Break into Hollywood with your smash-hit movie script

As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Ability is nothing without opportunity.” For the thousands of would-be novelists, screenwriters, songwriters, and other creative types yet to be discovered, truer words were never spoken.

As daunting as writing a novel, screenplay, or an album full of songs can be, climbing that mountain is nothing compared to getting that material noticed. Perhaps no one understands that difficulty more than entertainment consultant Mike Bogart, who has spent years helping the next generation of entertainers get their first break. Founder of The Bogart Group, a company devoted to helping creative types of all shapes and sizes develop their content for television, film, Internet, and mobile device platforms, Bogart offers the following tips to anyone hoping to break into the entertainment industry.

• Get organized: Whether you’re an actor, singer, or writer, organization is paramount to getting recognized. Actors should organize headshots, resume and cover letter in a manner similar to those looking for work in the private sector. For singer/songwriters or prospective novelists, Bogart emphasizes the importance of creating a business model for your content that details precisely how you envision that content being born into the world.

“You are a brand, so brand yourself,” Bogart says. “Create a business plan for you and your idea.”

• Get it in writing: The entertainment industry is littered with tales of newcomers to the industry being taken advantage of and, in some instances, robbed of their creative ideas. Such stories only heighten the importance of getting a confidentiality agreement in writing before sending your works out into the world.

• Use the resources at your disposal: While the words “overnight success” are often thrown about Hollywood, few and far between are the entertainers who actually experienced overnight success. More typical is the entertainer who works for years and years without ever being noticed. Such a reality only emphasizes the importance of using whatever resources you have at your disposal.

• Keep working: Bogart notes that entertainers are only as good as their last project. While a successful career in the entertainment business is rewarding, it can also be fleeting, and those looking for longevity need to keep developing ideas and working at their craft even after they’ve established themselves.

Bogart also notes that maintaining a workmanlike approach does not just involve a continuing devotion to creating content. Networking is equally as important when it comes to keeping your name in the loop and your projects going forward. Network with as many professionals as possible by attending film festivals, trade shows, award dinners, etc.

• Hire legal representation: Once you’ve begun to establish yourself, hire an experienced entertainment lawyer to negotiate terms for your payment and any potential future royalties.

“We can recommend some highly regarded entertainment law firms,” says Bogart. “But in the end, you will need to feel comfortable with who you choose to work with.”