November Media & Showbiz Industry Career Networking Events

American Film Institute extravaganza going on now through November 12 in Hollywood has nightly red carpet gala premieres and showcases from the film masters. The Seventh Annual Latin Grammy Awards goes live November 2 in New York, and preceding the Awards show telecast, Univision will present exclusive "Noche de Estrellas" (Night of the Stars) coverage of the celebrity arrivals. Hollywood based URNetwork Alliance at http://www.urnetworkalliance.com/3.html continues its weekly networking and support group meetings featuring November 2: Hal Landon, actor and coach at South Coast Rep Theater; November 6: Jody Hart Casting Director; agent tba from ID Talent in Brentwood; November 13: Casting Director tba. They discuss new projects, share leads and motivate serious actors, writers, and filmmakers. Meetings happen in various locations are situated in and around Brentwood in West Los Angeles Contact: urnetworkalliance@urnetworkalliance.com for more info. Former actress and theater director Christina Hamlett is a writer and script consultant. Author Kerry Madden has written for children and adults, including her award winning children’s book "Gentle's Holler." Together they speak at November 4 program of the Alameda Writer's Group Meeting in Glendale.

Legendary BMI Songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant ("Wake Up, Little Susie") are among inaugural inductees into the Music City Walk of Fame, happening in a November 5 ceremony in Nashville. The Santa Monica College Academy of Entertainment & Technology presents guest speaker Joel Stein, commentator, TV writer and LA Times columnist on November 6. The Asia Pacific Entertainment and Media Summit will be an outlet for entertainment news from Asia, bringing together worldwide production and distribution decision makers for two days, November 6 & 7, meeting in Los Angeles. The 73rd Annual MIFED, focused on the international multimedia market, overlaps this year with IBTS - Crossmedia Marketplace when it runs from November 7-11 in Piazzale Giulio Cesare in Milan. The Third Annual New York Comedy Festival features performers Queen Latifah, Denis Leary and Howie Mandel, and sports a new format, "Hot Seat Live," a Q&A session based on the widely read column in Time Out New York, when it runs November 7-12 in New York City. Rock musician and actress Courtney Love appears at a signing for her new book "Dirty Blonde" baring intimate details of her life, in Pasadena on November 8. An 80th birthday celebration and tribute to crooner Tony Bennett, hosted in part by George Clooney, Billy Crystal, Quincy Jones and others, is on November 9 in Hollywood. ASCAP's Rhythm and Soul Team presents a panel, free to the public, on creating hit songs November 9 in Hollywood. BET presents its Hip-Hop Awards November 12, hosted by comedian Katt Williams with Snoop Dog, Ludacris, Young Jeezy and more, and taped at Atlanta's Fox Theatre to air on BET November 15.

Strategies for engaging audiences across multiple screens - traditional tv, cable, computers and laptops, mobile phones, video iPod - are addressed at the 18th Annual EPM Marketing Conference, opening November 13 & 14 in Universal City. The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard put together the fifth annual conference addressing the role of music in film and television, November 14 & 15, in Beverly Hills. G2E: The Global Gaming Expo is set for November 14-16 in Las Vegas and will feature a Diversity Exhibitor Program which promotes diversity across all aspects of the gaming industry. The World Music Awards, the annual show business awards - this year held in London November 15 - that selects winners based on the strength of their worldwide record sales, will be hosted by Lindsay Lohan and an appearance by Michael Jackson. Black tie festivities at the Multicultural Motion Picture Association 14th Annual Diversity Awards, in Los Angeles, November 19, honor the creative accomplishments and contributions to diversity in film and television. The two day Film Finance and Distribution Summit: Where Wall Street Meets Tinseltown, opening November 27 in Los Angeles, is being produced and hosted by the Strategic Research Institute. The Sixth Annual Whistler Film Festival, in Whistler, BC, features over 80 films besides offering "cool parties" and networking both on and off the ski slopes, taking place November 30 through December 3.

The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Many of the events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Experience the newly relaunched message board on The Actor's Checklist which now permits user profiles and private messaging which you can find at http://actorschecklist.com/phpBB2/.

