Jessica Sitomer has worked in the entertainment industry for twenty years as a writer, an independent producer, a development associate, a director, and an actress. She has produced three television shows, had her writing produced by an Emmy award-winning producer, and while working in development had the pleasure of being a part of Crazy in Alabama, Antonio Banderas' directorial debut (and yes he's as charming in real life as he is on screen). Simultaneously, for seventeen of those years, Jessica has been a career coach for Entertainment Industry Professionals. Within that period, she served for seven years as the in-house career coach for the International Cinematographers Guild. There she coached over 1000 people one-on-one, created over 40 seminar topics, ran over 30 mastermind groups, and developed a successful mentor program. Jessica consults all classifications in the industry, above and below the line with her proven system she's developed. And the results speak for themselves; the credits of almost every network TV show or studio movie produced has someone with whom Jessica has worked. As an international speaker, Jessica give keynotes, college talks, and trainings to entertainment industry organizations. Some of her speaking clients include: AFI, USC Film School, Locals 700, 600, 669, 781, The DGC, AFTRA, Film Training Manitoba, The Actors Network, The Art of Acting Studio, and the SOC (she also hosted their 2013 Lifetime Achievement Awards where she got to improv with Colin Farrell and honor many of the men and women she has worked with). Want to find Jessica? She's a regular on BuZZ radio, a teacher for Stage 32, and a contributor to Cynopisis.com Advantage, Actors Ink, and author of two books including And… Action! Powerful, Proven, and Proactive Strategies to Achieve Success in the Entertainment Industry. Full Bio »
Age is just a number...even in Hollywood! Take charge of the career in entertainment you've always wanted with guidance from an acclaimed producer, writer, and entertainment career coach with over 20 years in show business!
PLUS! Jessica will provide you with an exclusive template to use you plan your career in entertainment!
One of the great myths about the entertainment industry is that the older you are, the harder it is to break in. The truth of the matter is, there are Baby Boomers working in the industry in all capacities. In fact, with the abundance of film, television and digital content being created, the opportunities for Baby Boomers has never been greater. Whether you're writing or filming content, looking to produce or work on the business side of the industry, or have an interest in being an actor, crew member, or other on set talent or staff, it's time to get moving and let yourself be seen and heard!
Ageism is a word that gets thrown around often when people talk about the entertainment industry. But at the end of the day, those working in the industry want to hire talented, dependable, and dedicated people to help them elevate their personal and professional goals. So much of getting hired has less to do with your age and how you present and handle yourself.
Here to teach all you Baby Boomers how to create a prosperous career in the entertainment industry is Jessica Sitomer, who has worked in the entertainment industry for over twenty years as a writer, an independent producer, a development associate, a director, and an actress. She's produced three television shows, had her writing produced by an Emmy award winning producer, and while working in development had the pleasure of being a part of Crazy in Alabama, Antonio Banderas' directorial debut (and yes, Jessica says, he's as charming in real life as he is on screen). Simultaneously, for seventeen of those years Jessica has been a career coach for Entertainment Industry Professionals. Within that period, she served for seven years as the in-house career coach for the International Cinematographers Guild. There she coached over 1000 people one-on-one, created over 40 seminar topics, ran over 30 mastermind groups, and developed a successful mentor program. No one is better suited to discuss breaking into the industry as a Baby Boomer than Jessica.
Jessica will teach all Baby Boomers how to build a relevant career that squashes myths and stereotypes in the industry. She will identify and explain key strategies to circumvent the occasional ageism that historically has turned older generations off to pursuing their entertainment career. You will receive “ageless” tips for making a first impression either in person, by phone or via email. Jessica will also provide marketing tips on how Boomers can market online (social media and websites) to stay current. Further she will show you the advantages you have being a boomer as well as 3 strategies for using them!
Jessica will help you identify your strengths and assets to understand what makes YOU stand out so you can parlay those traits into more work.
PLUS! Jessica will provide you with a downloadable template to simplify your plan of action that you can use for your path to success!
Age does NOT need to be a factor in pursuing a career in film, television and digital media. Jessica will give you the tools, the motivation, the strategies, and the confidence to build the career you want!
PRAISE FOR JESICA'S TEACHINGS:
"Jesica is an inspirational ball of fire. I came in with doubts and fears and left ready to knock down the intimidating gates of the industry. Can I get an Amen? Thank you Jessica!" -- Roberta K.
"Coming from a sales background, there are 2 things I know you need to be successful: Information and confidence. This webinar provided so much information, and it was delivered in such a clear and motivating way, I left with all the confidence in the world." -- Frank I.
