Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

[Questionarre]

Louisiana is becoming quite busy with the filming industry here. I see the potential to make a decent living marketing mysellf to the celebs and film execs. How do I go about getting my name out to them  Any suggestions ??  ??? Thanks, Scott

 

[jo jo]

I have often wondered how the heck you would go about that sort of thing.  I haven't found the answer yet but someone must know.  There must be a way to contact the publicist or something.  I'm not sure where you would start.  Is there a way to find out in advance what movie shoot is going to take place and when.  I guess you have to start with the basics.  If you ever look at the credits of Jim Carey's movies, he always has a massage therapist listed.  

 

[ILLMW]

It's not too hard to get into this sort of thing. آ But, don't expect to work on tons of stars either. آ Mostly you'll end up with the film crew, the set designers, etc.Best way to get started is to contact your local Film Production Guide.Hope that helps.Uhm, may I also add, as a therapist who has worked on some big named individuals, musicians and politicians over the years, as well as some heads of countries, etc. آ It really isn't quite as appealing as you may think. آ You have to remember when working on these people, you must treat them with regard. آ They aren't on your table to please the eye or to sign autographs. آ They are there to get treatment. آ It is a huge dis-service, in my personal opinion, to treat them any other way than I would treat a regular client. آ What I am saying is you can't go chasing these people around with a pad of paper and a camera.There are certain instances where you may act a bit different than normal, but those would be "lingo-wise" and doubtfully found in the film industry. آ  "Your Highness", "Sir",  and "Emir" would be some examples. Film-wise, mainly you just have to mind your p's & q's, and really be "on-call". آ I'd say be prepared to go at the drop of a hat if you are "on-set", and be flexible with your hours if need be at your facility you work out of.Just a few additional thoughts.

 

[Malec Archen]

I think I read somewhere that there was some sort of an organization of therapists who cater to the celebs......maybe travel to film sets?  I can't remember exactly.That doesn't necessarily mean that they ALL receive massages from therapists in this network.  There's a woman here in NJ who massages a lot of people in the music industry.  She started out as a teen groupie and gave massages to get backseforum.xxxe or something.  Can't remember exactly.  She's a pretty big name now with the rock stars.  She's been at it a long time now, and I hope that she's actually had some formal training by now.

 

[stingray]

Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

SHEESH... I never said anything about wanting an autograph or picture. I have been in a few films myself as an extra and I have had a character role for the History Channel. I was just wondering how to get past the gate keepers and let the right people know I am available. I just thought I would be a new market for me.

 

[Answers]

[quote author=smedine link=board=bus;num=1101844623;start=0#6 date=12/01/04 at 19:49:10]SHEESH... I never said anything about wanting an autograph or picture.[/quote]If you don't want to give that impression, you might consider removing your photos with actors with their autographs on your web site promoting your business.  Maybe you should include a photos page on a new personal website and take it off the "business" web site?

 

[racism is unbecoming]

Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

If you read... it says nice people I have met.. It was fun meeting them and they wanted the pics as much as I did ... Matter of fact Billy Bob and Patricia have pics of us together.

 

[kitncaboodle]

Business web sites that have a page of happy family snaps, the family pets, birthday parties, grandma's 80th birthday snaps, people I have met that happen to be famous, people I met when I went to the beach, baby phots etc don't come across as very professional organisations.   JMHO

 

[Badajoz]

Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

It was fun meeting them and they wanted the pics as much as I did ...

OK, you opend this can of worms, and not I.  So, I think I can safely respond to this comment without getting my toes hacked off.As a massage therapist, we have a job to do.  I personally don't think asking for photos and autographs is part of it.  It may have "been fun" meeting them, but I would hate to see this thread cause other therapists to think it really is ok and/or professional to do this sort of thing when treating these people.As far as "they wanted the pics as much as I did", that could be so.  I know sometimes we garner friendships along the way with people we never thought we would.  But I doubt it.Then there is the whole possibility that treating these sorts of people can lead to an offer of independent work for an individual "living the lifestyle" so to say.  As the massage therapist, who may be put in a situation like this, you will have to ask yourself things like: "do I want to fly all over the place at this persons beck and call", "do I want to travel with this person constantly", and even "how long will that really last and what do I plan to do when that offer dissolves"?  Powerful people can do powerful things.  And, not always for one's betterment in the longrun.  What I am trying to convey is that these people are living in a different world.  Everyone has to decide on their own, how they want to live.  Yet, I digress.  Now, you come along and tell me, that you think, with all the people chasing them around, all the pics they take in a day with "other people", all the on time and little off time they have, they really want to take another. Maybe. You may be a nice guy, you may have the celeb bug.  To each their own.  As you can see, dealing with celebs is not something I enjoy to much.  I even have a list of the types I won't work on unless I am tremendously needed.  All that said, it must be done in professionalism (when acting as a therapist) and your presentation of thoughts here, along with the website with the celeb pics just leaves a metallic taste in my mouth.So, please feel free to tell me your opinion, I'd be interested in hearing more.I know that I have taken this thread into a fully different direction than originally planned, but I also feel it is important for therapists to discuss these matters and even the branches that grow from it.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

Thanks for the input... I am a nice person and most people enjoy meeting me. The website is business but it is also PERSONAL. But I see where some people may have a problem understanding so I have removed the picture page. I have however seen many professional business owners in consulting or other small businesses link thier personal sites to them. It is where I got the idea.Thank you