December Media & Showbiz Industry Career Networking Events

A Florida Entertainment Summit addressing matters on filmmaking, acting, modeling and music, covered in a format that includes screenings, awards, parties and fashion shows, takes place December 1-3 in Miami. At the HDFEST 2006 World Tour running December 1-3 in Burbank a sequence of HD animation will demonstrate the level of output possible for filmmakers and animators working with low budgets. Executive Story Editor for ICM, Christopher Lockhart will hear story pitches from members of the audience and offer feedback when the Alameda Writer's Group holds it's monthly session December 2 in Glendale. The process of crafting a proposal, breaking down a budget, and coming up with the cash will be covered in a December 2 session held by Downtown Community TV in New York. The NYC Fundraiser For Women In Africa will help sponsor and support a 100 mile trek through Kenya to bring awareness to women's literacy, HIV/AIDS, and economic development opportunities for girls in Africa, and will be held December 3 in New York City's Tribeca district. The Office of Film & Entertainment and the Florida Film & Entertainment Advisory Council will convene in a quarterly meeting, open to the public, December 4 in Orlando. A "Marketing to Men Executive Summit" will have innovative marketing leaders share their strategies on Marketing to Men during in-depth presentations for one day, December 5, in Las Vegas.

A "How To Get Your Film Into Festivals" will show you how to improve your chances of getting your film accepted and how to raise your profile if your film gets in, in a December 6 session in New York. Women In Film puts on their annual holiday celebration for their members (and men too) and will collect new unwrapped toys for Katrina victims at the December 7 event in Beverly Hills. The National 2006 On-Camera Commercial Forum enables you to participate in three on-camera seminars led by industry leaders in New York on December 7. Hollywood networking support group Ur Network Alliance - www.urnetworkalliance.com - implores you to bring your A-game and winning personality (reel and headshot if you have that too) to its networking and feedback roundtables on December 7, 13 & 14 when they feature casting director Paul Bennett, producer/comedian Joey Medina, a talent agent yet to be announced and other industry professionals, when they hold sessions throughout the Brentwood and West Hollywood area (email: urnetworkalliance@urnetworkalliance.com). The United Film and Television Artists Orlando is the lead collaborator for this year's "Jingle Mingle," a December 8 Orlando celebration, providing an opportunity for anyone to mix and mingle with other professionals in the film and television industry and to have fun celebrating the holiday season.

On December 9 in Charlotte during a BMI Presents "A Conversation With Donald Lawrence," a limited number of pre-selected gospel, r&b, and pop categories to be critiqued by the panelists at the end of the session. The New York Media Information Exchange Group is a holiday breakfast networking event given on December 14 featuring guest speaker Fred Seibert who is credited with developing the MTV brand back in 1981. SAG Low Budget Agreements Workshops will be concurrently held in New York and Los Angeles December 14 at 6 pm. The New York Minute Film Festival Online Film Festival offers both established and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to create a film and have it showcased around the world in its showcase presentation December 20. African Diaspora Cine Club presents free screenings and discussion of films from Africa and the African Diaspora in a monthly series (this one on December 29) in New York. Happy Holidays to all!

The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Many of the events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Stay current with the latest posts of news and information to the message board on The Actor's Checklist which now provides RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0 customized newsfeeds which you can find at http://actorschecklist.com/phpBB2/ or http://actorschecklist.com/showbiznews.rss.

January Media & Showbiz Industry Career Networking Events

Women In Film and Video - Washington, DC Chapter - present a panel session on how volunteer opportunities in their organization lead to effective networking strategies leading to career success, happening on January 3. The Office of Film and Entertainment, Film Florida, Inc, and the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council Committees convene in a January 3 meeting via telephone conference call to discuss proposals for production funds available for films and television shows shot in Florida. At this year's Palm Springs International Film Festival and Market, Cate Blanchett and Philip Glass will receive Honors, and Jennifer Hudson will receive Breakthrough Performance Award, among the many tributes and activities slated when the festival runs, January 4-15. The Chicago City Limits Comedy "First Sundays" Film Festival is a showcase on January 7 for the creators of short comedy films harnessed onto the tradition of Chicago City Limits' 20 plus years in comedic storytelling and where an audience member is randomly picked to star in a film to be shown the following month at First Sundays. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is on hand for the Industry Insider series at the International CES Digital Hollywood and Game Power, happening in Las Vegas, January 8-11.

The Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco, January 8-12, provides its attendees with a survey of the latest applications in film, photography, and other tools for Apple's Macintosh computer. The 34th International Association for Jazz Education Conference, taking place this year in New York City, runs January 10-13, and will have performance by over 500 groups and individual musicians. At the Berlin and Beyond 2007 Film Festival, taking place January 11-17 in San Francisco, independent dramatic, and documentary features from Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 16mm and 35mm are screened among the offerings. BMI hosts this year's Trailblazers of Gospel Music Luncheon - a breakout event of the Annual Stellar Awards - on January 12 in Nashville. Bill Moyers, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jane Fonda are just some of the featured attendees for the National Conference for Media Reform focused on strategies for better media policy, happening January 12-14 in Memphis. Florida Media Market presents a seven week project development workshop on January 13 covering from idea to polishing, packaging, budgeting, marketing, and pitching your project, and happening in the Miami Beach area.

The Golden Globe Awards, honoring achievements in film and television, are slated for January 15 in Los Angeles. The NATPE Conference and Exhibition, focused on the television industry, runs for four days starting January 15 in Las Vegas. Well regarded Sundance Film Festival, founded by Robert Redford in 1981, kicks off January 18 in Park City. MIDEM, the annual international music industry affair addressing all things musical, gets going January 21-25 in Cannes. At the annual "Country In The Rockies" extravaganza, you can enjoy both the best in skiing and country music performance, from January 26-30, in Steamboat Springs. IPTV WorldForum Latinamerica happening in Rio de Janeiro January 30-31 examines Latin America's growth potential for digital TV delivered over DSL broadband. Making Your Documentary Matter 2007, a series of panel discussions on the latest in documentary outreach, runs January 31 to February 1 in Washington, DC. Happy New Year to all!

The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Many of the events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Stay current with the latest posts of news and information posted by industry professionals to the message board on The Actor's Checklist which now provides RSS 0.91, RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0 customized newsfeeds which you can find at http://actorschecklist.com/phpBB2/ or http://actorschecklist.com/showbiznews.rss.

May Media and Entertainment Industry Career Networking Events

ASCAP invites you to attend the seventh annual Silver Lake Film Festival running through May 12. The festival, happening in Los Angeles, is an independent-alternative film and arts festival and ASCAP is helping to expand the SLFF Music Fest programming with live musical performances by various artists and bands. The regionally inclined Vancouver International Game Summit is tapping into a growing pool of game creators residing on the West Coast of Canada and the United States. The Summit will showcase designers and leaders from the digital entertainment community, highlighting latest trends in game development and publishing, and offer perspectives on industry growth. Author/Screenwriter Diana Wagman and Author Dara Marks discuss the process of integrating character and depth into story for both books and film during a May 5 meeting of the Alameda Writers Group in Glendale. Diana Wagman has three published novels and a screenplay, Delivering Milo, produced in 1999, and Dara Marks' book, Inside Story, demonstrates how to identify your story’s thematic intention. IFP Chicago conducts a May 5 session titled "Selling Your Film" in which it will review workshops on trailers and materials, developing a website and finding publicists and producer’s reps, as well as offer a chance to pitch your film to industry pros. A Florida Media Market Project-A-Thon Workshop opening May 5 in Miami covers budgeting, negotiating techniques, how to prepare for a pitch session, how to structure various deals, and the legal obstacles filmmakers should avoid, when it runs for selected sessions till June 16.

Since 2002 Los Angeles based Instant Films has conducted a filmmaking process where movies are made in 48 hours. In early May Instant Films is looking for actors, writers and directors for its next production  that will be screened May 6 in front of a live audience at LA Center Studios when screenings are followed by a party and awards. Advertising's top awards show, the Clio Advertising Festival and Awards, presenting the best and most-celebrated names in advertising and design will be hosted in South Beach, May 9-12, offering a mix of conferences, parties, and networking. The mission of the International Emerging Talent Film Festival is to discover and promote emerging cinema talent from around the world, conducting its event May 12-15 out of Monte Carlo's Eastern "Larvotto" Beach Quarter. Streaming Media East covers both the business of video on the Net and the technology of streaming, downloading, IPTV and mobile video delivery, with everything happening in New York, on May 15 & 16. BMI Film/TV Awards is an Invitation-only event honoring the songwriters and composers of the past year’s top film, TV and cable music programs. BMI composer George S. Clinton will receive the prestigious Richard Kirk Award for outstanding career achievement at the May 16 Beverly Hills event. The seventh annual Florida Music Festival welcomes the music, film and interactive gaming industry and artistic community to Downtown Orlando for more than 40 screenings, 250 music showcases, and three full days of industry panels. The Indie Film Jam event of Florida Music Festival is an international film competition that screens music inspired documentaries, shorts and music videos.

