Do You Have Clients Who Owe You Money???
I recently had to learn a very hard lesson. For the past year, I had a client who kept lagging behind in payment. There were invoices that were as much as a year old. Some invoices got paid, others lagged on and on. I always preach to people the importance of getting a confirmation agreement for each job. I also tell everyone that prepaid legal is good to have in case you need to have a lawyer to send over a letter for non-payment of services. But what happens when the client suddenly files for bankruptcy? Yes, you heard me right, bankruptcy!
For years I worked for a company named On The Scene Productions. For the longest time I got a lot of work from this company. From time to time they would be late paying me, but they always paid me one way or another. About a year ago, the company started falling behind by six months. In the beginning, I was able to have my prepaid legal attorney send over a nasty letter to them and I got paid right away. Although, my biggest mistake was to keep working for them even after they were late paying me. At the time, I just figured I would get my money eventually and getting paid late was better than not at all. I was so wrong. Last month, I got the phone call that On The Scene Productions filed for bankruptcy. I just felt sick to my stomach. They currently owe me $3500.00! What’s worse is that when a company files for bankruptcy, the employees are the last to get paid. Their debtors get paid first and if there is anything left over then the workers get paid. Unfortunately, I’ve been through this with companies in the past and I haven’t seen a dime of that money from those companies either. The likelihood I’ll see a cent from On The Scene Productions is very very slim. That means I got up at 3am to work them on many occasions for free.
As freelancers I think we hold extremely tight to our clients. We are always afraid to rock the boat. Too afraid to lose our clients at all costs. But now I have to ask myself,” was holding on to my client worth it?” Obviously not. I should have took them to court at the first signs of lagging payments. I also should have stopped working for them at that point as well. Now, I have had to learn the lesson the hard way. Never hold on to a client too tightly. If they are not paying you on time, take them to court. And if they stop calling you for that reason then it really is for the best. You should never keep a client who doesn’t pay you on time. If they do that, its clear they don’t respect you as a professional. No one needs a client that badly. Its better to spend time finding new clients rather that chasing payment. And believe me, their are plenty of other better production companies out there. You just have to take the time to find them.
To learn more about the business of the business visit our website at www.hmartistsnetwork.com.
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
www.hmartistsnetwork.com
www.mymakeupart.com
Do you wonder why people don’t take your job seriously?
I have had a lot of people complain that their friends and family members don’t take their career choice seriously. I guess when you think about it, telling someone you are a hair or makeup artist sounds like you a bunch of fluff or make believe. And in all honesty, a lot of people who hire us don’t really value what we do either. They have no idea how long it takes for us to do our jobs or how much our kits cost. Many people think of hiring a hair or makeup artist as an unnecessary expense. To make it worse, they call us the glam squad, the powder puff squad, vanities, or worse, fluff and puff. All of these terms just reinforce the idea that we are all just a bunch of airheads working a trivial profession. Although, I really don’t think it helps when act like a bunch of flakes. I have more clients complain that makeup/hair takes forever to invoice and then they expect immediate payment. I even have one client who is loyal to me because she has had too many other makeup artists not bother to show up for a live shoot. Many artists complain that they aren’t working but then don’t bother to even attend our networking events. I hear artists all the time say,”they just aren’t good at self-promotion”, but then they wonder why they are still working a day job.
Listening to these stories, it’s no wonder why the people who hire us don’t take us seriously. If you want respect to have to command it by being a business professional and not a flaky artist! If you want the producers, talent managers, and celebrity publicists to take your call then you must prove yourself to be someone of value to them. They only want to deal with people who have something to offer them or their clients. The producer and publicists are the networkers and hustlers of this town, and they only want to deal with people on their level. So if you want them to do business with you, rise to their level and learn to play the game. Don’t be unreliable or unprofessional. So, if you say you are going to call someone at a certain time, follow through with the call. If the invoice is due after a job, send it over immediately along with your W9 form. If you want to network with the pros, learn to give a little to get a little. People will be more open to do business with you if they feel you have something to ofter them. And the operative word in this sentence is doing business with you. Having someone hire you implies neediness. Doing business with someone implies a give and take relationship. When you approach your work with this mentality, then people will start to our profession with respect.
