Filmmaking Cities

B

BennyWhiskers

Active member
I'm ready to make a move to commit to filmmaking full time.

I don't want to start a sh*tstorm, but with the vast difference of opinions in here, it might be unavoidable.

Anyways, my question to you members, mods, people who read threads but aren't registered, everyone, which city would be the best place to learn this craft while networking and not going completely broke? (Maybe even making a few bucks)

I've narrowed it down to three, I'll post them and give their pro's and cons.

1 - LA

Pros - "Mecca" of film, great place to network, abundance of like-minded people, once you get your foot in the door alot can happen.

Cons - Absolute mess of a city, dirty, horrible traffic, abundance of scamsters, most networks are private, very sketch areas, expensive.

2 - Austin

Pros - growing film community, more independent mindset, the music scene is top knotch(I know it isn't related, but this is a huge plus for me), cheaper to live (overall)

Cons - How much film work is their? How big is the community? Hopefully not a bunch of hipsters(pet peeve of mine).

3 - Albuquerque

Pros - Ranked #1 on filmmaking "Places to live", apparently lots of work, nice city, artsy.

Cons - Expensive.

Notable Mentions(if your going to suggest these cities your wasting your time).
new orleans, detroit.


Let me hear your guy's thought's and I may sound biased, but know this, I went to uni 10 min from newark, so i refuse to spend anymore time in straight up sh*tholes, which is why I'm hesitant to go to LA.

Thanks
 
I moved to Los Angeles four months ago from South Florida where I got degrees in Theatre, Computer Animation, and Motion Picture Production. I love it here. It's not very expensive (in North Hollywood at least), Trader Joe's groceries are amazing and cheap, and there's always something to do. That said, it's extremely difficult to break into the business right now. Even with quite a bit experience or education, be prepared to work a non-paying internship for a while. Even then, the places offering internships will often disregard you if you aren't in school and able to receive college credit. It's just a really tough time to break in, now more than ever.
 
vcassel said:
I moved to Los Angeles four months ago from South Florida where I got degrees in Theatre, Computer Animation, and Motion Picture Production. I love it here. It's not very expensive (in North Hollywood at least), Trader Joe's groceries are amazing and cheap, and there's always something to do. That said, it's extremely difficult to break into the business right now. Even with quite a bit experience or education, be prepared to work a non-paying internship for a while. Even then, the places offering internships will often disregard you if you aren't in school and able to receive college credit. It's just a really tough time to break in, now more than ever.
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Wonder why that is, you think during a depression people would be working jobs they could actually feed themselves with, not working for free lol. Are you a freelancer?
 
BennyWhiskers said:
Wonder why that is, you think during a depression people would be working jobs they could actually feed themselves with, not working for free lol. Are you a freelancer?
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Trying to be. I shot a contracted book pitch with an actress recently and I'm working on some VFX and digital matte shots on a film right now at no pay. In the meantime I study Particle Flow in 3DS Max, compositing, editing, general filmmaking, and writing my script all while trying to churn out my first demo reel. It's been tough and a bit depressing, but at least I came here with a large savings to back me up.
 
vcassel said:
Trying to be. I shot a contracted book pitch with an actress recently and I'm working on some VFX and digital matte shots on a film right now at no pay. In the meantime I study Particle Flow in 3DS Max, compositing, editing, general filmmaking, and writing my script all while trying to churn out my first demo reel. It's been tough and a bit depressing, but at least I came here with a large savings to back me up.
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So I take it your the director, editor, writer, producer, pretty much all the works? I'm teaching myself AE but not skilled enough to do capitalize on it.

How long did it take you to become familiar with LA?
 
BennyWhiskers said:
So I take it your the director, editor, writer, producer, pretty much all the works? I'm teaching myself AE but not skilled enough to do capitalize on it.
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Yeah, my longterm goal is to write, develop, and direct like just about everyone else here. I learned all that stuff in order to up my production values on the cheap.

How long did it take you to become familiar with LA?
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Well, I lived here 10 years ago for just under a year. My brother-in-law is a storyboard director for some pretty big shows, and I stayed with him and my sister. Back then I didn't have a car or Google Maps, so I never really strayed beyond the Melrose Ave and Beverly Hills areas. Now my girlfriend and I take trips every weekend to Magnolia Village, or Pasadena, or Silverlake, etc. Los Angeles is HUGE, and every section has its own cool thing going, but it hasn't been very overwhelming and we're becoming accustomed to it all. It helps when there's so many shows, stores, and amazing/cheap restaurants to keep you occupied. And if you ever want to get away from it all, just take a scenic drive through the mountains.
 
vcassel said:
Yeah, my longterm goal is to write, develop, and direct like just about everyone else here. I learned all that stuff in order to up my production values on the cheap.



