FAQs

You know you want to do this. But you also know… You have a LOT to learn about the Entertainment Industry. Here are the answers to some questions we hear frequently!

My life is so busy, with my job (or school), my friends, my family. Can I fit this in?

My mother said (btw, this is Carey Lewis answering these FAQ's :), “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” In other words, busy people know how to work and succeed! Success breeds success. If you research your favorite stars (or any stars), you’ll discover that ALL of them are high achievers… in many areas! They’re busy, and they’re thriving.

Here’s the bottom line: Where is your heart? You need to prioritize what’s important to you. In terms of your family... I hope you have enthusiastic parental or spousal support. If you’re a working mom or dad, your kids will learn from what you do. If you go after your dreams, they’re likely to go after theirs, too. What a positive example you will be to those who love you most!

CPR averages ~2 hours a week.

What if I’m already a working performer? Is this for me?

Shine coaches many working performers, because the best performers keep learning and striving to up their game. All of the most successful people have coaches and mentors. Some are looking for new management and/or to expand their markets.

Shine is also internationally recognized in the vital processes of branding.

Expert branding proves to be the missing link when experienced talent isn’t booking as well as they hope.

They may need a fresh look, a savvy perspective and/or new marketing materials… along with a reinvented presentation to industry VIP’s.

How do I know I can trust Shine, that it’s “for real”?

Good thoughts. Totally get it. We’ve worked with 1000’s of performers over the past 4 decades who wondered the same thing.

You can judge a tree by its fruit (its history or evidence). I’m 70. Christian Performer Readiness is a highly specialized learning experience. It’s born of my last company's amazing 36 years of helping performers rise.

Additionally, here’s who to trust: #1: God. Pray on every opportunity. #2: History. Any coach, agent, or industry rep you’re considering should have a long track record and visible success stories. #3: DON’T trust anyone who flatters you and promises you anything other than knowledge or opportunity. There are no guarantees of work. Any reputable agent will tell you that. However, you can make your chances of success more likely if you learn intelligent ways to "speak Greek to the Greeks."

A word on who else NOT to listen to... dream haters who are trying to keep your light in the walls of the church of your home by keeping your focus on what they want, not what you want. Your destiny is between you and God.

Will my faith be compromised if I (or my child) follow the dream to be a performer?

Clearly, the entertainment industry includes shows and stars with questionable (or harmful) behavior. Maybe you’re wondering, “Does God want me to go to places like that? What if bad habits ‘rub off’ on me?"

Your concerns are understandable. But remember, Jesus focused His ministry on people others saw as “losers” or “morally corrupt.” They were His target audience. Sharing light, love, and kindness, in and through media is a worthy calling. It’s a golden opportunity. Your safety is to stay strong in your faith and unite with other believers who are on the same journey. Your talent presents a golden opportunity (even a godly mandate) to be a highly visible ambassador for Christ

How much time should I set aside each week for Christian Performer Readiness?

Hgh achievers are almost always busy people. We recommend you spend 2-4 hours per week on CPR for the 8-week live run of the course.

You can learn and interact with your coaches, guides, and new friends in our Circle Community, participate in live virtual events, read, watch, ask questions, and make your experience personal.

The cool thing is you have continual (lifetime:) access to CPR videos, handouts, webinars, and course assets. So, if you have a busy week… You can catch up when the time is more available. If you want to review in 6 months or anywhere down the line, you can!

Will I learn how to get an agent and/or move forward in the entertainment industry?

In the CPR Modules, you’ll learn about today’s evolving entertainment industry and God’s exciting plan.

In the Marketability Lessons, Carey will present the "5 Hurdles of Industry Success" you MUST leap over… to get an agent, a better agent, and/or book work.

Sadly, 99% of aspiring performers are clueless about these NEW and unspoken rules. So they’re rejected again and again. They may assume they’re not talented enough (lie)… and give up– not understanding the importance of these hurdles (much less how to clear them)... because busy Agents don’t have time to teach them and local coaches don’t know them.

Will I get a refund if I don't like Christian Performer Readiness?

Yes! You can get a 100% refund of your investment for 7 days after registration, as long as you "do the work." What does that mean? Watch the first 1 video module and complete the follow-up questions before requesting your refund.

Why do you have to show that you've participated? We believe CPR is the BEST way for you to align your faith and talent and move toward your dreams with confidence, but it only works if you do the work.

At the same time, we want to make sure you LOVE it, that it feels aligned to you, and that you love the Christian Performer Readiness Course and Community!

Can my family watch CPR with me?

Your immediate family in the same household is welcome to participate at no additional charge. However, you may not share Shine materials with anyone outside your household. They're copyrighted with all due protection of the law.

What’s a parent’s role in all of this?

If you have a talented child or teen, your role is one of active involvement. You (or your adult designee) will be with your child on every audition and booking. You need to understand the practicalities of the entertainment industry IN DEPTH. Your role involves nurturing, encouragement, transportation, balancing performance with other healthy non-performance activities, and maintaining the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of your young star.

If your child is obviously gifted and called by God, you have an opportunity to help him or her move forward safely.

What if I live in a different country? Will Christian Performer Readiness still help me?

Media covers the earth, and Shine loves its diverse community of international performers. Because New York, L.A., and Atlanta are the world's entertainment, modeling, and film capitals, Shine coaches by these standards. There’s truth in the classic Frank Sinatra song, New York, New York: “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere…”

The exposure, workshops, and VIP feedback international performers receive from Shine is priceless. They often end up ahead in their own countries, cultures, or anywhere else they choose to perform. (NOTE: Shine cannot assist with the Visa processes involved in performers desiring to relocate or work in the U.S. or elsewhere.)

How do I start in the entertainment industry? Is CPR really going to help me understand my path on a practical level?

• "What is step 1? And 2, 3, and 4…?"
• "What exactly should I do with my time and talent? Where should I focus my attention?"
• "Should I do ___ or ___? How do I keep moving after I start, and not get stuck?"

Not to mention the practicalities and actualities of knowledge you need— like what to wear to castings, what to say, where to search for auditions, what classes are worth taking, and hundreds, if not thousands, of other details that hopefully will not take a lifetime to learn.

This is THE top FAQ! The best and simplest answer is... find the right mentor(s) with a proven track record: people who’ve been there, done that, are STILL doing it… and succeeding; people who respect your values as a believer, but also understand the entertainment industry as a whole. For Christians, it’s being with people who follow Jesus and get media.

Matthew 10:16 sums up the strategy. Remember, Jesus was sending out His disciples on their first mission trips (without Him). He said, “Be as shrewd as serpents, but as gentle (or harmless) as doves.” Meaning? THOROUGHLY learn the rules, tips, and tricks of worldly “games” – in this case, the games of entertainment. You need your talent and branding polished… before you enter the field. And remember, this game is won by love: by your excellence, obvious love of God, and outstanding behavior!

What happens after the CPR Course? How can I continue to move forward with Shine?

Logical thoughts! Congrats! You’re forward-thinking and realize talent development is a process. If you feel you’ve found your people in Shine, our other services include:

➤ Shine Talent Accelerator & Review (STAR)! Read more about Shine's flagship program with personal coaching here.

Why is it so hard to find success as a performer (and even harder as a Christian)?

The list of challenges can feel overwhelming. It can make you abandon your dreams and bury your talent. Often, Christians wonder if God is really calling them to entertainment. (Spoiler alert: He is!)

Christians are succeeding like never before, but you need to learn how to be in this world, but not to become a part of it.