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
323 913 9375
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
How To Get More Hair & Makeup Jobs
So your a Hair/ Makeup Artist and you want to know how to make it as top celebrity artist. My advice is to start by getting organized. Before you can make it to the top you must have a clear vision for yourself. That means you must decide what you want type of a career you want to have. Do you want to work in film, maybe it’s weddings, or maybe you dream of being the next Kevin Aucoin. But how did Kevin Aucoin get to be the most sought after artist of his time? I can tell you one thing, it didn’t happen over night! The one thing I have learned from working in Hollywood is that success is a process or a journey.
When I graduated from Joe Blasco School of Makeup in 1997 I thought I success would come to me because I had training. Maybe it was the attitude that was taught to us in school, but they really enforced this idea of being better just because we went to their school. That might have been true when I was still working in Virginia because there wasn’t that much competition, and if there was competition, they certainly did not have formal training. So in that regard, I was different from everyone else. However, when I moved to Los Angeles in 2000, I learned very quickly that training was only the beginning. It took me a long time to understand that my training and experience was very minor in comparison to the people working here. I was no longer a big fish in a small pond. I was more like a speck on the map in my industry. I also learned that just because I wanted to work with celebrities or key my own commercials, it didn’t mean I was ready for it. In fact, at the time, I really had know idea how green I was!
Today, I mentor other artists. I have one artist that became frustrated when I looked at her book and told her it was a good start. It’s frustrating to her because she has been working for a year or more and it still isn’t going to attract a celebrity client base or a top agent. The reason for this is that it takes a very long time in this industry to build a celebrity clientele. It’s a process and it starts by having a clear vision of where you want to go with your career. Here a few tips:
1. Start by having a clear vision
2. You have to start asking yourself some questions: what do you want to be known for and who you want to know you? This will help you market and brand yourself
3. Build strong marketing materials such as a resume, portfolio, website, comp card, etc
4. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! Go to every networking event possible and collect business cards. Also, always ask for business cards from people you work with!
5. Follow up with people within an email including a sample of your best work along with your contact info. Tell them it was very nice to meet them and to keep you in mind for the future!
6. Remember networking is a two way street. You should always think of ways you can be of service to others. People will be more receptive to helping you if they feel like you are helping them
7. Follow up with the people you send your information to. The squeaky wheel gets the grease! People will remember you more if you continue to stay in front of them
8. Stand out by adding the finishing touches! When you get the job maybe you can bring a small lipstick or hair product to your client. It will leave more of an impression on your client!
9. Maintain relationships by doing lunch with people
10. Stay on top of your game! It never hurts to update or increase your skills. Be the best in your industry by practicing and learning new techniques. It’s all about who you know but at the end of the day you still need to bring it!
11. Be professional by being on time, invoicing right away, and by running your business like a business. People will take you more seriously if you behave like a business professional and not a flaky artist.
12. Never stop networking and advertising your services
If all this is overwhelming we can help by doing the marketing for you or providing you with one-on-one career coaching. You are only as strong as your marketing plan. You can contact us by calling 323 913 9375.
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
Hollywood Hair & Makeup Artists Give Back!
I’ve been working as a Makeup Artist for nearly fifteen years now, and most of what I do is pamper other people. I think it’s good karma to be of service to other people. I was just working with 70’s sensation,Yvonne Elliman over the weekend and she told me something that really resonated with me. I was asking her if she still kept in touch with her castmates from “Jesus Christ Superstar” and she said, “No, we all just seem to somehow go back to our own lives, but she read somewhere that Ben Vereen mentioned if he was ever stranded on an island somewhere, he would want it to be with her.” I said, “Wow, that’s a great testament to you and how you can touch someone’s life that much without realizing it.” The point is, Yvonne hasn’t really seen Ben Vereen that much over the past few years, but he still remembers her with warm regards. Yvonne didn’t even realize that she left that much of an impression on him, but she did touch his life.
