I’m not going to lie to you, I have a love / hate relationship with Los Angeles. I will always appreciate the city because I feel like the majority of my formative years as an adult have been here, living on my own and learning how to adapt to this city. I felt like I did everything I could do in New York as far as film-making and getting over my initial learning curve. I made several shorts, I worked with well over 50 actors, all of whom were older than I, and I got to make a commercial that was very personal to me.
Back in 2011, Los Angeles felt like the next logical step. I didn’t move here under the most ideal circumstances and getting a job so I can stay was very difficult, but I made it work. One of the things I learned after moving to LA is that it’s more about the commerce aspect of film-making than the art and that can be defeating to some people, especially someone coming from New York. We have to remember though, that this industry has many names, and one of them is Show Business.
These stories that we want to tell and be apart of have to make money or else we won’t be able to keep doing them. You really have to put your ego aside and prepare yourself emotionally for a city like this because it can, and will potentially eat you alive. If you plan on moving to Los Angeles in the future, here are some tips.
- Your reel, Website, Resume, and Head-shots need to be done way before you get here.
- 6 months worth of rent already saved up. This doesn’t include your flight here.
- Find a roommate until you get a job.
- Already know how to cook.
- Live in an area where everything is in walking distance, this will save you money on gas.
- A lot of people in LA talk a big game, keep your guard up, but be friendly.
Los Angeles can be a very strange place, especially for us east coast folks. After meeting so many people, I started to realize that real friends are hard to come by because people are trying to figure out what you can offer them, and that will become frustrating. I’ll admit I was a bit naive and of course that’s the case in a city like this because everyone is moving here to make it, but I want to tell you now, if you meet someone who is truly genuine, hold on to them.
Broken dreams and obvious wealth will stare you in the face on a daily basis and you’re either the type of person who will become depressed / frustrated by this, or you will use this as your fuel to become successful. Be prepared for it.
Los Angeles is a beautiful city with amazing weather all year round and I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking it, but I want you to come here more prepared than I was and if you do, success will be imminent. We have to keep climbing the ladder together.