Excited to move to Los Angeles (London: credit, lawyer, student loans)

[justmyopinion]

Well, I just have to put my 2-cents in.

I have worked in the film business for 30 years, and so has 3 other members in my family (different generations). It was not the first choice for any of us; I just wanted to pay my bills, and couldn't afford to finish college. But we started long ago before unions, guilds, and corporations made so many rules. Because of this factor, it is now close to impossible to find your way and move up in the film business. We have been lucky (awards, great jobs, travel) but do not recommend this business now to ANYONE. I have members of my own family who want to move here to "production design, act, write, produce, direct", etc. etc. etc., and I tell them NOT to. Even with "connections", the chances of making it in this business are slim, and making a living in the meantime is tough. Believe me, it is not glamourous, the egos are nauseating, and you will not meet more difficult people to work with. I retired as soon as possible. By NOT helping them in these endeavors, I know I am doing them a great favor.

And remember, 85% of SAG make less than $5000. a year acting. They have alternate (or their "real) jobs. Or they get 1 or 2 bit parts, and their careers are over. And I don't mean to be cruel here.... just honest; actors are a dime a dozen in LA. You may want to re-consider.

[Ankhharu]

Originally Posted by justmyopinion

Well, I just have to put my 2-cents in.

I have worked in the film business for 30 years, and so has 3 other members in my family (different generations). It was not the first choice for any of us; I just wanted to pay my bills, and couldn't afford to finish college. But we started long ago before unions, guilds, and corporations made so many rules. Because of this factor, it is now close to impossible to find your way and move up in the film business. We have been lucky (awards, great jobs, travel) but do not recommend this business now to ANYONE. I have members of my own family who want to move here to "production design, act, write, produce, direct", etc. etc. etc., and I tell them NOT to. Even with "connections", the chances of making it in this business are slim, and making a living in the meantime is tough. Believe me, it is not glamourous, the egos are nauseating, and you will not meet more difficult people to work with. I retired as soon as possible. By NOT helping them in these endeavors, I know I am doing them a great favor.

And remember, 85% of SAG make less than $5000. a year acting. They have alternate (or their "real) jobs. Or they get 1 or 2 bit parts, and their careers are over. And I don't mean to be cruel here.... just honest; actors are a dime a dozen in LA. You may want to re-consider.

No offense, but I really get tired of these types of remarks and comments to actors or anyone who decided to actually pursue a dream, hope or aspiration. If everybody gave up on their dreams because it was "tough" or "nearly impossible" we'd have no movies, tv shows, no radio, no authors, no NFL, no NHL, no NBA, no MLB, no MLS, and on and on and on. I gave up on my acting ambitions when I was 21 because of this nonsense. Now i'm back at age 32 having to convince myself that I didn't waste the last decade when I gave up and did something else because society says that I should get a 8-5 job, wife, kids, house and white picket fence. Well, I refuse to settle for these types of garbage You get one life. Why should anyone give up on something or not even try just because it's a long shot? I don't know about you, but I for one have no desire to turn 70 wondering what might have been, if I make it that long, barring corporate america doesn't give me a heart attack first. No desire to be looking back going "yea, I had a dream to do such and such but I never even gave it a try. Or I gave up because, well, shucks, it's hard." Life is hard and nothing worth having comes easy. Maybe I won't make it, maybe Courtney won't make it but failing to achieve something is much easier to deal with than knowing you never even tried. Just because you didn't make it or couldn't make it doesn't mean that he, she or me won't make it. People love to crush others hopes especially when they can't do something. No one will ever understand the mindset of an actor, the desire or what we seek in life. An office over looking the downtown area, wearing a suit while having cigars and brandy with corporate execs is not a life we all aspire to.

[CourtneyW]

THANK YOU!!! That is exactly how I feel!! I hate the feeling of regret! Or the constant thinking "What if?" I just can't go through life wondering how life would've been if I had just gave my dreams a shot or regretting the fact that I never did. There is nothing else I can see myself doing in life..if I don't make it as an actor I'd probably die on the street because nothing else inspires my SOUL the way acting does and that's just the bottom line!

[matt345]

Ankhharu-
That was one of the best posts I've ever read on here. I completely agree. Even though I'm not personally looking to work in the entertainment industry, I applaud anyone who has enough courage and passion to say: Yeah I know it won't be easy but I'm going to give it my best anyway.

[kissed_by_fire]

This is just my personal opinion.... so take it with a grain of salt.

I was born and raised in the LA area, went to a private art school in downtown LA. I've worked in film, theatre, fashion, printing and the interesting informercial industry for awhile. Regardless of my experience and my drive, it was VERY difficult. LA is cut throat. The only small actors I know that get more than nonpaying gigs are those working in large casting offices that are SAG. My suggestion would be to try getting a few independent films where you're located right now. This would give you more experience, buff up your resume and give you some credits. Start networking, I can't put enough stress on how important connections are.

There's nothing wrong with following your dreams, just be well educated and aware of the realities of what the city really offers. LA is an awesome city if you abuse what it offers. The nightlife is amazing and the cultural diversity is wonderful. I'm personally a big city girl myself (and no I'm not a bored 18 year old ). Living in a large city and actually making it really forces you to mature. I think it's a great experience. The b/f came from a tiny town in New England and moved to LA at the age of 18 to study at a film school. Although he dropped out after a year, he still managed to spend 5 years in LA. He never made much money but still managed to enjoy himself. It can be done. Learn to budget, live with roommates. Believe me you'll develop barely scraping by down to an art but it's worth the experience alone.

Burbank really is a great area. The arts district of North Hollywood is awesome as well. Studio City tends to be more expensive. Try to get a job close to where you live. Believe me you want to avoid dealing with the traffic as much as possible.