Jessica Sitomer
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**Learn the art of TV joke writing from long time TV comedy writer Kirill Baru and participate in an actual episode punch up room, working to improve scenes from a notable TV comedy.** Jokes don’t just come out of nowhere, and their success is completely reliant on the medium. Things that are funny in conversation or in front of an audience might not be funny on a television show. This is why being “naturally funny” just isn’t enough to make a funny series with great jokes. It takes an understanding of the medium and insight into the types of jokes that work on television. It also usually takes a team of people in a punch up room setting, utilizing multiple perspectives and senses of humor to arrive at the best joke for each situation. Understanding how to find the best jokes in an episode script and learning how to operate successfully in a punch up room setting will help make your own comedy pilot funnier and can give you the tools to be a more desirable member of any TV comedy writers room. Kirill Baru is a sitcom writer and executive producer who has staffed on and sold a variety of live-action and animated comedy shows like Freeform’s BABY DADDY and the critically acclaimed animated show DAN VS. on the HUB. He’s also written and produced several comedies in the kids space, from Disney’s SYDNEY TO THE MAX to Cartoon Network’s MAD: THE ANIMATED SERIES. When Kirill isn’t staffing on shows, he’s developing projects with networks such as Disney and Netflix. He attributes his career to writing comedy that finds a way to have a lot of edge without ever losing any of its heart. Kirill is very familiar with punching up TV scripts, finding ways to make them funnier and finding success in a TV punch up room. In this special extended workshop, Kirill will teach you how to craft effective jokes for any TV comedy. He’ll break down where good jokes come from and the elements needed to make a joke work. Kirill will also lay out the main types of TV jokes you can draw from and walk you through important comedy terminology that’s used in every writers’ room and punch up room. He’ll also go through how to make jokes work with an eye towards scene construction and explain what makes a great punch up room for any TV comedy. Kirill will then lead a TV comedy punch up room, similar to how real TV comedies run them. Everyone who signs up will be able to participate in this room and work with the group to add jokes, fill in pitches, and create alt docs for two scenes of an episode of an actual notable TV comedy. Kirill will provide feedback and analysis or all of the joke pitches. If you’re interested in breaking into TV comedy, it’s so important that you know how to craft great jokes in this specific medium. This workshop is the perfect way to help you get there. Praise for Kirill's Previous Workshop "The workshop was awesome! Going through this workshop and seeing the end result produced by our team of writers (classmates), not only shed light into how the sausage is made, but also showed me that this is something I can actually do. Well worth the investment!" -Kane B. "Kirill's workshop was a great experience. He's a natural teacher, professional, insightful, and encouraging. It was not only educational but practical, allowing the attendees to punch up an actual script as if in the writer's room, followed by him, putting on his showrunner hat and reviewing what had been created by the group. I would highly recommend anyone interested in working as a professional writer, with dreams of being in the writer's room to attend one of his classes." -Dave W. "This was the best online class tv writing class I’ve ever taken. There is only so much the brain can grasp and retain in a lecture format. Kirill did an amazing job structuring the class and providing an in the moment experience — the best way to learn. Thank you." -Barbara G.
Getting a job in Hollywood can seem hard...but it doesn’t have to be. If you feel like every job application you send in is a shot in the dark, you may want to rethink your process. Luckily, there are many tangible strategies that can make the job search more efficient. Ultimately, the key is to find a way to stand out in the pack. And we’re here to help you do just that. During this 90 minute session, you’ll learn how to build a robust network, job search tactics that will get your resume into the right hands, how to craft effective resumes and cover letters, and tips to help you ace any job interview. Whether you’re just starting out or are hoping to transition into a new position that will move you closer to your goals, this course is for you. We are professional resume writers, dedicated to helping Hollywood hopefuls find their dream jobs. But unlike most professional resume writers, we are not recruiters or HR executives. Instead, we have actually worked in and hired for entry-level positions across Hollywood. After conducting hundreds of interviews and weeding through even more resumes over the years, we've learned that many qualified candidates simply don't know how to pitch themselves for the Hollywood jobs they want. And, in an industry where most jobs are filled through internal referrals, it’s crucial to impress not only the recruiters, but those in the actual departments that are hiring -- and we know what they’re looking for because we’ve worked in those departments ourselves. We’re excited teach you the proven networking strategies, resume and cover letter writing techniques, and and interview skills that we have used to succeed in our own careers and watched countless others use to succeed in theirs.