You can make a difference in someone’s life with just a small gesture and this gesture can stay with a person for a lifetime. For this reason, The Hair & Makeup Network has teamed up with the United Breast Cancer Foundation to provide a day of pampering to low income women afflicted with breast cancer. Details are as follows:
Sunday October 25th 2009
Mothership Salon: 6111 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90048
12pm to 4:30pm – 50 women will be receiving haircuts, makeup, and massages
6:30pm to 9:30pm – Pink Carpet Cocktail Reception
Cocktails Provided by Pama Liqueur and Appetizers Provided by Trader Joes
Surprise Celebrity Guests are Expected to Attend
Tickets are $50 (1/2 of the proceeds go to the charity)
Silent Auction will be held. 100% of the silent auction proceeds benefit the foundation.
To RSVP or donate- call 323 913 9375
We will also be needing volunteers for the event!
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
Networking To Increase Your Business
Its been almost three two years since I started The Hair & Makeup Artist Network and it certainly has not been without its challenges. I think the most challenging part is that I have created something entirely new. When I say “new”, I means there isn’t anything out there quite like what we are offering. My vision is to start a network that offers one resource for all your freelance business needs. I envision a resource where there are networking events, information about what is happening in your area, marketing services, website design, business education, and business resources.
It’s hard being a freelance artist, and in many ways it can be very isolating. The problem is that artists aren’t business people, but the reality is that you are running a business. What’s even harder is trying to get artists to change the way they approach their craft. I have often heard artists complain that there isn’t any work or they feel that there isn’t any respect for the work they do. However, I have over and over again watched artists not show up for networking opportunities or behave in ways that aren’t professional. The reality is that no one is going to take you seriously if you don’t act like a business professional. You can’t sit back and wait for the phone to ring, you can’t rely completely on an agent to get you work, and you can’t make appointments with people then constantly reschedule and expect for someone to take you seriously. Working as a freelance artist is a business. If you want respect and if you want to work, you must learn how to run a business -period!
If you are not willing to self-promote then you need to chose another profession. Self-promotion is a very long term ongoing commitment. It’s not something you can do once or twice then quit once you have achieved your goal. It’s not something that you can expect to do one time and receive instant results from. You have to approach it like a business. Taco Bell has been a successful business for over 20 years yet they still continue to advertise. Why, they advertise so they can keep people coming back, and they want to attract new customers. They don’t put out one ad campaign and wait for people to come. It works they same way with getting work as a freelance artist. You have to keep advertising and networking. Networking is not something that necessarily generates instant results. It is a long term ongoing commitment to your business. You go to networking parties to meet people and build relationships. Relationships take time build. And just because the party you went to didn’t have Ron Howard begging for your card doesn’t mean it was a waist of time. You never know who knows who or where your next job will come from. Here are a few networking tips:
* Go to every networking party or dinner you can
* Pass out your card to everyone but more importantly get their business card
* Follow up with the people you have met right away and continue to stay in contact with them at least by email
* Don’t go to just one event and decide networking didn’t work for you
* It’s ok to spend money on networking – think of it as investment in your business
* Make sure you get a receipt for any thing purchased (food, drinks, networking admission) – It’s all tax deductible
We offer networking events every month. Next month we are co-sponsoring networking parties for both LA Femme Film Festival and Sreamfest LA. For more info visit: http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
Tales from Behind the Makeup Chair
When I was a young girl I dreamed of living in Hollywood. Like most people I grew up watching television shows with icon characters from shows like the Brady Bunch or The Cosby Show. Then I dreamed of working with movie stars or being one. Now I’m all grown up and somehow I actually found my way to Hollywood. I always find it strange when I’m working with one of these television icons. Even though I may be living the life I intended for myself, I find it strange when I’m in the same room with Marcia Brady or Rick Springfield. I mean, yes its what I dreampt about, but it still seems a little surreal to me. I grew up in Virginia where TV land was a distant world. I can’t help wonder what its like for the child star who doesn’t know anything different.
