Moving to LA with part-time job-will I make it? (Alhambra: theatre, tax)

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by MrQuincy

-I have 3 professional computer networking certifications so I can get the day job I need in LA starting out
-I have a full time job in Kansas City that allows me to save for this move
-I have paid for my recording studio in full
-I am enrolled at the Berklee School of Music online for a Studio Production Professional Certificate
-I have 6 years of gigging experience and played with some national acts.
-I've recorded in LA and met some producers for Hollywood and Casablanca records
-I have paid over $15,000 for marketing/recording/getting screwwed for my band (and learned a lot)
-I've read volumes of books dealing with making ends meet as a musician

Just to emphasize my prior post.....This, as described....is REAL WORK. I don't know who you are, but to accomplish this by 21 is something to be proud of already. I do not know if you will "make it", but you will not fail....at least not in the ultimate sense.

I post this because I don't think most people really understand what hard work is. I don't think they really understand how certain people get ahead and so forth. My brother and his wife were the richest 25 year olds I ever met. They worked about 120 hours a week on their business at the time. Now in their early 30's, they are in the top 1% of wage earners in the country...they still put in 80+ hours a week each. Thats how they got ahead.

Everyone I know that makes a decent living....say $50K income and up in Los Angeles...paid their dues at some point or another by going to school, putting in long hours at work, extensive apprenticeship, etc.

Even every actor did this. I think anyway. I still don't think most people know what real work is though.

[Millie37]

California is a very expensive state. I suggest you move with more money saved up and with a full time job if possible In order to move to any state I believe you should having at least six months of expenses saved up. Going back to L.A, It's really hard to survive here with a mediocre income. It's a very large state it takes you over an hour to get any where so you need a car to move around. Rent, food and fuel is very High. Good luck!!

[babsido]

I am from south africa and would like to move to either LA or NY. I don't have a job there yet and desperately need one in order to get a visa. I have tons of call centre experients and have a business management diploma and massage certificate.
Do u guys know where I could get a job with these qualifications? Do u know of any websites or so? Thanks. I'm willing to work as anything besides the porn industry

[Mr. Mysterious]

You will never know if you don't try it! High Five!

[MrQuincy]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

Just to emphasize my prior post.....This, as described....is REAL WORK. I don't know who you are, but to accomplish this by 21 is something to be proud of already. I do not know if you will "make it", but you will not fail....at least not in the ultimate sense.

Thanks! And I agree, I expect not to fail. However, my definition of success is not living in a million dollar home and making my dog drink Bling H20 (when a well flushed toilet is just as appealing to her).

Most people are after the lifestyles they see on TV I would guess...I think so many people see movies and confuse character portrayal with genuine character. Reality TV only befuddles the mess. People think they want TV's built into the trunk of their car and don't realize they may have to take groceries home one day! Success isn't houses and cars to the intelligent observer; it's performing at the peak of ability in areas that are also a primary focus of interest. I think money can make success easier or more difficult depending on how it's spent. I think the key to using money successfully is to GET RID of the money you don't need to live comfortably.

I might disagree with you that all actors/musicians/token successful entertainment biz folk are hard workers. Money buys advertising, and as long as people are still watching TV, advertising buys commercial success for those trying to sell an image (which is what the entertainment biz is all about, even in music). I think "buzz" plays a big part in success too, but money will buy "buzz" too if the marketing is targeted correctly. Interestingly, it seems that the most profitable advertisement in Hollywood is that Hollywood is better than anywhere else in the world. I guess that says something about American's (read: OP's) pre-disposition to hate their day to day routine.