Learn directly from Jessica Sitomer, a Producer, Writer and Entertertainmant Industry Coach! Millions of people dream of moving to Los Angeles (or a new production city), and every year thousands do... and every year thousands go home. Why? Because, they had a dream but they didn't have a plan. Moving to Los Angeles (or a new production city) is challenging when you are in the entertainment industry, for many reasons. Learn why in this webinar, so you don't make the BIG mistakes that so many others do. There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to move to Los Angeles, and after coaching people who followed my system and coaching people who didn't, the results and timeframes are staggeringly different. In this webinar, I will discuss the challenges of getting work, growing your contacts, and making money and how to overcome them. Having helped many people make the move from small cities or other countries, I've developed a very specific pre-move strategy and arrival plan. Whether you’re planning a move or recently moved to LA (or another production city) this is the webinar for you. PRAISE FOR JESSICA'S TEACHINGS: Meeting with Jessica helped me to gain a new perspective on the whole entertainment business and to learn how to have more control over options for employment. She emphasized creating possibilities through meeting many, many people and developing relationships with them. Her methods of tracking what actions I took whether it was phone calls, meetings, or interviews were valuable tools in assessing my progress and feeling more in control of accomplishing my goals. Bonnie Blake Jessica is top-notch business coach. Her approach is simple, common sense and downright effective. It works! People won't hire you until they 'know you, like you and trust you'. I learned this from her right out of the gates! Building relationships through seeking mentors is one of the quickest ways to obtain that trust. Jessica is the best in the business to teach you this skill. I am very grateful for her work! Paul Lange Coaching with Jessica, I have created relationships with people that I had only dreamed of. I have some amazing relationships today because of the work she showed me. I have more confidence. I have been hired on: The Next Action Star reality show and the movie that followed, I worked with an A-List DP because of a relationship I created, and many more too numerous to count. Even my passive income went to well over 6 figures. Avail yourself to seeing Jessica and what she can offer to you to make you change, move, or create something new in your life whether that is more work in your category or doing something entirely different! Ed Gutentag - DP, Camera Operator I have been working with Jessica Sitomer as a member of the Greenlight Mentor Elite program for one year. Implementing the the tools I've learned from Jessica to successfully build relationships and navigate the business aspects of the industry, in one single year I have exceeded every goal I set at a faster rate than I could have ever imagined. Michele K Short - Unit Still Photographer, New Orleans, LA As a direct or indirect result of working with Jessica I've done work on CSI: NY, several television pilots, MADMEN, and quite a few movies and television shows. Most recently I've just completed a season of CANE for CBS starring Jimmy Smits. I can't say enough about Jessica's coaching program. It's one of the best things I've had happen to me professionally. Brian Pitts - Camera Operator
You have goals, but how much of your life is getting in your way of achieving them? For writers, directors, producers, and other artists, motivation often must come from a very vulnerable place, and that doesn't happen easily. Let someone with over 100 scripts and productions under their belt show you how to get out of your way make your goals happen. Are procrastination and blocks halting your creative work? Do you believe that you have to suffer to produce great art? How many days do you go to be disappointed that you didn't write a single page? Is a fear of failure holding you back? Your art requires an act of courage, and it starts with one step. Justin Rossbacher is a writer-director-producer who's worked on over 100 on-screen projects and won over 140 awards across 20 years. He has worked with countless artists in the entertainment field to support their passions by providing structure, community, and accountability. Justin has continuously generated great, award-winning work by keeping distractions, procrastination, and fear out of his path of producing fantastic results. So many self-help or motivational books and podcasts are from entrepreneurs or sales experts. How is that going to help you prep for your film or finish your screenplay? You need advice from a creative, just like you. Justin believes the world is a genuinely better place when you commit to doing the work you often don't make time for. Whether writing a screenplay, directing that film, or just getting organized, you have a unique contribution to this world, and Justin will help you make it a reality. During this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you will be able to ask Justin questions about your unique situation and dilemmas to create actionable steps you can implement immediately. You will also have the tools to: Reconnect with your goals Prioritize time for yourself and essential steps Justin's "time boxing" technique to get more done and save time Find a schedule that works for YOU Hold yourself accountable Know where to get support and create community After viewing, you'll have access to this information on-demand to revisit and inspire yourself if procrastination or other blocks get in your way again. So what's holding you back today? Why not let Justin know... PRAISE FOR JUSTIN'S TEACHINGS: "Motivated Mornings completely held me together in 2020 and shut out the noise to keep my projects moving in a time when so much of the world was at a standstill." - Brian W. "These were all fabulous tips on moving forward. The way Justin laid them out and how they built on each other was really nice. It left me feeling motivated and wanting to incorporate these into my daily routine." - Lisa L.