This year's Cannes International Film Festival gets underway May 16 running till May 27. Each year, about 15 international short films - as exemplified by selection "God's Own Devil," directed by Alka C. Mehta ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnIiCejksn8 ) - compete for the festival's Short Film Palme d'Or. Alternatively, the independently run Cannes Short Film Corner screens international short films outside the official competition. And the festival's Producers Network offers a host of original initiatives aimed at producers. These and more form a small sampling of the many substantial offerings that happen in the renowned area of Cannes. On May 17 in New York City, Jazz Foundation of America presents its sixth annual "A Great Night In Harlem" a pre-concert gala dinner and private gala dinner for corporate sponsors, patrons and celebrities, that will be attended by Bill Cosby, Danny Glover, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Junior Mance, Ron Carter, Gary Bartz, Odetta among others. A 2007 ASCAP Foundation Disney Musical Theatre Workshop, happening in New York, will be conducted May 22 to 24 by Oscar and Grammy-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, leading sessions in which workshop participants will have the opportunity to present selections from their original works in progress for professional critique. The global debate on the future of copyright will be played out in Brussels, May 30 & 31, at the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers Copyright Summit hosting the likes of policy-makers from copyright societies around the world and anyone else involved with intellectual property. The May 31 opening of the Palm Springs Film Noir Festival fields filmmaker discussions with the likes of Richard Anderson, Carroll Baker, Rhonda Fleming, Kathleen Hughes, Stanley Rubin, John Saxon and others in nightly discussions following screenings. Activities conclude with a wrap party June 3.

The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Many of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are now available at various sites around the Web like YouTube and the Apple iTunes store podcast category, as well as on The Actor's Checklist at http://actorschecklist.com/loudblog/. This month on video you will see  trailers and video clips of Italian film, "The Role Player" ( www.myspace.com/theroleplayeronmyspace; www.theroleplayer.it/ ), opening a new way to movie production; music, and music oriented film, from the Florida Music Festival & Conference ( www.floridamusicfestival.com; www.myspace.com/floridamusicfestival ) opening May 17; alternative punk-rock band from the U.K., "Tripped and Falling" ( www.myspace.com/trippedandfalling; www.trippedandfalling.com ); French actor and music producer Vince Bosco ( www.myspace.com/vincebosco; www.myspace.com/otissprods ); German-based musical performer, Lando van Herzog ( www.lando-van-herzog.blogspot.com ), with his voice, violin, biceps and pecs, and a hint of hip-hop; one of the shorts selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival this May, "God's Own Devil" ( www.youtube.com/alkaCM; http://audience.withoutabox.com/festivals/event_item.php?id=6385 ) a film by Alka Mehta loosely based on a true-life bombing in Mumbai in 1992.

Advice for Young Career Seekers: How to Network With Family and Friends

Ever seriously considered talking to friends and relatives about career matters? Believe it or not, it can be one of the first big career moves you make. You'll most likely gain some great insights and maybe even an opportunity or two – try it out.

Granted, networking with your nearest and dearest may feel uncomfortable at first. But since you don't yet have a professional network, you almost have to start with people in your immediate circle. Actually, this is a great opportunity for them to start seeing you as more than just a kid out of college, but someone serious about their future goals.

You may feel a bit funny about approaching your uncle Bob in a professional and serious manner. But believe it or not, he can be one of the best people to give you the inside scoop on your chosen field... and he'll likely be flattered that you asked for his advice.

Okay, so now you're probably wondering, how do I kick this networking thing into gear? Here are few tips to ease you into the practice:

Take the first step.

If you have a former employer from a college job, then definitely contact them and make sure you get letters of recommendation. Next, start thinking of who you can approach - and ask your parents for ideas. They know more people than you think and may even have some connections in the industry you’re interested in. Family and friends are usually happy to support you so they're a safer place to get this process going.

Don't be afraid to make the cold call.

Sure you may not know your second cousin well, but people love to talk about themselves. They also usually love to help young people get a leg up. Start with an email introduction if possible, so you're not putting them on the spot on the phone. Ask them for a good time to talk... and be sure to find out how much time they can give you so you're respectful of that.

Be persistent in searching for names.

