BCEC Television Committee Meeting #4: Expanding Your Network

BCEC Television Committee MeetingExpanding Your Network March 30, 2014

Rachel Kang | [email protected]

Agenda

• Icebreaker: Spring Break • Industry News • Building Your Network• Informational Interviews• Keeping in Touch • Assignment: Informational Interview• Upcoming Events

• Beginning in 1994, the company had prospered by airing reruns of NBC’s Law & Order on its flagship network, A&E

• The now-renamed A+E Networks is approaching its 30th anniversary and boasts 18 of the top 50 cable shows

• “Programming has to evolve. MTV doesn’t play music anymore. The biggest programs on AMC are Walking Dead and Mad Men—not movies. A+E has gotten younger and bigger through a combination of unscripted programs and event programming” – Brad Adgate, senior VP research at Horizon Media

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: A+E at 30: How a Tiny Network Became a $26 Billion Success

Story

• 2004’s reality show boom allowed A+E to brand its channels with low-cost programming

• Shows like Growing Up Gotti and Dog the Bounty Hunter lowered the average age of A&E by 20 years

• The game-changer for History was the channel’s foray into scripted programming

STUDIO SYSTEM NEWS: The Pros & Cons of Straight-to-Series TV Pickups

STUDIO SYSTEM NEWS: The Pros & Cons of Straight-to-Series TV Pickups

PROS: • Networks don’t waste money on pilots that

never get picked up• Producers don’t need to go all out on the pilot• Producers have time to get things right

CONS:• It’s a lot of money if the show fails• What you see is what you get

NetworkingLearning how to network effectively is one of the most powerful tools an individual can use to advance their personal and professional life

This skill can help you land your dream job, score a promotion, and become close with the leaders in your industry

Source: Business Insider

How to Get StartedIf you’ve never done it before, networking can

seem intimidating, but the only way to get better is to

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!Try to be active in the 4 types of networking groups1.Casual contact networks (networking events,

industry mixers, speaker panels, career roundtables)

2.Knowledge networks (professional organizations, such as BCEC)

3.Strong contact networks (groups that meet frequently to build professional relationships, such as Berkeley Film Friends)

4.Online networks (professional social media services, such as LinkedIn)

Informational InterviewsOne of the most effective networking techniques, an informational interview is an opportunity to gather career and industry information from a professional by asking a series of questions

Conversations can take place over email, on the phone, or in-person (e.g., coffee chat or lunch)

Usually initiated through an introductory email

NOT a solicitation for a job or internship

Finding ContactsThe ideal subject is someone who holds a position that you are interested in

LinkedIn is a great source! Join relevant groups, follow companies, and search for for positions you’d like to hold

You can also search for human resources managers/recruiters to ask them about the hiring process, as well as what jobs are available at their company

Introducing YourselfHAVE AN EFFECTIVE SUBJECT LINE. Address your specific intention and make it personal. Mention the receiver’s name to grab their attention, such as “Catherine – Request to Chat” or “Catherine – Request from a Berkeley Student.” If you’ve been referred by someone, include that, such as “John Smith Suggested We Connect.” An empty or awkward subject line will be deleted.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF. Take 1-2 sentences to explain who you are and how you got your contact’s email. Try to find some common ground, such as if you admire their blog posts or went to the same school. If you were referred by someone, mention it.

STATE YOUR REQUEST. Explain why you are reaching out and what you hope to gain from the connection. Include 1-2 specific questions that can be answered in a response.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. Do not include any attachments. If they want to see your resume, they will ask for it.

CLOSE THE SALE. Include your contact information and availability. Ask for an opportunity to connect again for a more in-depth conversation. Face-to-face is most effective.

Template: General PurposeSubject: Sally – Request for a Chat

Good morning Sally,

My name is [name], and I am a student at UC Berkeley interested in entering television development. I got your email address after reading your profile on the Cal Alumni Network earlier today.

I saw that you also majored in media studies. When looking at your career journey, I’m inspired to ask for your guidance on a few questions—would you have 20 minutes to meet on the phone or over coffee?

