Interview access and etiquette
by Samuel Smith
on
Jun 18, 2008 at 6:05:23 am
I'd appreciate any information about setting up an interview with a celebrity or public figure. I won't shill the name, but there's an online database of publicists, agents, and managers to contact for whichever celebrity you're looking for. Is this the best method to go with? And do you just float a letter to them and hope for the best?
In congress with that, would one just write a simple letter, much in the style of a request for an information interview with someone you are job shadowing? By that, I mean, the same format of the letter, along with a few key points that might make them want to accept an interview with you.
Would it be good to include any sort of demo presentation or a URL address for them to view some of your work? Or just include a resume?
Lastly, while we're at it, any other tips that come to mind in securing an interview and conducting it are greatly welcomed.
Re: Interview access and etiquette by Noah Kadner on Jun 18, 2008 at 7:04:55 am
Contact their publicist, which is often findable through Google or IMDBpro.com. That said- who you are or what interview outlet you represent will greatly influence the celeb's publicity folks in terms of setting it up or not. Never, ever pay for this information.
Re: Interview access and etiquette by Harry Pallenberg on Jun 18, 2008 at 6:59:40 pm
I would say contact their 'people', but also try to get directly to them. A of of the time the PR people are there to keep people like you away from 'big name'. Go through a friend of a friend, or maybe you already have a 'big name' on your side you knows someone who knows the person... somehow... are they on a commission, board, animal rights group... try to come at them from a non-Hollywood side.
I find phone calls are better than letters. Get them on the phone, let them (or PR person) hear your passion - sure you can follow up with a link to a reel or a website about your project - but that 1st call can be make or break.
A long time ago I carried copies of press kit for a doc I was doing and basically stalked Buck Henry - then I finally got him in a parking lot - begged for 60 seconds of time.... gave my pitch, handed him the info - and he said yes.
Thanks,
Harry
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Re: Interview access and etiquette by Noah Kadner on Jun 19, 2008 at 12:04:43 pm
Exactly true. The publicist is a much better person to contact than the agent or manager. Both of them get a commission off paid gigs so there's really nothing they're likely to do if they don't see big cash up front. The publicist on the other hand is just on a flat retainer typically so they're a least a little more likely to hook you up if it sounds legit and in their client's best pr interests.
Re: Interview access and etiquette by Samuel Smith on Jun 22, 2008 at 11:21:57 pm
Thanks for the input.
This is a bit unrelated, but if you're writing a celebrity via their manager/agent, etc. and address the letter to "Celebrity's Name" c/o "Agent's Name", does the agent open and read the letter, before giving it to the celebrity?
But what if the letter is written for the agent to read? Should the letter's address reference the celebrity, or save that for the body of the actual letter?