Brainstorm everyone you know. Keep your eyes and ears open for potential career networking opportunities... on email, at the next family gathering, or social event you attend and so on. If one idea doesn't pan out well or someone doesn't respond, don't take it personally. Sometimes people get caught up in the stress of everyday life, and they simply forget to get back to you. If that happens, follow up at least once to be sure you don't miss a good opportunity. If someone isn't open to talking with you, they're probably not a good fit for you anyway. Whatever you do, know that it will happen for you at the right place and time. So don't stagnate - move on and keep going.

Don’t be afraid to ask.

There's no need to be shy about asking for information or help. If the person you're planning to speak with enjoys what they do and are kind-hearted, they'll be happy to give advice and recommendations. Many jobs are landed by following up on a referral, so pursue these personal contacts with commitment. Be persistent - make it a point to chat with people about your career plans.

Prepare questions in advance.

Be curious; show genuine interest in the career paths that friends and family members have followed. If you don't understand something, know that this is okay - and that the best way to become informed is to listen, think, and ask more questions. You're not expected to know everything; after all, you're new to this game. People will understand that and be eager to share their knowledge with you.

Be clear about what you're looking for or wanting from them.

Let people know that you're seeking information or ideas - and be specific so they know what to give you. If you want to find out about a certain opportunity or maybe even land an "informational interview" with them or a fellow company member, just come right out and make this known. Sometimes it can be a challenge to get family members or friends to see you in this new and professional light. This is why you have to be even more up-front about what you'd like to happen in your career and how they might be able to help get you started toward that goal.

Leave no stone unturned.

Even if talking to a certain person seems like a stretch, try it anyway. You never know who they will know and can connect you to. If they don't know anyone, they'll tell you that, so you can move on. I suggest casting a wide net. It will help you uncover any available resource.

Holidays, family reunions and summer barbecues all present a great opportunity to connect with the older generation who just might be seasoned professionals in your field. Before your next family gathering, do your homework. Ask your parents what their brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles do for a living. Pose the same question to your best friends. When you get to the party, be prepared to ask questions of those who've "been there and done that" in your industry... and get ready to make some career connections while learning something new.

NOTE: Feel free to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info below).

About the Author:
Discover How to Identify Your Ideal Career and Make it Happen

Want free tips, tools and expert advice on finding a career you're passionate about? Visit certified Career Coach Hallie Crawford, and sign up for Hallie's monthly career newsletter, Creating Your Own Path, right now. Bookmark her career blog for recommendations on resume writers, online career tests and more career resources.

Career Networking Tips for Beginners: How to Make the Most of Your Career Networking Opportunities

Are you just out of college, or have you been working for a little while but haven't quite found your career niche yet? If so, then you're probably no stranger to the Career Fairs or other networking events that everyone always seems to be talking up. Are they worth it? Should you keep at it? What should you do at these events to help make a stronger impression? Read on for helpful advice from someone who's been there, done that...

Career Networking Tips for Beginners

1) Get clear on what you're looking for. What kind of job or opportunity do you want? Keep it short and sweet so you can communicate it easily. Practice that as your "elevator speech" for meeting new potential employers or future colleagues.

2) Tell everyone you're looking. This includes friends, family, fellow students – even professors. You never know who might know someone in the field you're interested in. Keep your resume updated and your business card handy if you have one, so that when an opportunity arises you can easily pass this information along.

3) Don't be shy - ask for the referral. People are usually happy to help - and the worst they can say is no. Remember... nothing ventured, nothing gained. Ask for that letter of recommendation or testimonial. Have a list of names handy to write in the "referrals" spot of your job applications - and be sure to keep their phone numbers and email addresses up to date and on file.

4) Follow up. If someone refers you to someone who lands you paid work, a temp gig or especially a full-time job, don't forget to thank the referrer with a hand-written note of appreciation. Keep them in mind as someone whom you may want to do something nice for in the future.

5) Most importantly, be yourself. You want a job that suits your style, personality, and unique skill set... right? The best way to find one is to just put it out there and see what comes back.

About the Author:
Discover How to Identify Your Ideal Career and Make it Happen

Want free tips, tools and expert advice on finding a career you're passionate about? Visit certified Career Coach Hallie Crawford, and sign up for Hallie's monthly career newsletter, Creating Your Own Path, right now. Bookmark her career blog for recommendations on resume writers, online career tests and more career resources.