Let me know if you have a few minutes to meet up in the next week or two. It would be great to connect! I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,[Name][Contact Info]

When You Have a Mutual Friend

Subject: Eric – Request to Chat from a Friend of Emily

Hi Eric,

I’m a student who has worked with Emily. She knows that I want to work in television production and suggested that I speak with you. I’m currently making time to develop my skills and focus on what’s really important when it comes to hiring professionals in this field. I’ve had a look at your IMDB page and really enjoyed your work on Name of Show.

I’d love the opportunity to spend 20 minutes to discuss your career path, as well as what your expectations are for hiring production assistants and working with them. Would it be possible to have a coffee chat sometime? I understand you are very busy, so you could also answer these over email.

If you are free, I’m available during the following times:

[list times]

Best regards,Jill

Someone Who Might Remember You

Subject: Grace – Hope You Remember Me

Hi Grace,

My name is Debra, and I am a student at UC Berkeley. I’m hoping you remember me from the BCEC Film and TV Speaker Panel that was held last March. I had a great time speaking with you and felt that I learned a great deal about animation from your talk about working at Pixar.

I’d love to hear your take on the future of CGI film for 20 minutes over a cup of coffee. I know you’d be a well of information on the subject and hope you can shed some light on your work. I’d especially love to know what your transition has been like after graduating with an EECS major.

I hear Peet’s down the street from the office is great. Either way, I’ll work around your schedule.

Think you’d be interested?

Thank you,Debra

How to PrepareDo your homework. Research this person and the company they work for. Let the person know if their work has impacted you, and ask a question about what you’ve learned and how it might apply to something you are doing. This is a great reward for the person you are contacting and lets them know of their impact in the field they work in.

Dress for success. Regular business attire is appropriate.

Bring your resume. The interviewee may ask for a copy, and you can ask them to offer suggestions on how to make it more effective for obtaining a job in this field or company.

Call or email to confirm your appointment.

Great your interviewee with a moderately firm handshake and bright smile

Prepare a list of questions.

Decide if and how you will record information. Make sure to ask for permission before you record.

Arrive on time.

End the interview when you promised to.

Ask if you can stay in contact. Ask for their business card and whether they have any referrals they could suggest.

Thank the interviewee (and then again in a thank you note)

Sample Questions

1. What are some entry-level opportunities in this field/organization?

2. Tell me about your career path and those common in this field.

3. What kinds of entry-level jobs or internships do you think are good training ground?

4. What is a typical day on the job like?5. What is the corporate culture of your

company?6. Can you recommend anyone else for me

to speak with?

Worst Communication Mistakes Professionals Can Make

3 things affect whether you’re seen as having as having potential leadership potential, according to a study by the Center for Talent Innovation: projecting gravitas, maintaining a polished appearance, and having great communication skills

Sentence hijacking. Avoid the temptation to finish someone’s sentence. If someone else has interrupted them, you can redirect by saying, “Let’s go back to what Susan said.”

Overgesturing. Talking too much with your hands diminishes your power. Wear a watch or bracelet to remind yourself not to overgesture, or try sitting on your hands.

Talking too quickly. To find the right pace, mimic your favorite news anchor.

Keeping in Touch• Write a thank you note to the people you have

interviewed. Report back to them if you have followed up on any suggestions.

• Stay in touch with all of your professional contacts, past internship coordinators, past employers, and past coworkers.

• You want people to remember who you are and to cultivate stronger relationships with professionals. The idea here is that you are reaching out to say hello and not because you need something. Students tend to only get in touch with professional contacts when they need a job, resume building, a letter of recommendation, or a referral.

• Get in the habit of reaching out consistently just to say hello and not to ask for anything

• Remember that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others

Assignment: Informational Interview

OBJECTIVE: Schedule an informational interview with someone you wish to learn from, career-wise• Find your potential subject and their email

address• Let me know if you need help getting

contact info• Forward me the email you send • If they respond, schedule the informational

interview• Best of luck, and let me know how it goes!

DUE Saturday, April 5 by 11:59 PM

Upcoming EventsSUPERB Presents: Game of Thrones College Tour – Tuesday, April 1 at 7 PM

360° of the Video Game Industry: A Roundtable Networking Event - Thursday, April 3 at 8 PM

CBS San Francisco Studio Tour – date has been moved to Friday, April 18 at 9:45 AM