Recent College Grad ====> LA (Los Angeles, Vista: sublease, apartment, lease)

[bfatowest]

I recently received my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I've been trying to point my direction to Los Angeles for some years now, but school has kept me from doing so. Now that I'm done with school I decided it's about time to venture out there. I'm hoping that I can make the move in August or September. Any useful advice and tips for a young person moving to and settling in LA would be greatly appreciated.

I'm attracted to Los Angeles is for many reasons, one (most importantly) being that I majored in painting, animation, and took many film analysis classes, and LA's scene for those medias is much larger than Chicago. Hopefully there will be more opportunity out there too, especially for animation, because it's pretty slim here.

I have many connections I made at SAIC that have moved back to LA, so I definitely I won't be lonely out there. Also my folks lived there in the 70's and still keep in touch with their contacts and friends.

I've been making steps for the move and right now I'm working at a paid internship, and by the end of the summer I should have about $4000 saved up. Will that be enough for a couple of months out there, just to get me started? I definitely know in Chicago that 4000 for a 23 year old would last about 4 months, but obviously LA is more expensive.

I'm also not sure about finding work out in LA while in Chicago. I had applied for internships out there for this summer, and I didn't hear back from most. It was pretty daunting, but I was told that most places won't even take a look at your resume and portfolio if you don't live in the vicinity.

Also where's the best affordable and convient places to live? I'm looking to share an apartment(unless I can find a cheap studio) and depending where I can find work, I'm planning to rely on public transportation and biking. Some of my friends live in Highland Park, Eagle Rock, and Downtown and they said those are good areas for low rent and transportation.

So am I on the right track? Is this move to Los Angeles possible? Any advice, suggestions, or leads would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!

[BRinSM]

jobs in the entertainment and media industry tend to be more about "who you know" rather that "what you know". having said that, you really should have a job before you move, especially if you want to find an apartment to lease. i would check with your parents to see if any of there friends have a room you could rent on a short term basis until you have a job and an apartment lined up. otherwise you'll need short term housing when you move out here, which is very expensive on a monthly basis when compared to signing a 12 month lease.

[Ceece]

Try to avoid a lease and instead look for a sublease or a room to rent month to month. Share a bedroom or rent a couch. $4000 won't go far. Honestly, for entry level work you won't be able to get anything unless you actually live there, nobody is looking out of the area for those kinds of things. Look around Culver, Mar Vista, Venice and Palms...there are many small studios you can apply to on the Westside and you won't animate, you can get in the door as a PA though and meet people and take on more responsibility. Alternatively, go where your contacts are if they are employed, that kind of help is invaluable. Offer to work as an unpaid intern for a month and if you have to. Once you are up and running you can rework your living situation.