 

[LouAnn]

Seeing as how you have a step into the industry yourself, do you know any make-up artists, set designers or others who are working in the industry personally that can direct you towards someone who can get you further in the door?  I have a friend who is a make-up artist who does a lot of film work in my area and I've considered seeing if she has an "in" to get me in the door.  However, I'm not certain I want to jump into this type of work.I do agree that to work in the celeb industry it is imperative to understand their need for privacy and "time-off" from the public.  Their world is quite different from the average "Joe's or Jane's".  Scott, I'm not trying to through a monkey wrench in here but I'm wondering if the celebs you've posted pix of on your website have authorized their use in this manner?  With all the hype about privacy (HIPPA) are you certain they want everyone knowing they use your services?  One other thought that comes to mind regarding the professional look of websites using photos of family, friends, pets, celebs and what not's -- what type of impression are you sending to your clients who "aren't" pictured?  

 

[Hayleigh]

Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

Scott said the pictures were of interestiing people he has met. He did not say they were clients of his. I personally wouldn't link a personal page to a professional page but to each his own. I thihk you made a good move Scott by taking the link off. I liked your website and the picture of just you on the home page is very nice.

 

[fatsausage]

[quote author=smedine link=board=bus;num=1101844623;start=0#11 date=12/02/04 at 06:34:24]Thanks for the input... I am a nice person and most people enjoy meeting me. The website is business but it is also PERSONAL. But I see where some people may have a problem understanding so I have removed the picture page. [/quote]I think that is very sensible, it's also good to know you are willing to see how someone else might react to it.  I think the problem people have understanding is not so much that you had personal and business on the one web site but why mix professional and personal web sites? [quote author=smedine link=board=bus;num=1101844623;start=0#11 date=12/02/04 at 06:34:24]I have however seen many professional business owners in consulting or other small businesses link their personal sites to them. It is where I got the idea.[/quote]Just because someone else does it doesn't mean it is a good idea.  Didn't you immediately identify such businesses as small businesses, possible hobby business, possible not as serious about it as a "big business"?2 other comments:1/ might be worth changing the last update date displayed on your web site - it says Oct 2002 - a few people probably see that date and think the page has been static for 2 years and the business is probably not active anymore.2/ another point to consider if you do want to present a more professional image on the web site, don't use yahoo geocities for your web hosting - hosting is so cheap these days (and tax deductible).  You're also reducing your exposure in search engine results using geocites. Sometimes you gotta spend a bit to make a bit.  There are a lot of other threads about hosting, including less obvious than geocities free hosting.

 

[dividedselfhood]

Sure Id be happy to  ...Send me the money through my pay pal account and I will have pics taken and get another web host...

 

[Ginger Billy]

I agree constructive critism helps...some of this just comes across as a bit rude and presumptuous.If I had the money it would have been done a long time ago. آ Besides MY QUESTION WAS .."How do I go about getting my name out to them  Any suggestions ??  "

 

[princess(:]

you can very very get basic hosting from about $3 per MONTH.  You can easily find basic hosting plus an email address for $5 per MONTH - less than the cost of a decent cup of coffee each week.  Is that really out of your reach? It must be extremely difficult to manage supplies/transport/laundry with such a tight budget.  The only additional cost is registering your domain name which you can do for less than $10.  All of this can be found in the earlier threads about web hosting that I mentioned.If you want to do massage professionally treat it as a business. It sounded like you wanted to treat it as a business when you asked for advise on how to reach your target market.I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to with "Send me the money through my pay pal account and I will have pics taken" - I don't think anyone has asked you to take better pictures, you've even been complimented on the photo on the main page of the web site. If you think we're coming across rude and presumptuous maybe working in such a flighty industry area as the entertainment industry isn't for you.  Compared to the extremes you would find in the entertainment industry, we've welcomed you with open arms and given you cookies and milk  A lot of theatrical/music/tv/movie people get very protective about "their" area, and are very careful about who they will introduce to who in case the person turns out to be a liability and it is thrown back at them.  It is very closed.  If anything you have to be even more professional than if you were dealing with a multi-million dollar company - any wiff of fandom, and doors will close.  You have already had exposure to the industry and it doesn't appear you've picked up a whole lot of contacts, otherwise why would you ask how to on here?  I am sure you weren't looking for contacts at that time, or some other reason, but according to your web site you've been doing this for more than 2 years..... [quote author=smedine link=board=bus;num=1101844623;start=0#18 date=12/02/04 at 20:15:44]Besides MY QUESTION WAS .."How do I go about getting my name out to them  Any suggestions ??  "[/quote]This is such a case of it's not what you know but who you know that counts.  Present yourself in an extremely professional manner - letters, documents, business cards, web site, appearance, answering the phone. You can't have any wiff of being a fan, they can smell it on you and you won't even get a door opened to you let alone your foot in the door.Get to know drivers from the local limo company - who is usually the first person someone speaks to when they get out of the airport? Find out who you know that has contact with people that might get you in the door.  Get them to drop your name/business cards - Make-up artists, publicists, stylists.  Get trade papers and know about what is planned before anyone arrives, contact the companies in LA or wherever.  If you're coming from a background of working with motor mechanics you will have a very steep learning curve. Good luck

 

[Mrs.C]

Marketing to the Film Industry in Louisiana

MelbThank you so much for your input...Please look me up online sometimes...HUGS and RUBS,Scott :-*