When I decided to withdraw from the traditional 4 year school, I took a very careful look at the artists I admire and first looked at WHAT they had, then decided if that was something I wanted to pursue. I did find several artists that had a lifestyle that I deemed partially desirable (I never found even one who I envied), but there were many that are obviously unhappy with their lives! Why would I strive for that?! Regardless of whether the qualities of their monetary success were appealing to me: most of them had parents with money, and parents who understood their passion and supported their entrance into the entertainment industry. For me (and OP), those inherent qualities of the artists I admire are completely lacking. It's absolutely ciritical to our monetary success that we understand what we want, how it's been obtained in the past, and how we can utilize our limited resources to achieve the same platform. I've come to terms with the fact that America buys music that sells an image, the decision to incorporate a diverse palatte of culture in my music is important to my vision of success...but it's not necessary to sell an image. I think that to make money, it's about the image and the message (does it look/feel good, and can I relate to it?) Success is determined by personal values alone. I would love to hear others' perspectives. I don't think Scriptchick is interested in delving this far into her mind, but perhaps others are interested in getting inside OUR heads and millions of others like us moving to LA for the entertainment industry.

Is hard work necessary to be rich and famous? I doubt it, but I think it plays a big part in fulfillment once you get to the rich and famous part.

[zakkk]

Originally Posted by babsido

I'm a South African and am also working on moving to either NY or LA and am still doing my research which is very difficulty without any real contacts in the States at all. This topic's been insightful and scarry.
I hope I'll make it. If you think you're old at 24, I'm 34 and south african

Hi Babsido

I am also from South Africa, and will be heading off to LA first thing February next year. Don't let these people get you down, you know as well as I do, we are used to much worse man!! We're from SA!! Not that I'm one of those "I hate SA" people. My fiance and me are also going on a tight budget, and I can't even get a job on a study visa, she can though, she is a US citizen. Good luck man, it's going to be a kick ass adventure!!

[zakkk]

Ha ha ha ha, you guys on this thread think that it is difficult to survive in LA. Try living in South Africa. We have really really bad crime, everyone knows someone who has been a victim of some terrible crime. We have outrageous gas prices!! We have one the highest unemployment rates in the world, our government is beyond corrupt!! I currently survive on about $300 per month, then that includes food, gas, spending money, cellphone bill etc.

Moving to LA on a tight budget is possible, and you can stay in an O.K apartment for $550 - 600 per month, you just need to be smart, keep looking around till you find that apartment and most importantly, don't give up, don't lose faith in yourself and your abilities!!

[impala666]

Originally Posted by zakkk

Ha ha ha ha, you guys on this thread think that it is difficult to survive in LA. Try living in South Africa. We have really really bad crime, everyone knows someone who has been a victim of some terrible crime. We have outrageous gas prices!! We have one the highest unemployment rates in the world, our government is beyond corrupt!! I currently survive on about $300 per month, then that includes food, gas, spending money, cellphone bill etc.

Moving to LA on a tight budget is possible, and you can stay in an O.K apartment for $550 - 600 per month, you just need to be smart, keep looking around till you find that apartment and most importantly, don't give up, don't lose faith in yourself and your abilities!!

Just what LA needs???

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by zakkk

Moving to LA on a tight budget is possible, and you can stay in an O.K apartment for $550 - 600 per month

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Yes this price apartment does exist in Los Angeles....in the ghetto, and by ghetto I mean the real ghetto, not the imaginary middle class places like Reseda, Arleta, El Monte etc that people falsely call the ghetto.

I mean the real ghetto like near the LAPD Southwest police station off of MLK and Western. One of the very most dangerous places in Los Angeles. Yes just like you in South Africa, everyone in that neighborhood has experienced their own little slice of hell. Yes you can find an apartment for $600 there. And if you are a little southern white girl like OP, well then............

[babsido]

Thanks Zakkk, I wish you were in LA already, so you can speak from experience. Where's you fiance at now? SA or LA?
At the moment, I've saved up to about R50 000 that's about $5000. I don't know how far that will take me considering I still have to get a ticket. BuT I'll sell my car first and get another $3000 or so
Pls guys keep the suggestions comming. I wanna leave ASAP. Thanks
You can even email me on eagleimag(at)yahoo(dot)com