Screenwriting : Move to L.A.? by James M. Denton

Yes. And yes. After 6 years of trying to break in from DC, I finally made the move a few weeks ago. Already I'm meeting up with old friends telling me they know someone who's so and so's assistant, or they're introducing me to editors, producers, etc. of this TV show, that TV show, etc. I've met with these industry ppl and got a great rapport going. I have a few more getting-to-know-you coffee meetings set up. I'm not sure what the next step is, but at least I'm on their radar. Encounters like this aren't going to happen outside the mecca. This is why those in-the-know stress moving out here. I'm continuing to work on my next projects and I've been fine-tuning my strategy in terms of attracting the attention of agents/managers, but I have a feeling that these face-to-face intros are going to be the most helpful in launching my TV/screenwriting career. Start planning your move and good luck!

I've done all my work from NY thanks to Skype meetings and other forms of communication. I started by working for a magazine that was being published in the UK! That lead to interviewing and becoming friends with the man who is my partner now. He lives in California, I live in Western NY. The three screenplays I have been hired to write were all done so from NY. The only time I've gone out there in regard to screenwriting is to watch the filming of my movie! If I am needed, I'll go but so far I have not needed to.

Yes. Moved from New Haven, CT just three years ago. You meet so many more people who are film makers and in "the biz" by being here. And here's the important part for me - I think people are more willing to read your stuff if you're close by. It's sad in many ways, but folks who invest the time to read your stuff want to know they can meet with you if you're here and they like your writing. Meeting people who may be interested in working with you is difficult enough - but there are more people to meet out here. It's a numbers game, really.

Being in L.A. is everything for every position... particularly at entry. People who claim it doesn't matter and can work remotely are either A-list, or in NYC, New Orleans or Atlanta at this juncture. If you want to be in the thick of it where the competition is overwhelming and the opportunities exist, L.A. is it... and it's having a production come back as well.

Royce I wish I was A-List! I'm in Rochester, not NYC. I was lucky enough to interview someone (Andy Cheng) who years later, needed a writer and asked me first. He liked my work enough to suggest his friend (Johnny Martin) hire me for Case #13 and then he in turn told Robert J Wilson about my work. Johnny Martin enjoys working with me so much he had me write another and he is has suggested me to others who interviewed me. Yes I had one connection that lead to others but my work habits and skill lead to more and more work! Neither Andy Cheng, Johnny Martin nor Robert J Wilson can lay claim to being A-list, other than stunt doubling for A-listers!

One of my close relatives (who works in film) moved to Los Angeles. In two years, she moved up and doubled her earnings. Do it.

If you hate living in cities, do. not. move. If you like city life, go for it. At its heart, LA is a city. It's crowded, and expensive, and hot and smoggy, and offers tons of opportunities, and has a crap public transport system. Find a place to live short-term while you explore and find the niche neighborhood that really fits you. I don't recommend going out with a suitcase full of scripts and a dream; have a job lined up or a local support network. Remember that hundreds of people are going after a dozen assistant positions; competition is high. Almost any job you find will have someone with a movie connection, so don't worry about finding an industry job -- find a job that doesn't stress you out and gives you the liquidity to network (workshops, parties, college events, union events, etc). Have a goal, have more than one script and make sure those scripts are crackerjack. The regrets I've heard come from people who moved too early and with no plan -- their scripts weren't ready yet, and they were eating through their savings too fast because they had no income.

I actually hope to move there some day to one of the suburbs. But now I have a house with no mortgage. I'm not ready to trade that in for a $300,000 house I can't afford yet. My sister lives in LA county and the job market is not great.(my husband works in construction and housing market for new houses isn't great as it is in western NY) Maybe after I sell a few more (and bigger budget) screenplays but for now I have to wait.