Entertainment Industry Info Dump
This is an opportunity for me to share as much as I can with you about your specific area of interest in about an hour. It will be different based on your personal pursuits in the industry. I have included popular topics below, based on common profiles for people I coach: 1. Undergrad, MS or MBA student (or soon to be grad): - Industry insights, specific industry questions you should anticipate in an interview that are separate from your functional area of interest (finance, marketing, etc). - Evaluation of your current knowledge and blind spots to work on fixing as you pursue different roles. - Discussion of different types of roles within the business sphere/corporate side of entertainment or application of your business skills - in an entertainment context. - Salary expectation setting (lower than other industries, FYI). - Parts of the industry that are likely to pay more/less and where there may be more/less opportunities. - Understanding of work environments, expectations of time invested, hourly vs day rate, vs salaried roles (and contract 1099 work vs W2 employees). 2. Early or mid-career professionals who want to transition into the corporate side of entertainment or work at a studio in a traditional "business" role - Salary expectations. - Clear game plan and discussion about approximately how long a transition from outside entertainment might take. - Financial preparation/considerations for making the move to LA, NYC or similar. - Does it make sense to transition now, early in your career? Or move up your current ladder, and try to slot in at a higher level role later on? - Drilling you on current knowledge of your desired job type/industry area. 3. Early or mid-career professionals who want to transition into working in production (feature animation, or on set for film and TV), or some type of artistic role (writing, directing/AD, acting, editing, etc). I can speak at a very high level to roles in lighting, props, construction, music recording, etc, but these are not my areas of specific expertise. - Salary expectations. - Understanding of different unions, regulations, access to job postings, etc. - Financial planning for making the transition successfully and sustainably. - Success stories of people I know - and stories about people who've been in the game just as long and left. - Understanding how your personal life priorities align with your future career plans and time required. ***Specific to acting - understanding the onramp period, costs involved in getting started and sustaining yourself in an expensive city between acting gigs and auditions.*** 4. Students considering applying for or attending film school either as an undergrad or graduate student - Specific program ROI vs investment (USC, AFI, Florida State, etc) - If grad school or film school is necessary for your chosen function within the entertainment world - Consideration of choice of major if you decide to attend undergrad or grad school and plan to work in the entertainment field -Discussion of project based work outside of academics
What's included
YOU are in the driver seat. I am your guide (sitting in the passenger seat) :). I have a lot of different maps - and you get to choose which direction we go and which map(s) we use. Sounds like an adventure, huh? I always start our conversation asking for a quick update on your current state, followed by a question like, "What would you like to work on today?" or "After our time today, what do you want to have accomplished?" If you're not sure what the answer is the first time I ask this question - I'm happy to provide some suggestions. Over time, I find clients get the most benefit when they come prepared with a few different "action items" to discuss or work on - and/or a list of questions. Ultimately, only YOU know what you need. I can provide tactical guidance when it comes to concrete things and defined processes like resumes or appropriate outreach to a new networking contact. I can’t tell you what will be a good long term career fit for you. The truth is - you will likely do MANY different things over the course of your career. That’s ok. That’s the new normal. The question isn’t necessarily, “What do you want to do forever?” It’s, “What makes the most sense to pursue right now?”]\ My goal is for you to build the skills and confidence you need to navigate any major pivot from here on out. I want you to learn how to evaluate your own performance honestly (and compassionately) after an interview, or feel empowered to ask your boss what you need to do to reach your next promotion. My students and past clients describe me as: an excellent listener someone who cares about them - not just their job search a resume wizard someone who provides insightful and actionable feedback, especially about behavioral interviews a source of encouragement and accountability I am reachable by phone, text and email during regular business hours. I sometimes respond outside of these times - especially if there is a time sensitive offer pending, etc., that we've discussed in advance. Always feel free to reach out - I will respond as I am able. Always within 48 hours (though I try my best to make it 24 hours).
- Best practices for how to move forward in further industry research, networking efforts, and cold outreach for production or internship roles
- Understanding of "start up costs" for those with artistic pursuits, as well as special programs sponsored by studios and unions to create opportunities for underrepresented candidates (if applicable)
- Clearer understanding of if/when graduate school might be beneficial
- Clearly defined options for various roles in entertainment and job titles to research further
Meet your expert
Kira D.
Hi, I'm Kira, an ex-Disney recruiter with 12+ years experience coaching and collaborating with professionals at all levels of their career - from experienced executives in non-profits and real estate, to MBAs pivoting from arts to finance, to international students in STEM MS programs, and undergrad students working towards their first professional entertainment internships (USC Marshall, UW Foster, NC State, Pepperdine University). Though I am very comfortable with clients at all stages of life - in this season I have focussed my services on expanding oportunties for mid-life professionals looking for their 2nd or 3rd act pivot or shift. A lot of that is due to the first 10 years of my career in entertainment, before I found my way into coaching. I have had countless conversations with friends and colleagues over the last decade all with the same thing in common. We busted our butts to climb to the tops of ladders we defined when we were 25, and by 45 (or 35 or 55) that role we worked so hard to get wasn't a fit any more. Not for the people who we'd become along the way. These are some of the most challenging and stressful career changes for people and I just happen to LOVE working through these hard questions and guiding people through this process. Prior to Higher-ed, I worked for 10 years in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles in corporate media and feature animation production (DreamWorks Animation), as a C Level Executive Assistant, Casting Assistant, and in HR/Recruiting (Disney, Lucasfilm/ILM). I've navigated several significant career pivots in my life and have a unique ability to draw out a person's story and help them wrap words around what matters to them in a compelling and authentic way. I have a lot of empathy and compassion for people navigating this space - as I have personal experience with how challenging it can be! My clients and students describe me as: a "sanity check," a (kind) straight-shooter, a networking wizard, exceptionally empathetic and encouraging, insightful, the best resume note-giver they have ever encountered, and a killer interview coach! My main goal in any conversation is to help YOU get clear about your next step - and to identify what you need to do in order to reach your short and long term career (and life!) goals. I'm typically a good fit and have a lot of experience working with people who: - Are making a significant career pivot (to a different job function, industry or both). I'm an especially great fit for midlife professionals. - Are interested in careers in the entertainment space (film, TV, streaming, etc.) OR who are wanting to transition out of entertainment into a more "traditional" corporate role. - Are MBAs recruiting for internships or full-time for all role types (Corporate Finance, Marketing/Brand, non-tech PM, PMM, Leadership Programs, Supply Chain/Ops, Business Intelligence, Sales, Startups) outside of IB and Management Consulting. I have experience working with clients and students in IB and Consulting - but there are a lot of folks on the platform who have more hands on experience here. I will say - I do a mean behavioral interview - and have had folks with a bent towards IB and Consulting remark that they have benefitted from my approach to the behavioral portion of the interview process, while working with other coaches on the technical/case portion. - Are international students struggling with networking best practices in the US and understanding the basics of H1B and STEM OPT. I have worked with programs where 70-90% of the students were from outside the US. That said, I am not an immigration professional and cannot provide legal advice. I look forward to hearing more about you!