Entertainment Professionals Charge Consultation Fees

 Managers, and other professionals in the entertainment industry have the ability to charge a fee for consultation. 
Before opening your wallet ask yourself what you are paying for,  and is it worth it?  
It could be?  How do you determine if it's worth it or not?
Does the person have credibility?  I have been in the Entertainment business for over 20 years.  I'm a great resource and have a lot of real connections.  I make sure that after the consultation the person leaves with a feeling like their money was well spent because I give them tons of information.  I also have recommendations from people that have worked with me. 
Legally,  I am able to charge a fee for someone who wants to take the 20+ years I have had gaining experience and knowledge to pick my brain.  There is a lot of research that goes into becoming a professional. 
Depending on the state you live in there could be laws for professionals for charging fees.
California requires Talent Agents to be licensed and they cannot refer you to photographers or other professionals that sell you portfolio's or training.   Be sure to check your state's laws and requirements. 
Getting an agent here also requires a referral at times.  What does this mean?  Unless the agent knows you they won't meet with you unless someone they know and trust give you a referral. Often you can contact the agency and talk to the receptionist and ask what the person requests as protocol for working with you.  In the state of California, if an agent charges you a consultation fee,  run!
Many times I will require an appointment and a small fee to spend an hour of my time to give consultation.  My time is minimal and very valuable to me.  If I didn't do that I would be spending most of my time talking to people wanting to pursue careers and not spending time doing my other responsibilities like Sales, Advertising, Marketing, Running a Business, Finding Camera Operators and Editors work, returning emails and phone calls, writing proposals and bids, sending submissions...etc. (you get the picture).  Over the past two days I have had 3 people request information from me.  One is asking me to seek representation for thier dog?
Last night after 8pm a cab driver dropped by my studio and asked if he could give me a cd with music that he wants to have published for commercial use.  He asked if he could discuss with me how to go through the process?
I run a business, I have business hours and my time is valuable so for this person I kindly explained that I charge $50 for consultation and it needs to be done by appointment.  When he returns,  I will have people for him to contact,  ideas for him to enhance his goals, and a solid game plan.  I think it's well worth the small fee that he is paying for the amount of research and development of his career?  Don't you?  I also think it was fair for me to request the fee and an appointment as my studio is closed after 6pm. 
If you are in the Entertainment business don't feel bad for charging fees to people who might suck the life out of you.  It's business, not personal.
If you are someone wanting to be in the business, pay for the consultation or do the research yourself? it's as simple as that.

Professionalism by texting?

So here it is at 4:44 am (my nemesis). I am wide awake and can't sleep because of a NON-Client who has been texting me for two days.  First what makes it comical to me is that he was trying to set an appointment by texting.  What intrigues me is where is the professionalism here?
This person contacted me approx. 5 months ago requesting to have some music vid made.  At the time I spoke to him, he hadn't even put lyrics to his music and sent me 3 MP3's of some shoddy keyboard tracks.  I explained to him that I would need to have completed music to produce the video,  gave him some solid advice on scripting since he didn't want to pay my fees for that.  (I charge $350 for scripting,design and development).  I wished him luck and told him to contact me when he had everything completed. 
5 months later, I'm receiving a random text asking to set an appointment on a Saturday (which I don't work, unless it's contracted) No details just I'm coming over to your studio on Saturday at 2:30 what's your address? I asked him several times to call me by phone.  He just kept insisting on getting the address and wasn't cooperating with calling me.
I asked the person to identify themselves, and to call me so I could get more details.  (The text only shows the phone number as I don't plug in every person who contacts me in my address book?)
The client only responded by continuing to ask me for my office address. He started to become hostile because I wasn't making the appointment.
I tried to contact the client by phone and got a digital recording to leave a voicemail.  Not even a real person on the recording?  At this point I wasn't only thinking that why would a recording artist not record a voicemail? I was also thinking, this could be dangerous.
The best part was that each time I requested that this person contact me by phone  as I would need  more details, the person was getting angry and insulting me for not giving him my address.
At what point do you say no to business?  What professional person sets appointments with a video producer by text messaging.  Am I supposed to have less courtesy than other professions?
The person wanted to spend $500 to put together a stock footage music video, which is great.  However he would have cost me over $500 in grief.  At what point do you walk away from business?
When the person can't make a phone call or talk over the phone, they are probably not legit.  
He even had the gall,  to tell me he was a broker who worked from 6am-5pm. 
I frankly don't care if he was the President,  If he can't pick up the phone and have a conversation with me about his project then there is no project.
As a professional I always try to do the right thing.   My integrity is very valuable to me.  I treat my clients in a very special manner and with the utmost respect.  I demand respect back.  Does he think I'm that desperate for $500 bucks?   I only set appointments with people I know and trust.  If it's a client, I would have a contract in place before I spend any time dealing with them face to face. 
What makes me not be able to sleep is the fact that this person thought it was my problem that I wasn't making an appointment via text with a complete stranger???  
As much as I'd like to make $500,  I don't need his money and when all is said and done it's not the money it's the relationship that was missing.  I'm in this industry because I love what I do.  But I also love that I can say no when it doesn't feel right. 
Take care Mr. Non Client. 

