I've heard countless stories regarding those that have gone to LA and ended up going back to their hometown or staying in LA but saying "The demand far outweighs the supply" and had to revert working full-time to pay for rent, etc. I've always thought making the move to LA from Seattle would be questionable in attempting to secure stable work as an actor and not detracting from it by working elsewhere to pay bills, but the common theme among these stories is they are either going down with no experience or don't know where to look for work and expect an agent (if one even signs them) to do all the work for them. Thoughts?
Anything Goes : Migrating to LA by Hardy Awadjie
Other topics in Anything Goes:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
1 person likes this
Swim or Sink. Maybe those who are where they are at, are complacent? Maybe traveling "jumping in" is the part where they must swim. Self inflicted motivation... Moving to wait tables is not what most have in mind I am sure. All while paying high rent, crowds, etc. Although there is a mecca of projects, which of those get done, are paid or actually worth the time? Why can't someone cherry pick from a far and if the project is worth it, book a 300 RT flight to see if anything is there. 300 twice a year is better then 600 more + a month to survive.... Food for thought. But hey jump in if you like.
1 person likes this
That's a great point that I've considered in a few LA roles I have applied for. However, most projects either want me to come in for a physical audition (instead of submitting for a video audition) or the costs for travel outweigh what the pay is. But I do believe it's better to try and fail than not try at all and always be thinking "what if".
That was my point. Cheap pay for small gigs, with no real future to them. IF you have a real agent with real connects who can get you infront of real people then by all means. Classic example YOUR TV Pilot for two weeks for NO PAY. I do not see why you could not connect in your area with some short movie makers, and if someone sees you have talent, the read would be a formality for a real paying gig. Then it would be about a short term rental in an expensive city. Until the next one. I agree with the thinking that "You miss 100% of the shots you do not take." W.Gretsky. But I also believe in live for today but PLAN for tomorrow. Give it a shot....Looks like you are no stranger to relocating. Who knows you might meet the right people to do exactly that? Maybe this post was a formality and you have made your mind. Only waiting to hear come on in the water is fine....
1 person likes this
I Gotta go buy a lottery ticket.
People will argue the old adage that luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity. In Hollywood, there is some truth there, but luck is a major factor. That said, luck may get your foot in the door, but skill will keep you in the room. It's really about your endurance level, and how realistic your idea of success is versus that of the majority of failures who commit an exodus out of LA after they haven't been made a star within their one to two year time frame. I always tell people to go walk the Santa Monica pier or Venice Beach and look at all the highly talented, gifted artists who hustle for loose change in their hats and didn't make it. That will be your competition, and if you can stare that in the eye and press forward, then you're ready for Hollywood. It takes a certain level of crazy to pursue an industry like this, and those who succeed are usually people who would rather die (literally) than perform in any other profession. However, I'll leave you with this - Sean Hayes once told me that if you have a plan B, go do your plan B; to make it in Hollywood, that better be your plan A-Z from the start. Best of luck!