Wise Words For New Creatives - Alan Greenstein

By Deborah Thomas

Alan Greenstein, Executive Producer And Founder Of The Organization Support Our #Creatives® Is A Key Player And Visionary In The Entertainment Industry.

His Organisation’s Mission Is To Level The Playing Field For Under-Represented Creators And Artists So That They Have The Same Opportunities As Everyone Else To Get Their Works Created, Distributed, And Seen.

Alan Is The Host Of The Successful Support Our #Creatives Podcast, That Interviews A Variety Of Guests From The Creative Industry, Innovators And Change-Makers. With A Successful Career To Date And An Expert In His Field, Alan Shares With London Glossy His Wise Words For The Budding Creatives.

FOLLOW HIS LEAD AS THESE ARE SOME OF HIS RECOMMENDATIONS

AN ON-LINE PRESENCE HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO HOOK UP WITH CREATIVES IN A WAY NOT POSSIBLE IN THE PAST.

It is important to be on social media.

Follow a creative you admire or aspire to be like. Be aware of that creative’s online presence. For example, if the person is on a podcast, tune in and show your support. Post about your interests as a creative. Before you know it, people will reach out to you.

Consider writing a blog and hosting a podcast yourself. People will note you are serious when you commit yourself to these time-intensive activities. Use the blog to document your experiences as a creative so others can learn from you just as you are learning from others. Having a blog and podcast will have the side benefits of developing or enhancing skills such as writing and editing.

THINK LOCAL! THAT’S A GREAT WAY TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR!

Use social media to support the local talent and their performances. Attend performances at your local community theatre. You will be able to meet actors and crew. Volunteer your time at the venue. That is a great way to learn the process of putting together a show.

You may be surprised to learn that filmed content is being produced right in your city! Attend screenings, red carpet events, and film festivals for locally produced projects. It’s a great way to meet creatives of all kinds: actors, writers, directors, etc. Volunteer to work on-set as a production assistant.

BE REALISTIC, DON’T COUNT ON WELL-KNOWN CELEBRITIES TO HELP YOU BECOME AN INSIDER!

TakeTake advantage of every opportunity that comes along and every person that reaches out to you. You may not have “heard of” a particular person, but you will find that he/she is very well known by an entire circle of creatives. Hence you will become acquainted with like-minded people who will get to know you too.

SELL YOURSELF, PUBLICIZE IN -DEMAND SKILLS YOU POSSESS, SUCH AS ACTING, PHOTOGRAPHY, EDITING, SOUND ENGINEERING, ETC

Post about your skills on social media sites. Create a business card highlighting your skills that you can pass out at networking events. As you gain experience working with other creatives, make it known what you have learned.

Be honest about your abilities. Do not oversell.

This is a great way to show you are serious if you are willing to have a stake in a project. This can lead to long-term relationships and additional opportunities. If you have a company, on-screen credit for your company is a plus, besides your own personal credit.

You can also sponsor events such as awards shows and galas. This is a great way for your presence to be felt, even if you are not in attendance

Conclusion

There is so much going on out there. Reach out and work with your fellow creatives to make something great happen. It is such a rewarding experience as you hang with people who want to hang with you. It is a mutual learning experience.