Craigslist And the Ban for Doing work for FREE

For quite some time now I've been seeing a wicked trend of  Film Makers working for Credit and sometimes a meal, instead of money.   This is a trend that needs to Cease and Desist.  I hope to describe to anyone reading this blog why.  I also have a special request afterwards. Here is the reason we need to stop working for free:
1.   The Economy.  In order for our economy to improve we need to spend money.  If you work for Credit/Meal you may not have to buy groceries. However,  while you stock up on Craft services (place gently in pockets) What about shopping, Dining, and Rent?  I can't pay rent with an IMDb credit.  Where does the IMDb credit get you these days, anyway?  No one cares that I was Ashley Olsen's (Olsen Twins) Stunt Devil and Stand in when she was 14! No one cares that I've been a Co-Producer of a National TV show.  No one cares that I was the spokesperson for Coleman Campers.  To the best of my knowledge people who want to hire me as a Producer are looking for someone who can handle the damn job!  Most of the time, I'm sure they don't even know what the IMDb stands for.
2.   No other profession expects their people to work for such nonsense.  At least when you intern as a medical professional there is a good chance you will be hired for pay.  The biggest reason is taking pride in what we do.  I work my ass off every day to be the best damn producer I can be and I am well worth the money I charge for the work I do.  To work for no pay is a slap in the face! When I see ads for Editor's and they are offered $8.00 an hour it's embarrassing.   I understand that people just starting out need to get their big feet through the door.  However, when we continue to allow people to take advantage of us, we'll get taken.
3.  A Talent Manager I worked for back in the 80's (yea that's right, I'm old) gave me the best advice ever "The Entertainment Industry is a business.  It's a Multi Trillion dollar business that was made up of dreams.  Just remember it's still a business".  That was by far the best thing anyone could have ever told me. 
It's also the hardest part for an artist (as we all are) because we went to Film School instead of Business School.  Try going to Business School and telling them that you work for free on the majority of your projects.  I'm sure the students would say "You gotta put in your time".
I love this industry and have had some of my best experiences working with people like Bruce Willis, Ed Asner, Michael Gross, Connie Stevens, Mary Kate and Ashley, Just to name a few.  I have been fortunate to be paid well on a lot of these projects.  As a professional business woman I am asking that you all start realizing your credits will only get you so far.  What's the difference if you have credits but have to end your dream, because you had to take on Full Time work to pay your bills.  What happens then? Do you think that your next employer will care that you almost spilled coffee on John Lithgow?
I'd like everyone to realize that You are worth more than that.  Take the time to answer the Craigslist Ads and let people know We are done working for free.  If they want a video or graphics to be done, they will have to get a budget and pay for it.  Just like I can't buy a Cheeseburger at the Jack in the Box on credit, they need to pay you for the work you performed.
I do offer consultation for free on the many ways to act as a business person in the Entertainment Industry. 

Websites and their new Importance!

