Any advice for moving to LA?

Greggl said:
-The Valley is underrated. We lived in Studio City/North Hollywood at first. It
was a blast. Be forwarned, many LA apartments dont come with a fridge... you
may need to invest in at least a dorm fridge... budget for it.

-Move out with a roomate. Work together to get each other 'in'. The whole
city runs on social contacts that are backed up with the ability to do what you
claim you can do.

-Have a *reliable* affordable to operate car. You're gonna learn how to drive.
LA drivers are pros.
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I was wondering why "comes with a fridge" was an option on a lot of the apartments i saw.

Check. Plans are to move out there with the lady.

Check. Plans are to get a new car this summer.

Again, thanks for the insight, I'm more of a behind the scenes kind of person, but i could put on the "extra" shoes if need be.
 
hybridtheory said:
A. where to live to not get shot (with a gun, not a camera.)

Thanks for anything people!:dankk2:
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First things first, dont move to a new city with this mentality. you will find that "bad neighborhoods" arent bad, just poor. Alot of that "You'll get shot in the hood" stuff is mostly myth. Sure people get murdered but its not as random as the news makes it out to be. I know NY isnt LA, but as a big city resident, you can go anywhere and noone will bohter you as long as you respect people and dont look like youre expecting trouble from people. Just be courteous, and keep your eyes open for the dudes that do look like they are looking for trouble.

Good luck,
Enjoy yourself.
-T
 
haha, sorry to seem judgemental. guess i should have just asked for good areas to live in. (that and I live in madison, which you would think is safe, but someone recently busted my car window and jacked my stereo ... grrr.)
 
Hybrid,

Thanks for starting this post. I'm moving out to LA around November next fall and this thread has been very educational. I never would have thought to do this kind of recon myself but it seems moving to the West Coast comes with alot of baggage I didn't even consider. Like needing a fridge. Totally glad i still have the ol' dorm fridge.


I'm totally bricemanning with this post :costumed-smiley-047
 
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The Valley is underrated. We lived in Studio City/North Hollywood at first.
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I agree. I don't recommend Hollywood, it is rather crap. On the other hand, lots of good Post Houses, etc. I would choose Studio City over North Hollywood. But Glendale and Burbank are even better living conditions.
 
Greggl said:
that guy in line behind you at IKEA is probably industry.
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First of all, I'd dissuade you from moving. It's really expensive here. If you're going to move, then do things like how Greggl advises. Unfortunately, a lof of the entertainment industry is based on connections, not talent. Get to know people.

I used to work at a major studio. I happened to get the job because my friend worked there, and knew about the opening before it hit the employment network. That's how a lot of jobs are filled, connections and being in the right place at the right time. Ironically, I was totally unqualified for the job based on experience/resume etc, but I got an interview and the rest was up to me. I crushed the interview and ended up getting the job.

The funny thing was that when I went to fill out the employment papers and NDA at the studio's human resources office, the human resources director told me that she gets 3,000 to 4,000 resumes per month, for the job I was getting. Many from highly qualified people. I would have never got in the door that way.

If you do Greggl's casting route. Befriend the "B" grade soap opera actresses. They got me into many an exclusive studio party. Once your in, you can ditch the girls (at least for a few hours) and talk up the Directors, Producers, Creative and Development executives. Never saw too many Cinematographers around on that circuit though. If nothing else, its good, Free, food and drink, until you're settled!

Lastly, what Greggl says is correct. I used to see so many celebrities at the Ikea in Burbank (not far from EVS, Dreamworks and Disney animation, Warner Center etc), and I would wonder why are these rich people buying Ikea furniture? Well, one day there was a famous Director in line ahead of me, with his smoking-hot grand-daughter, no joke. Or, at least I thought she was his grand-daughter until he started kissing her!

Good Luck!
 
CineAlta said:
I used to see so many celebrities at the Ikea in Burbank (not far from EVS, Dreamworks and Disney animation, Warner Center etc), and I would wonder why are these rich people buying Ikea furniture?
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I worked at Disney Feature Animation the whole time we were in LA. We eventually moved from Studio City to Burbank, 4 blocks up behind IKEA. My wife actually spent some time working as a Kitchen Planner for a spell. Everyone eventually ends up
at IKEA at some point ;)

That is one thing about the industry.. the networking never stops. Everywhere you
go, the potential for those industry contacts is there and everyone knows it. It can
be exhausting. There are so many 'levels' to Los Angeles. You've got a market that
includes everyone from the major hollywood studios to the wedding videographers.
LA's 'high end' just goes higher than most cities. Finding your spot in that pecking
order can be a challenge, but its worth it. LA work tends to buy you credibility
anywhere if you ever decide to leave.
 
The IKEA in Burbank will become your best friend. And it's close to a very good Virgin Megastore...and Baja Fresh...

The only thing I miss about LA is Amoeba Records and the Archlight movie theatres...the ultimate Saturday double header...
 
The Machinist said:
Hybrid,

Thanks for starting this post. I'm moving out to LA around November next fall and this thread has been very educational. I never would have thought to do this kind of recon myself but it seems moving to the West Coast comes with alot of baggage I didn't even consider. Like needing a fridge. Totally glad i still have the ol' dorm fridge.


I'm totally bricemanning with this post :costumed-smiley-047
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You're welcome. Seriously, you can get any kind of info on this board.
 
Haha...Hybrid...I grew up in Milwaukee and live in NoHo now (so is that one dump to another?). Great location-wise unless you spend most of yer time in Santa Monica, Culver City, etc. What was said about 'safe' areas is pretty true...there are going to patches in most places out here (like Chi-town). I live on a cool street and, yes, there are drug deals, but once everyone knows who you are it's fine. Seriously. It aint as crazy as people think out here. Just stay away from McArthur Park b/c they will shoot you in the face and eat your tongue.
It's gonna be a big change...moving to any new city takes about a year to acclimate. You need anything lemme know. Say hi to Scanner Dan for me...

-Mischief
 
hybridtheory said:
IKEA, Virgin Megastore, and Baja Fresh??? Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot.
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I second that emotion...there's also an In 'n Out Burger there too...it's an orgiastic feast of delights!
 
I can't wait to hit up an In N' Out Burger.

Hoping it can match up to Eagle's Deli in Boston which for now holds the title in my stomach.
 
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