December's Media and Entertainment Industry Career Networking Events

In Beverly Hills on December 4, TelevisionWeek's Annual Syndication Roundtable features top executives from the syndication marketplace in an important panel discussion on the state of the business. Special guests are Dr. Phil McGraw and his son, Jay, executive producers of "The Doctors". Digital Video Expo West and DV Film Fest runs from December 4-6 in Los Angeles, and offers a line-up of educational forums, including Apple and Avid certification training, sessions covering digital video technology from A to Z, and specialized tracks featuring industry hot topics. Venture Summit West is a two-day gathering that highlights the significant economic, political and technology trends impacting the global growth investor, all happening in Half Moon Bay. The Summit gets underway with a Pre-Event Party in The Observatory on December 5. The Barbados Film Market - Film Finance Conference is organized by the Barbados International Film Festival (BIFF), with goals to set and maintain the lead as a major showcase for the exhibition of Latin America, Caribbean and Worldwide independent cinema.

The Department of Media Studies and Film of the New School in New York presents the 11th annual graduate student showcase this December 7. "Mixed Messages", an evening of student works selected by a panel of jurors, and emphasizing the Media Studies program's commitment to theory and practice encompassing all types of media. Reception follows. Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza is a Los Angeles event from December 7-9, featuring the creative work of Latina film directors from all across the country showing their creative work in front and behind the lens. Web Video Summit 2007 happening in New York, December 10-11, brings together the new pioneers of an expanding industry, discussing and demonstrating what you need to know about producing Internet video. David Poltrack of CBS Television and Garrick Utley of The Levin Institute preside over "FutureThink: The Media & Entertainment Industry 2008 and Beyond," taking place in New York on December 11. Women In Film and Television hold their Sixth Annual Jingle Mingle, with holiday networking and fun for Central Florida's media and entertainment professionals, December 12 in Maitland.

The Actors' Fund of America presents a December 13 gala benefit auction in New York, "Defining Elegance," showcasing glamorous evening gowns designed by award-winning costume designers using Brunschwig & Fis fabrics, all to benefit The Actors Fund. The International Press Academy puts on their annual event, the 12th Annual Satellite Awards, December 16 in Beverly Hills, and Academy Award winning actress Kathy Bates will be recognized for her 35-year career in entertainment with the Mary Pickford Award. Aspen Film Academy Award Screenings offers a sneak peek at some of the films everyone will be talking about come the Academy Awards® when it runs December 21 through January 2 in Aspen. At a New Year's Eve Holiday Bash in Port St. Lucie, aside from traditional holiday party festivities of champagne, hors'dourves, and party hats, there will be an announcement of filmmakers chosen to be a part of the Treasure Coast International Film Festival opening February 1-3 in 2008. Florida ART Film Fest is now accepting submissions for approaching film festival. Contact them for more info on submissions: floridaartfilmfest AT yahoo.com.

The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Most of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at most popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Bit Torrent, as well as on The Actor's Checklist video blog is a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download from. This month on video you will see trailers and video clips of Lando Van Herzog: Music and Muscle... The Voice and The Violin, making his return appearance to our video report with the Cologne Cathedral Boys' Choir; World Wide Cinema and Vince Bosco present new French film and Cannes candidate "LYA" featuring music from new comers to the Electro scene, Starshiphustlers; Chris Mitchell's DVD bound comedy "Life's A Joke," the story of a man who's not getting any... jokes, or the other thing; the music video by Michael Sweet, and the film trailer for holiday release "Noëlle" about a business minded Catholic priest who arrives in a tiny fishing village the week before Christmas to shut down a dying parish, opening December 7 at a movie theater near you. The Actor's Checklist now lets you check the latest musical artists song releases on Apple's iTunes, updated on an hourly basis, at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/resources/itunes.php.

Tips for Parents: How to Help Your Grad Shine at Career Fairs and Networking Events

Guiding your young adult in the business world takes know-how. Help your young career seeker stay on top of their game by offering these tips to help them shine at their next career fair or in-person networking event:

Fine-tune their resume.

1. Encourage your son or daughter to clearly list out their career objective. Every detail they list on their resume should somehow speak to that objective, from education to computer skills to career history.
2. They should list their education as the last item on the resume. Education is less important to prospective employers than relevant experience.
3. Have your son or daughter carefully proofread their resume. A poorly written resume gives a bad impression - that’s the bottom line.
4. Make sure your young adult prints their resume on resume-quality, plain paper. No graphics or leopard print paper!
5. Have them take a folder full of their finalized resumes to pass out at in-person networking events.