This business seems to give everyone working in it a strange version of reality. I’ve been working on this celebrity biography show for the past year call “Unscripted”. Currently the show only airs on the Vision Network in Canada, but I often find myself in a room full of former teen idols and television icons. It’s very weird, but I have to say I love every second of it. It’s good to know that anything is possible and if you work hard at it, you achieve any dream imaginable. I didn’t grow up in Hollywood with these people coming to family gatherings. I was a girl raised by a single parent. We didn’t have money or connections. I just picked up, moved, and made it happen. If I can do it then anyone can. Don’t wait for someone to give you your break. You make it happen.
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
Who Will Protect the Non-Union People?
Last week I had the joy of working for a Columbian Production Company. The project was an Infomercial and we all know that infomercials are usually low budget. However, this infomercial really brought low budget an all time low on production standards. First of all it was the most disorganized shoot I have ever been on. Nobody seemed to know what the infomercial was for (even the actors). Of course I asked before hand but their English was hard to understand and they gave vague descriptions of the product. I was told to get there by 6:30am and the producers didn’t bother to show up until 7:15. The actors were told they would be there for only a couple of hours but were kept there all day long. On the first day of shooting they ran out of food and water for us on the set. When I asked for them to please compensate me for my kit I was told, “It’s non-union.” But the worst came when I was not given a vegetarian option for lunch. All they had to serve was fried veal. There was nothing for me to eat. I actually had to send out my assistant to get me some food. Naturally I brought this to the attention of the producers asked the company to please provide me with a vegetarian option on Monday. They once again responded by saying, “This is non-union.” I said, “It doesn’t matter. I have a right to eat and I can’t leave set.” They actually asked me to not come back because they told me I was complaining about the food and the kit fee. These are standard things that are negotiated on a job, and the last time I checked it was the law to provide meal options that accommodate the entire crew. I was shocked. I’ve been working in this industry for fourteen years and I’ve never been asked to not finish the job! What is worse is that I was asked to not finish the job for asking for my basic necessities to be covered!
All of this brings up the question of who protects the non-union worker? Unions were formed to protect people from being taken advantage of by the employer, but you have to be in the union for them to protect you. And if it takes you years to get into the union who is going to protect you while you are working? The reality is that there is more non-union work then there is union work. So how to we protect ourselves from being taken advantage of by people like this Columbian production company?
First of all we must create a deal memo before we start any job. The only way to protect yourself is to get it in writing first. Then you have no know what the laws are governing your craft in your state. Most of all we must stick together. Join an association that will protect or at least support you. There is power in numbers. And when all else fails, there is always legal counseling. I’m a big fan of prepaid legal services. For as little as $16 a month you can have access to legal counsel. It’s always good to know what your rights and get advice when you feel your rights are being trampled on.
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com/prepaidlegal
http://www.mymakeupart.com
Why Are Good Job Postings For Makeup & Hair Hard To Find?
I talk to so many artists who are in the industry and they are always looking online for job postings. Most of them will tell you that they go onto Craigslist, Myspace, Facebook, and other sites, but they just can’t find posting for high paying work on these sites. In fact, in the beginning I used to go on these sites myself looking for work. I did actually get a couple of jobs that payed $300 for the day, but that was just extremely unusual.
The more I talk to people in this industry who hire makeup and hair professionals, such as producers, directors, publicists, and so on, the more I understand why good job postings are so hard to find. The main reason is that there is just so much at risk when it comes to entertainment industry jobs. You really have to stop and realize what is at stake for the person who is hiring you. For films, it has taken that filmmaker a lot of time, effort, and convincing to get people to give them the funding to finance their project to begin with. This means that when they start filming there just isn’t a whole lot of room for error. In commercials, the client is paying thousands (if not millions) of dollars to produce that one commercial. When celebrities are involved, that celebrity’s image is on the line.
