Tanya Kersey | Hollywood Career Strategist | Hollywood Career Coach | Entertainment Industry Consultant | Hollywood Career Resources

Do you own a pro­duc­tion com­pany?  If the answer is yes, let me ask you, what does that really mean?

Here’s the prob­lem I have with folks throw­ing around “my pro­duc­tion com­pany yada yada yada” like its some rite of pas­sage.  A pro­duc­tion com­pany is noth­ing more than a piece of paper.  Albeit, an expen­sive piece of paper if its an LLC and you’re pay­ing state tax fees ($800/year in Cal­i­for­nia).  Nowa­days, every­one talks about their pro­duc­tion com­pany, but the real focus should be on YOU.  You are the actor, writer, direc­tor or pro­ducer.  YOU have to cre­ate a brand iden­tity for YOU.

How often do you hear Spike Lee or Judd Apa­tow talk­ing about their pro­duc­tion com­pany?  Very rarely!  Why?  Because they are mar­ket­ing and sell­ing them­selves, their brand, not a piece of paper.  It’s all about them as a writer, direc­tor or pro­ducer.  Their com­pa­nies are sec­ondary.

But, amongst the rank and file of indus­try begin­ners and up-and-comers, the pro­duc­tion com­pany talk is never-ending.  I can’t tell you how many peo­ple tell me they have a pro­duc­tion com­pany and yet they don’t say a word to sell them­selves.  Keep in mind, once you men­tion your “pro­duc­tion com­pany,” the next obvi­ous ques­tion is what have you pro­duced.  If its not a major fea­ture film, TV series or some­thing like that, what does hav­ing a pro­duc­tion com­pany actu­ally mean?  What are you mar­ket­ing?  What’s the point?

Inces­sant talk about your “pro­duc­tion com­pany” is like a red flag to acqui­si­tions, devel­op­ment, dis­tri­b­u­tion and finance exec­u­tives.  It screams “begin­ner,” “novice.” The real pros focus on sell­ing their tal­ents, them­selves.

Finally, here’s a tip:  On your busi­ness cards, mar­ket you, not your com­pany.  Too many peeps have their pro­duc­tion com­pany names in big bold let­ters and their name is sec­ondary.

Peo­ple don’t hire, refer, rec­om­mend com­pa­nies, they hire, refer and rec­om­mend tal­ented peo­ple.  Keep that in mind!

Ok, that’s my two cents for the day.

P.S.  There are a lot of things you may be doing that are actu­ally work against you.  Sign up for a one-on-one webcam/phone coach­ing ses­sion with me at http://www.tanyakersey.com/coaching and let’s make sure you’re do all you can do to move your career for­ward.

P.S.S.  Don’t for­get about my Amer­i­can Film Mar­ket prep pro­gram which starts next week.  There are only 6 spots avail­able.  For more info: afm-program@tanyakersey.com.