Creative Artists in L.A. (rent, theater, income)

[Joy74]

Those of you that moved to L.A. to pursue your dream of performing or writing in music, film, theatre,etc, have you been able to find some success. Are you a working actor, musician, writer, etc? Meaning, you are consistently generating income, or have a consistent amount of projects in the works. Thanks

[WestCoastMom]

Yes, with compromises. For example, working on indie films while also making television commercials. It often takes a wide array of project to build a career and a living.

[readymade]

My husband & I moved here (in November) mostly because of the weather, but also because we wanted to pursue creative endeavors.

Since we moved here: my husband & baby were in a Funny Or Die video with a B-List star. A couple of months later, we were approached by a production company to produce our documentary (something we thought would just be a YouTube video but blew up into something more). The production company also managed to get us an interview with a major movie star for our film. We just finished it, and it's currently being entered into film festivals, and a couple of sales/distribution companies as well as theaters have shown interest. My husband & his writing partner have some interest in a pilot they wrote. And my husband met a (minor) TV star on the plane ride to interview the movie star and they totally hit it off. She's interested in playing a part in another pilot he wrote, and wants to help him pitch it.

All of this was basically without any effort on our part. Writing the pilots & making the documentary were a lot of work, of course, but we did them without the expectation that anything will come of them. To be honest, I'm kind of blown away by it all. I'm not saying that everyone is going to have this experience, but moving here was pretty much the greatest thing we could have done. NONE of this would have happened if we were still back on the east coast.

SO, no real income yet. But lots of irons in the fire.

[yamota]

Have you seen all the re-makes, sequels and comic book movies coming out of Hollywood lately? There is no creativity anymore in Hollywood

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Joy74

consistently generating income

"Consistently" would indicate a regular job that pays the rent while the creative things are being explored, which ought not be altogether relied on for the whole of one's income.

[Joy74]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

"Consistently" would indicate a regular job that pays the rent while the creative things are being explored, which ought not be altogether relied on for the whole of one's income.

This is true. There isnt much consistency in the arts when it comes to actually working. Its just consistent practice, auditions, networking,etc. Its a feast or famine lifestyle for sure, unless you have income from another source. I do think for those that continue pursuing, they will get projects that could lead to something bigger. It is wise to have a day job, whether related or unrelated to the artistic talent or talents.