Rehearse their one-liners.

1. Have your young adult capture what they want to achieve in their career and what their skills are in a 1 minute synopsis. They should be able to relay this message quickly and comfortably to anyone who asks at a moment’s notice.
2. Let your son or daughter practice their ‘canned’ speech on you until it rolls off their tongue without giving it a second thought.

Perfect their interpersonal skills.

1. Encourage your son or daughter to work on his or her professional persona. Making a good first impression is critical in landing a job they love, so make sure they work on:
a. Offering a firm, professional handshake
b. Looking people in the eye during conversations
c. Speaking up with confidence
d. Smiling
e. Dressing appropriately

2. Support your adult child in networking so that they get their name out there, in the circles that will most likely land them a job they love.

Advice for Parents: Online Networking Tips for Your Young Career Seeker

Searching for a job can be an intimidating process! It can be especially so for that young adult straddling the in-between place of college and the ‘real-world.’ And if your young adult is particularly shy or reserved, that can pile on the stress to an already daunting process. However, today’s reticent job seekers have an advantage from when you first entered the job market… online networking.

The web is a perfect place for your son or daughter to meet professionals searching for the right brand of talent. To help your adult child leverage their online networking effort, offer these suggestions:

Participate regularly.

Have your son or daughter log on often and continuously to get their name out there and become familiar with the hot topics in their field. In addition, while your young adult may be somewhat new to the industry, offering help to others can be a big boost to their career. Encourage them to share what they know. It can also help land them a mentor in the field who can provide contacts and professional experience - which can be extremely helpful in their career search.

Be willing to learn new things - from both beginners and seasoned professionals.

As a young adult, your son or daughter is probably more computer savvy than some of the seasoned professionals who entered the job market without today’s new technological skills. Your son or daughter may, therefore, gravitate toward aligning themselves online with other like-minded or similarly-aged contacts. But encourage them to branch out, and learn from the older set that may have a better grasp on how to manage the career game.

Use blogging to become better acquainted with their industry.

Parents are sometimes skeptical of encouraging young adults to become too immersed in various computer practices, particularly if they themselves are not familiar with the techniques. But as blogging continues to grow in credibility and popularity, it is a valuable source of getting your son or daughter’s name out there in the right circles. Particularly if your son or daughter likes to write, you can encourage them to start their own blog as a means of making a name for themselves. Or encourage them to become active participants in other blogs; even large companies today have functional regularly updated blogs. Consider blogging similar to passing out business cards; yet in a more meaningful and intellectually intimate way. Blogging also allows your young adult to learn about their field even after college and to keep them abreast of new ideas and developments in their industry.

Networking to Find a Job

The best and most common way to find out about open positions is through networking. Networking is all about talking to people. As you talk to people your network begins to grow. Once you have built that network it will grow and grow as you communicate with more people. That network will be a valuable resource to gain advice, information and other support to help you be successful professionally.

Networking is not just about calling everyone you know both personally and professionally and asking if they know of any open job positions. An effective networker will take a much different approach.

First they will start by listing as many names of contacts they have that they can possibly think of. This list can consist of both personal and professional contacts. The very next step is to put together some type of presentation. It is important to remember at this stage it is not about just calling up and asking if they know of anyone hiring. The initial goal is to be seeking career and industry advice. The reason you are doing this is because you will not come off as a desperate job seeker but someone doing research. If you just ask about open positions they will quickly say "no" and that will be the end of it. What you want to do is build an active network that will be keeping you in mind when something does cross their path. Here is a better way to approach it a good suggestion for your networking presentation.

"Hi Bob, Jim Jones at ABC Company suggested that I give you a call. Jim and I have worked together over the years and he mentioned you work in the software industry and are the VP of Product Development. I am a programmer and feel you could probably give me some valuable career advice. I would really appreciate some of your time. Would you be available for a cup of coffee next week?"

You did not ask for a job but advice. There is a big difference. People are always willing to help someone that has made them feel good about themselves and who appears to be genuinely appreciative of their time. This approach can be utilized in many ways. You can ask for job hunting advice (resume, cover letter, etc...), industry advice, contacts, industry information and much more. As these people are giving you advice they are learning more and more about your experience and qualifications. Making them a very effective tool for you to identify open positions.