If your parents are supportive it will make things much easier. I'm not talking in terms of financing your move, but the emotional support is helpful when you hit roadblocks, which you will. If they aren't happy with the idea of moving, things will get rocky. I speak from experience. I left LA earlier this year to get to NY. My mother has made this goal of mine complete living hell. It's gotten to the point where I'm ready to cut off contact with her because she stresses me out and the negativity isn't something I need right now. I'm nervous enough as is about the NY goal. But like you, failure isn't an option. I'm just glad I spent 3 years bulking up my resume in LA before I headed to NY.

Best of luck, just approach it with determination and do TONS of research before you make the big jump. As it's been pointed out, people tend to view LA in this sparkling wonderful image. It's a dirty, crowded city with plastic residents that will stab you in the back to get ahead. I personally much prefer NY. LA just made me very bitter and jaded.

[veganchicky]

I have had roommates in the past. And despite the lower rent payments, I always ended up more broke or inconvenienced. I'd rather work a 2nd job to cover the extra $400 to live on my own. Here are some scenerios I've encountered, some recurring over 5 years of roommate experiences in my early 20's. First, you have the "multiplying roommate scenario." You start with one roommate. 2 months later he gets a girlfriend, or she gets a boyfriend, etc. Next thing you know, you're apartment is so much closer to where he or she works, so she moves a bunch of her stuff in. Does her laundry while your roommate is at work. Watches TV. Runs your airconditioner when it would not normally be running because you and your roommate are usually out at that time. Takes up space. Basically lives there, but doesn't pay rent or chip in for utilities.Tells you that you need to buy more toilet paper. Fast forward a few months, they are getting along so well (and you know because you are kept up at night from the loud sex coming from the room next to you) that they want the place to themselves and you have one month to get out. Now you have to scramble, trying to find another place, save up deposits, take time off work to go apartment hunting all over again, etc. Another common scenario: The party animal roommate. People spilling drinks on your furniture. People puking in your bathroom. People peeing in your flower garden. Can't sleep because they want to play drums at 1 in the morning. Another scenario: The neat freak roommate. Don't even THINK about reading the newspaper while sitting on the couch because you might get newspaper print on the fabric. And if you pour leftover coffee down the drain make sure you rinse it all the way down, or you may find your roommate calling you up an hour later while you're at the gym letting you know you need to rinse it all the way down and dry the sink. Yet another scenario: the deadbeat roommate. He/She is late on their rent again. Or electricity bill. or cable bill.
Then there's the stinky scenario: The stinky Roommate. Not only are they constantly late paying bills, they actually have the nerve to say they can't afford deodorant. They stink up your couch with a funk that doesn't come out now matter how many times you try to scrub the couch clean with upholstry cleaner. Wait there's still more: The **** roommate. Even more annoying than the girlfriend/boyfriend, is the sleezy guys your roommate brings home from bars.
Eating your food. taking up space. Stealing your stuff. Not to forget the rebellious roommate. They are out on their own for the first time right out of high school. They hang out with boardwalk cretens and bring them home. They're doing drugs in your apartment. 2 months later you see these people on the news involved in videotaping a murder-for-hire scheme. Oh, yes and don't forget the stalker roommate. You start off as just offering a room for rent to your best friend's ex boyfriend from high school because you need a roommate and they need a place to live. You've never dated, or shown any interest in dating him. Yet he tells all your neighbors he wants to marry you. He waits up to see if you're going to bring home a guy. He tells your mother what sexual things you've done with your boyfriend. when you tell him he needs to move out, he stops you on the way to your bedroom and tells you you better sleep with one eye open. Anyway, just a few things to consider while pondering whether to live alone or with roommates.
Personally, I'd much rather work a little more to come up with the extra cash for my own place.

[CourtneyW]

OMG that all actually happened to you! DEAR LORD! Neat freak roommate I can deal with, but the **** and the stinky and the druggie roommate is an absolutely NO-NO!!! If my name is the only one on the lease then they can pack their crap and leave! I don't put up with that mess. But I'll still need a roommate. Because I wont have time for a second job. My most recent plan was to get a job at a hospital as a secretary or something during the night...that way I can sleep a little during the day while going out on casting calls and doing all I need to do for acting. But I don't know..it's all so confusing. I guess I'll have to just play it by ear when I get there.

[UB50]

Originally Posted by CourtneyW

Oh coolness! Well I've figured out that Sherman Oaks and Studio City are the best places in the Valley. Then Burbank is really good too I hear. I'm leaning more towards Burbank. It's close to all the studios and everyone says it's really nice and safe.

Glendale and Pasadena are nice too and only about a 15 to 30 minute drive from Burbank. Glendale is actually attached to Burbank -- I think Alameda Blvd. is the dividing line.

Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena are all independent cities in Los Angeles county but, because they are close together, they share a lot of things like police helicopters, airport, etc. (That Bob Hope Airport used to be the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Airport.)

Anyway, Glendale and Pasadena also have a lot of apartments so you might consider them too.

[JCheng91]

umm, if u want to live in a nice area, you should get a professional job i.e. doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. minimum wage will leave you in the ghetto where many gang members reside. it's unfortunate you did not go to a 4 year university and 4 year graduate school to get a professional job. You can either live in the ghetto in LA or stay in narrow minded bible belt state Alabama.

[CourtneyW]

Originally Posted by JCheng91

You can either live in the ghetto in LA or stay in narrow minded bible belt state Alabama.

Umm Alabama is really not that bad..well the part I live in isn't. Thats like me saying that the entire state of california is nothing but gang-ridden...and that certainly isn't true. So please consider what you say before you type it. If it wasn't for my love of acting, I probably would stay here..but I know if I want to be serious about it..LA is where I need to go.