Let’s face it, the job of a Hair or Makeup Artist is such a crucial part of the production. Your work is seen by everyone because is out there on the talent for the world to see, and if you mess up, it can ruin the entire project (and reshoots are very expensive). There is so much riding on every aspect of the production going smoothly. This might sound a bit over-dramatic, but careers are at stake and this industry moves at a fast pace. There is not time to interview thirty people for the job and hope it works out. That is why the person who hires you can’t just post a job and hire anyone. This is an extremely competitive industry. For every director, producer, and photographer out there, there are a thousand more waiting to take their place. One false move can ruin a career. For this reason, people want a referral and not a job posting. That is why agents and networking are king in the world of entertainment. You want a job in this industry, you have to network and self-promote. Period.
Of course, The Hair & Makeup Artist Network has job postings, but they are really few and far between. The majority of the work that comes to the members of our Network are through referrals or networking. Yes, people call us looking for a Hair or Makeup Artist, but they just seem to want the referral rather than blindly posting a job. That is why networking is soooo important.
If you are interested in setting up a networking event in your area contact us by visiting:
www.hmartistsnetwork.com
Michelle Lee
Make Maverick
www.hmartistsnetwork.com
www.mymakeupart.com
So What Is The Difference Between Marketing Yourself For Film or Print?
We recently held our “Ultimate Career Workshop” on Sunday, March 22nd here is Los Angeles. Our workshop had five different speakers, two of which were from local agencies. One agent represents Hair and Makeup Artists who work in film and television. The other agent represents artists who work in print and celebrity. Both had the same approach to contacting clients and following up, however the marketing tools they used were a bit different. When you are working in film and television it’s all about your resume. In fact, Dave Kensler from All Crew Agency says, “It’s not about what you can do, it’s about what you have already done.” “Hollywood is the big leagues,” says Kensler, “If you are working in Hollywood, you are in the top 1%!”
Each day both agents set out with a mission, and that is to get their artists hired. They both make phone calls and send out emails, but film and television executives want to see resumes and demo reels. In the print and celebrity world, it’s all about your book. These days the “book” is really just your website. So when an agent submits an artist for print and celebrity work, they are sending out either photos of the artist’s latest work or a link to their website. After that, it is all about the follow up. Both agents will check back with the prospective client in a couple of days (depending on the eagerness of the client). After that they will continue to follow up on a monthly basis or until they are just told to quit calling.
The bottom line is that it’s all a numbers game. The more people you contact, the higher the likelihood you will get booked for a gig. This industry is all about patience and persistence, so don’ t give up. It’s the determined artist that will rise to the top!
For more information on how to market yourself as a Hair or Makeup Artist visit:
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com/client
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
Does The Economy Have Your Career In A Rut?
I have to be honest, the state of the economy has everyone running scared. No one wants to spend any money. Commercial production is down which means less television production due to lack of sponsors, but I believe we must plow ahead. When times are tough you have to work harder to get the gigs. This means now is the time to get your name out there and network, network, network. Go to as many networking functions you can and hand out your card to everyone you meet. Ask for people’s business cards when you give them yours and follow up with them in a couple of days to say, “it was nice to meet you and keep me in mind.” Make yourself spend a couple of hours a day making phone calls to production companies and follow up with an email of your latest work. Remember, the squeaky wheel get the grease. Stay away from negative people who only talk about how bleak things are. You have to stay positive and motivated. Here are a few networking organizations to check out:
1. The Hair & Makeup Artist Network
2. Women In Film
3. Film Independent
4. Association of Bridal Consultants
5. America Association of Producers
Don’ t forget all the film festivals coming into your town. These are great places to meet people who will hire you as well!
For more on this topic or to attend our networking events visit:
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
Michelle Lee
Makeup Maverick
http://www.hmartistsnetwork.com
http://www.mymakeupart.com
