Hello everyone my name is Aaron Loyd and I'm currently a Junior at MSU. I'm anxiously looking forward to someday in the near future moving out to LA to start my career. I would like to ask everyone here for whatever advice you could offer me on how to begin.
I have been told that Burbank is a great place to live when you first arrive here.
I also am aware that it can take a few months to really get started. First you must find a job and then you must generally put up with a few months of being an unpaid intern/PA before you start receiving a paycheck.
What I need is advice on how to find a place to live, how to look for a job (through friends and contacts I know that much), how to find my way around and such.
I need to know how to get it all together so I can survive those first few rough months and start to build a real career.
I have been told that Burbank is a great place to live when you first arrive here.
I also am aware that it can take a few months to really get started. First you must find a job and then you must generally put up with a few months of being an unpaid intern/PA before you start receiving a paycheck.
What I need is advice on how to find a place to live, how to look for a job (through friends and contacts I know that much), how to find my way around and such.
I need to know how to get it all together so I can survive those first few rough months and start to build a real career.
-
Re: How do you get started in LA?
Mon, April 12, 2004 - 12:00 AMGreeting, Aaron,
Glad to hear you're looking to make the leap and move to the big city. As we all know it's a huge change going from the laid back school life of Bozeman to the big city of LA LA LAND.
As far as what to do when you get here. Yes, Burbank is a good place to live to start. You can get buses and the Metro rail in Hollywood and downtown if need be, assuming you won't have a car. But if you do, buy a THOMAS GUIDE the day you arrive. This little book will help you get out of any lost situation.
And as far as work, I started with Extra casting companies that got me on several shows in the begining. This helped me survive until I got a real job.
It's not glamourous work, but if you can get on the set of a feature then you get great craft services.
Now as far as finding a 'REAL' job, count on your luck and networking to pull through here. Some of us may be able to lead you into a PA position to get your foot in the door. Unpaid intern positions are great if you can afford not to work.
Most of all, prepare yourself mentally before coming down here. If this is REALLY what you want to do, then don't get dicouraged in the begining. It's not easy, but hard work and determination does pay off.
And of course keep in touch with the alumni that you know, that is what the Mafia is all about.
Good luck! -
-
Re: How do you get started in LA?
Mon, April 12, 2004 - 8:25 PMAre PA jobs and internships similar? I know they are both common starting out jobs, but It would be good to know if there are any big differences. -
-
Re: How do you get started in LA?
Wed, April 14, 2004 - 12:52 AMYou're right that they are similar. Both positions are doing all the dirty work. Runs, copies, etc.
The only difference is that they pay you for a PA position. Interns are free. -
-
Re: How do you get started in LA?
Fri, April 16, 2004 - 12:55 AMWell, some interns are paid, further blurring the line between intern and PA. I, like Matt, signed up with Central Casting when I arrived in town and paid the bills being an extra. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes it really sucks, but hey...you get to hang out on sets and you get free food. Important note: unless you're union, the pay is...well, not good.
As far as finding a place to live when you move here, there are a few guidelines: the Valley is cheaper, but is ungodly hot in the summer, not to mention a hell of a commute over the hill. Hollywood is central, but a bit seedy. The westside (Santa Monica, Venice, etc.) is generally clean, has a great climate, a lot of traffic, and insane rents. Burbank is a good place to start if for no other reason than it is close to many of the major studios. You just have to weigh the pros and cons.
The old adage of "it's not what you know but who" is, sadly, very very true. I've never gotten a job or even an interview based on my experience down here. Every gig I've gotten has been through a friend or friend of a friend. So make friends. Get to know the MSU Mafia.
Competition is intense down here. No matter how good you are, there are a hundred people better than you. And better looking. And EVERYONE wants to act, direct, produce, and write. The secret, I've found, is to get some niche skillset while you're still in college. Something that will pay the bills until you're established. Examples: Learn how to use After Effects or Shake, because there are a lot of jobs for compositors. Learn Maya or 3D Studio Max, because it's huge in demand. Practice your typing, because you could get a glamorous job as a transcriber (ah, the good ol' days, eh Matt?). Flash, web design, sound design. And the big one, if you never ever want to have trouble finding a job...learn Avid. Every Avid editor I know has a new job within days of going on hiatus from their previous gig. If you know Avid and can get in somewhere as an assistant, you can move up fast in the food chain and make lots of money. You could learn Final Cut Pro, but then you'd be working for peanuts for independent movie producers. Learn Avid, and you'll be on every reality show there is.
Sorry for being so long-winded.
-
-
-