Learn from a manager whose clients have worked on shows like SHAMELESS, GAME OF THRONES, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, MAD MEN, Netflix's THE WITCHER and many more! No matter how great your script or story is, it’s not going to become a reality unless you’re able to pitch it effectively to the buyers and people who can help you get it made. Yet before you can even pitch it, you have to get in the room in the first place, and find someone willing to hear what you have to say. Getting that meeting is a skill in and of itself, and you’re going to need more than a good script and a good pitch to get the ball rolling. The good news is in this ever-evolving marketplace, there are myriad opportunities to get your project in front of interested people. The better you understand the industry and the world of pitch meetings, the better your pitch will work for you. Pitching is a form of sales. Whether you are selling your script, your ideas, or yourself, it is critical to understand your audience -- who they are, how they do business, and how they will evaluate your project. The more we can analyze who we are pitching to and how they are defining opportunity and success, the better equipped we will be to get a YES, and conversely, evaluate whether the individual or company we are pitching to is well suited for us. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you will delve into how you can make this happen. You'll start by learning directly from Jay Glazer who is a manager/producer at ROAR that represents creatives in both the talent and literary fields. His clients have appeared in Emmy-winning SHAMELESS, GAME OF THRONES, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, MAD MEN, Netflix's THE WITCHER and many more. Prior to joining ROAR, Jay worked for Brillstein Entertainment Partners and The Gersh Agency. Jay has found success in his roles by understanding how to secure important pitch meetings for himself and his clients, and he’s ready to share what he knows exclusively with the Stage 32 community. Jay will give you the knowledge and confidence to land the pitch meeting you’ve been working towards and nail it. He'll even offer examples of both email and phone call approaches you can use. "Jay was thorough, thoughtful and truthful while also being personable. He was so well prepared with his presentation and had concrete examples to provide that I can implement immediately."-Margaret M.
Netflix and Stage 32 have partnered on an exclusive global education series in an effort to democratize the worldwide entertainment industry. Together, over the course of 5 webcasts Stage 32's world class educators will bring their knowledge of what it takes to write, develop and produce today's television for the Stage 32 and Netflix creator community. These global webcasts have been seen by hundreds of thousands of creatives worldwide with a 100% satisfaction rate! In our fifth webinar in this exclusive "Creating Television Content for a Global Marketplace" series, we are going to give you the ins and outs on how you can effectively write drama scripts for streaming television. We are in the Great Content Gold Rush of drama television Over 550 original shows aired in 2021 alone and that number is expected to almost double in 2022. Streamers such as Netflix have committed to spending $19 billion in original content this year. The rush for dramatic television shows is on. Are you ready for it? With the success of shows such as Lupin, Squid Game and Bridgerton there is no doubt that streamers are on the hunt for dramatic global stories. These shows drop us into worlds that are new, foreign and exciting for viewers around the globe to watch, yet they all have universal themes we can relate to. The secret to this success is a solid understanding of how to write effective dramatic television...and be able to sustain it for seasons to come. Stage 32 and Netflix are going to teach you how. To help you understand the nuances of drama television is Stage 32 Educator Leila Cohan who is an Emmy-nominated television and feature writer, currently serving as Co-Executive Producer on Netflix’s THE PERFECT COUPLE. Previously, she’s written for SPECIAL (WB/Netflix), BRIDGERTON (Shondaland/Netflix), THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (Paramount/BET Plus), SANTA CLARITA DIET (Netflix), TELENOVELA (NBC), and AWKWARD (MTV). She’s developed pilots for Paramount, Hello Sunshine, The CW, YouTube Red, and the last days of ABC Family, as well as features for Lionsgate and Picture Start. In an exciting FREE webcast Leila will go into more detail on choosing a drama series concept, core elements of your drama pilot, planning your drama series for season one and beyond, plus she'll go over an exercise to turn an idea into a pilot and a series so you can get the practice of what it's like breaking drama television. You do not want to miss this! To see the full webinar overview, see below. Some of the case studies Leila is going to go over in the webinar are: BREAKING BAD LUPIN SCANDAL KILLING EVE YELLOWJACKETS MAD MEN ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK BRIDGERTON THE WIRE Note: You will receive the Zoom link to login by the morning of the webinar. If you are not yet a member of the Stage 32 community, we encourage you to join the community today at www.stage32.com, it is FREE! You will instantly connect with over 800,000 creatives and professionals in the entertainment industry from all over the world who use Stage 32 to network, find work, learn and develop their projects. YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO.