Week 1 Integrative Learning: Creating a Career Plan Video

Although I have been working professionally in the entertainment media industry for over 18 years, I can always continue to develop my career plan and keep growing in my industry. The purpose of this assignment is to constantly be open to career and networking opportunities even if I already have an established career.

One of the strategies I learned through this lecture is treating myself as a business. Most everyone is a freelancer these days and thinking of myself as a product is brilliant. Learning how to market myself and my skillset is key. In my career path, as a producer and actor, this rings true. Although I have an agent, my brand needs to constantly show my audience my worth. In the world of social media, I need to be conscious of what I post as I am representing not only my craft, but my personality and like-ability.

On this same note, letting my audience know who I am, my worth, and that I am available for work is crucial. As more casting directors or producers know my skill set and my work ethic, they are more likely to want to work with me. As I keep working on set and in my day job, the more people understand my worth, the more my network will be able to pitch me as an asset.

Monetizing my passion is something I've been lucky enough to have been doing for many years. I am an actor and have been working professionally in front of the camera and on stage for over 18 years. Although I have years of experience in this business, I continue to study and work on my craft in order to continue monetizing on this skill. I also have been lucky enough to work as a production manager in my day job. Although it is not my passion, it is related to my acting career and actually helps make me become a better actor. This makes my job much more enjoyable and let's me continue to pursue my freelance acting career.

Week 1: Uncover the Hidden Market

As a current media professional, I have tailored this assignment slightly to benefit my career goals. I have been a media professional for over 18 years - working as a producer, actor, and first assistant director in the film / television industry. I wanted to focus this more on companies that I could network with more to increase my knowledge and expand my network of colleagues.

Some of these companies are firms I have worked with as talent but would love to expand my network with them to learn more about producing. Two of those companies that I would really like to focus my attention on are Universal Creative and Disney Event Group.

For Universal Creative, I plan to reach out to Jack Somerville, their production manager. Although I have worked with him prior as talent, I would love to see if I can shadow him or invite him to dinner to discuss how productions come to Orlando and how they build their relationships with other production houses.

I would love to do the same with Disney Event Group. There are a group of producers that work there that have to not only produce events, but maintain the Disney brand. I would love to learn the process of producing events for one of the largest entertainment company in the world.

Target Audience List