By having these conversations you now have people that are familiar with you keeping you in mind for positions. Also always remember to send a thank you letter to these people. It will go a very long way.

Are You Ready to Build Your Executive Network?

Sometimes the most difficult part of the job search is finding the right people to help you out along the way. As an executive, having help - also known as an executive network – is very often vital to getting your next big opportunity.

But how do you go about building your executive network? And after it’s been built, how do you nurture it so that it stays intact even while you’re employed? There is an art to getting this done, so let’s explore building your keeping your executive network.

The Importance of an Executive Network
As an executive, you probably already have a good idea of just how powerful an executive network is to your career. Even if you’ve only worked for one company and worked your way up the ranks there, you had to build a network of important contacts to get on boards and committees and even help the company grow.

Now as an executive job seeker, you need a network that will help you find your next job. And even if your next job isn’t found via networking, it’s good to always keep professional contacts in your corner.

Getting Started
Probably the easiest way to build your executive network is to first start with the people you know. Whether you’re connecting with your former co-workers, clients, friends or family members, it’s great to build a strong network with people you trust to offer guidance in your career.

But of course, this is the easy part. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other great contacts out there and it’s up to you to try to connect with as many of them as possible. So how can you get this done?

You can try social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, which all provide opportunities to connect with other professionals in one location. Also, you can try starting your own blog on a topic related to your field. By doing this, you will draw an audience of professionals that want to share their expertise as they’re acquiring yours. Of course, networking in person is also crucial and shouldn’t be overlooked in the process.

Nurturing Your Network
So now that you’ve built this incredible executive network, how do you nurture it? Well this is actually pretty simple. Basically, be a good networker yourself. This includes being a good listener, being upbeat and friendly and being genuine.

Also, it’s important to stay in touch with your network, even when you think you don’t need them anymore. Take them out to lunch here and there and check up on them and their family. Any efforts you make to let them know you’re not simply using them will be more than appreciated. And finally, don’t forget to thank them after receiving their help. Letting them know they’re appreciated definitely goes a long way.

Of course, your job search doesn’t only involve your network. You need a strong resume, an elevator speech (for unexpected networking moments), visibility (through the social networking, blogging, speeches/presentations and social events) and the confidence that you can get this done.

The good news is that following this formula gets executives jobs every day. And sooner than later, it could get you your next career-defining job too.

Unique Ways for Executives to Build Their Networks

At the executive level, you are always burdened with the task of trying to get more people to know you so that one day they might be able to help you. In other words, you’re faced with the job of having to build your executive network. Nothing wrong with this in theory, but sometimes the job can get a bit tedious, especially when you feel that you’ve used up all of your options.

Well now’s the time to get some fresh ideas to help you continue to build that network. So let’s look at some unique ways of getting this done.

Create Your Own Networking Group
Often times, we think that the only real way to grow our network is to join an existing networking group. But we forget that we could also build our own.

One great benefit of starting your own group is that you get to have control over when it gets together and what activities you will take part in. Also, it can center more specifically around your interests, thus guaranteeing you will feel passionate about it.

If you want to start your own group, you could create a strictly-online environment to include people from out of town, only work with your offline contacts, or mix it up a bit. By taking this route, you give yourself the opportunity to not only create more networking opportunities for yourself, but many others.

Bond with Online Contacts Offline
Sometimes people don’t realize that they’re online networking contacts are real people, especially if they meet them online. But they are very real and able to make a significant difference in your career if you let them. A good way to make the best use of your online contacts is to make them a part of your offline networking circle. This way, you have a face to place with the name and they do as well.

So how can you get this done if you are living in different cities? You could consider having a nice lunch meeting if you take a trip out to their city. If this is not likely to happen, you could even find out what activities they take part in outside of work to see where you have common ground. If you both love to ski, for instance, maybe you could schedule yearly ski trips on the same weekend and at the same resort to make sure you connect.

Create Exciting Business Cards
One way to get noticed is to create exciting business cards - some that tell a little bit more of your story with a unique flair. This means, instead of creating the standard business card with bland text on a white background, consider trying different colors that reflect your personality and brand. You could also include your picture on the card so people won’t forget your face after they meet you. And consider having yours cut into a unique shape - one that prompts people to ask questions yet still is able to fit neatly into a wallet or business card rolodex.

When building your executive network, don’t simply rely on the "tried and true" to get the best results. If you step out of your box and try unique options, you could see your network grow faster than ever.