how key it is for creatives to realize that representation is helpful once your career is up and going, but it’s rarely responsible for finding the artist paying work. In the beginning, it’s all up to you.

One of my more memorable and often-requested in-person lectures is brought to life in this video. Creative types are often the most vulnerable among us, and there’s nothing we hate more than embarrassing ourselves. Learn in this video simple ways to avoid behaviors that can destroy a pitch and instead create a lasting negative impression that buyers may never forget. While funny and entertaining, this video is no laughing matter. As they say, you only have one good chance to make a good first impression, and this is exponentially truer in entertainment than in other fields. Allow me to prevent you from messing up the way so many other rookies have (and word to the wise: some never recover professionally from those first foul-ups.)

Professional creators, producers and executives always debate about “what makes the best pitch?” Having heard tens of thousands of them, I know which ingredients are fundamental and I can also steer you away from coming off like a contestant at pitch fest.  We talk about comps or the use of “comparable titles”, where your “personal connection” to the project belongs, when and how your show’s title is used and when to slide in the format - - a comedy or drama pilot, action-adventure screenplay, docu-series, etc.  One of the key ingredients has nothing to do with your project but everything about you and your behavior during the pitch. If you want to sell your content successfully, this video will work wonders in helping you prepare.

There are such things as born-brilliants, overnight successes, instant superstars – and they account for about .000001% of all people working consistently in entertainment. The overwhelming and vast majority of writers, producers, directors and actors put in their 10,000 hours and then some, to get work and keep working. Among those dedicated artisans, I’ve found that nearly all of them have four major attributes in common, and the way I discuss these attributes might surprise you. Spoiler alert: none involve luck. Apply these principles, gather these resources and your success won’t just be closer, but the way you approach it will never be the same.

Creators often struggle with the question: what project should I do next? Actually, the question should be: How does this project align with my singular, creative voice? Everyone in Hollywood shouts from the rooftops that new creators must stand out, must be unique, must have that singular vision. How can you find yours? This video helps you unpack what one of the main commandments is in Hollywood: Thou Must Have a Singular, Creative Voice. But just how do I create that, when I have a range of interests? Let me help you focus and along the way, articulate some genres and creative categories. “Hybrids” are very popular; we discuss how to embrace combining genres without being too confusing or challenging to the buying community.

What do vulnerability and confidence have in common? How can I be both “startlingly original” while remaining “consistent, reliable and enduring?” Someone new to the scene, can I be a student, or must I be a master of the genre I’m seeking to bend, an authority in my artistic lane and an expert in my area of interest?  Spoiler alert: "No" to being a student; "Yes," to aiming towards utter mastery of your genre. See how I unpack the dazzling careers of QUENTIN TARANTINO; ISSA RAE; SASCHA BARON COHEN; LENA DUNHAM; DAVE BURD and SPIKE LEE and show you how they all are much more similar than you think. This video doesn’t only apply to new content creators; if you’re struggling finding what buyers expect, I will answer your questions and likely many more!

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