Ok, so this week has been really hectic, I've had company for five days straight which is fun, however you still need to work when your importance is the success of a small company.  It's crazy we are almost belly up and I am doing everything I can just to get started.  Most small businesses fail and it's hard to stay focused and driven sometimes. 
I am really happy to say the the new Website is almost complete.  When I get this finished, one of my goals is to start a Vlog.  I am open to suggestions.  (for realsy's) In making the decision to re-do the website I've had a lot of shopping around and then I found a really great company www.tinyfrog.com. Mikel Bruce and Inga have really been cool to work with.  I'm really excited to see the site coming along. 
I specialize in a whimsical, fun personality and really enjoy life and I think that they have really captured who I am as a business person.  
Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was telling me how the website was really affecting my businesses results makes me even more excited that it is almost complete. My advice if you are thinking of updating your site is make sure you find someone who wants you to be a success.  Many of the Website people I have been working with were extremely unprofessional and extremely pushy.  
Your website really is a reflection of you as a business but you as a professional as well. The company that just ripped us off for close to $1200 was really difficult to work with.  
Think about why they call it an "online store".   It is the most important tool that you have.  It is a reflection of you.  Spending money on this is imperative to your company's success.  So if it's one of your biggest Statements then why go cheezy? 
Oh and speaking of Cheese, my remedy of the week is Doritoes with Greek Yogurt, and watching any movie with Bradley Cooper in it!

I

I Want to turn my "Rose Colored Glasses" in for a pair of Prada's

I'm a Betsy Johnson inspired part-time DJ, Actress, and full time Entrepreneur.  Who knows what she wants and is seriously on her way to get it.  I am inspired by women of great Success.  Oprah, Barbara Walters, Madonna.  I also take great pride in being a woman and being driven.  I'm a feminist at heart but don't believe I need to bust balls to get somewhere. 

When my mother and I would discuss me becoming a vocalist in a band she would say sternly, "Take off your Rose Colored Glasses,  Pick a real job like becoming a nail technician",  I would reply back to her that someday my Rose Colored Glasses will be made by Prada!

  My mom used to also tell me "You can Be Anything if you try".  So it's not a wonder that I'm confused. LOL! 

Within the next six months I have a goal to become the Video Place that all San Diegans think of.  I want EveGreyProductions to take over the world?  Just kidding. 
But I'm still gonna get those Prada's.  the end!

A little PR goes a long way...Written by Eve and Maureen of EveGreyProductions

EVEGREYPRODUCTIONS HAS The answer to KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS TUNED IN: Internet Video!

 Recent projections for the Internet is there will be over 2.10 billion Internet users by 2012.  97% of consumers now use online media when researching products and services in their local area.   YouTube (video content only) is the 2^nd largest search engine in the world making video content the hottest item on the internet!  There are more than 1 billion videos watched worldwide everyday!

82% of internet users are familiar with video, 52% of those take an action as a result of that video and 16% of those purchase as a result of that video.  If your company doesn’t have video on your website it is missing out on the most compelling marketing tool of our time.   It only mades sense to offer your clients access to your goods and services via internet video.

CEO Eve Grzadzinski of EveGreyProductions L.L.C., (formerly Co-Producer of the John Kerwin Show and Ashley Olson’s Stunt person), saw a need in San Diego for a full service Videography Company that would allow clients to incorporate Hollywood calibre video into their businesses without spending the money of a Hollywood Production.

Eve accessed her extensive network of film professionals and has a formidable collection of 9 Cinematographers, 4 Editors and 4 Associate Producers to do your bidding.  Her team is experienced and will craft the video that will get your business the internet presence it needs to stay competitive and capture a much larger  market share than businesses not using video marketing.

Making Lists

I woke up this morning with the intention that I was going to get so much work done but then I realized that my cell phone didn't work.  I can't allow that to get in my way and I have so many other things to be working on.  Blogging is one of them. 
My game plan today is to look fresh and start new.  Re-organize my boards, make my game plan for the week, set up a routine for excersice.  Go out and shoot some quality video. 
Even though I have no phone the list is endless to what I do without one.
Time management is imperative to those in the entertainment production industry.
I find that what works for me is to create lists.  At the end of my day I have crossed out a dozen or so tasks on my list.  That makes me manage my time better but it also creates a lot of self-esteem because at the end of the day I realize that I have accomplished a whole set of things.  These lists can be used later when writing resume's or cover letters to show that I have tackled these tasks and completed them.
As soon as a thought comes to my head, I write it down.  No human can possibly remember everything.  Once I forgot to write down that I wasn't supposed to update my software on my cell phone.... And this is the reason I can't use it today!