Well, I lived here 10 years ago for just under a year. My brother-in-law is a storyboard director for some pretty big shows, and I stayed with him and my sister. Back then I didn't have a car or Google Maps, so I never really strayed beyond the Melrose Ave and Beverly Hills areas. Now my girlfriend and I take trips every weekend to Magnolia Village, or Pasadena, or Silverlake, etc. Los Angeles is HUGE, and every section has its own cool thing going, but it hasn't been very overwhelming and we're becoming accustomed to it all. It helps when there's so many shows, stores, and amazing/cheap restaurants to keep you occupied. And if you ever want to get away from it all, just take a scenic drive through the mountains.
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That sounds pretty enticing, I would probably take a trip to the mountains every weekend just for a mini-escape lol. What would you say is the best place to network for an outsider? Events, parties, forums like this?
 
BennyWhiskers said:
2 - Austin

Pros - growing film community, more independent mindset, the music scene is top knotch(I know it isn't related, but this is a huge plus for me), cheaper to live (overall)

Cons - How much film work is their? How big is the community? Hopefully not a bunch of hipsters(pet peeve of mine).
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Come to DALLAS! Austin gets this huge rep for being so different and having this huge art following and for being the only major liberal city in Texas, etc., etc. But to be honest, Dallas has just as much to give, minus the hipsters.

Most likely you will not be supporting yourself by doing exactly what you want to do - make movies! - so you will need corporate gigs, contract pieces, small projects, and television work to fall back on. At least, I would assume so. You may hit it big or already have!

Several major companies have their headquarters here in Dallas or at least in the DFW area. One of them, Southwest Airlines, I am interning with over the summer, shooting and editing all day and getting paid!

We have two TV shows being filmed in Dallas - Chase and The Good Guys. I know several people - Grips, PA's, - who work on those shows, and I've managed to gain some connections through them.

DFW has several major studios here for television, and some have been used for film: Studios 121 and The Studios at Las Colinas are the first that come to mind.

There are a ton of universities in DFW that have film programs, which means there are projects and people you can get connected to.

The Dallas International Film Festival is here (which starts next week, I believe).

There is a huge movement right now to revive parts of Dallas, and The Arts are definitely at the head of that movement.

Compared to LA, the living expenses here are very affordable. You don't have to live in the heart of Uptown Dallas to find work. I live 10 minutes north of DFW International Airport and I have no problems making it over to Studios 121 in Fort Worth, shooting a photo gig in downtown Dallas, while working and studying at UT Arlington (right between Dallas and Fort Worth).


BennyWhiskers said:
3 - Albuquerque

Pros - Ranked #1 on filmmaking "Places to live", apparently lots of work, nice city, artsy.

Cons - Expensive.

Notable Mentions(if your going to suggest these cities your wasting your time).
new orleans, detroit.
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Albuquerque? I never knew this was a big film town. I have been there several times. It is stunningly gorgeous (much appreciated from their famous hot air balloon rides!) But who ranked it the number #1 address for filmmakers? It is very much dedicated to the arts, but I never knew there was a real film scene there.

It is a beautiful place to live. The weather is great. But, yes, living expenses can be a tad pricey. There's a reason a lot of people retire there.


Good luck!


(I don't know why, but my posts seemed to have taken on more exclamation marks than usual.)
 
BennyWhiskers said:
That sounds pretty enticing, I would probably take a trip to the mountains every weekend just for a mini-escape lol. What would you say is the best place to network for an outsider? Events, parties, forums like this?
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I used Meetup.com for a while. I mostly used it for street photography meetups at places like Downtown and Venice Beach, but I also went to a few screenwriting meetups. I've mostly become a shut-in lately due to my studies, though. The best way to get the hook up is to P.A. I hear; work your a@$ off and then make it be known what direction you want to take your career. The people who can open doors for you are obliging if you impress them enough. I've heard of people advancing very quickly this way.

There are some pretty amazing mountain drives around here. Mulholland Hwy and Topanga Canyon Road through the Santa Monicas are good starters, but they're short and full of motorcyclists and people testing out their sports cars on the weekends. I recommend Little Tujunga Rd through the San Gabriel mountains and Angeles National Forest. Even the 14 through the San Gabriels and out the other side to the desert and Palmdale is a fun ride. I'm a big nature and hiking buff and there's plenty of that here.
 
Just to add to the cons of living and filmmaking in L.A.--it's really difficult to get away with filming anywhere around here without permits, and permits are quite pricey here from what I've been told. It's hard enough just taking photographs around downtown with a small tripod without security being on you right away.
 
vcassel said:
Just to add to the cons of living and filmmaking in L.A.--it's really difficult to get away with filming anywhere around here without permits, and permits are quite pricey here from what I've been told. It's hard enough just taking photographs around downtown with a small tripod without security being on you right away.
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Thanks for the well-thought out responses vcassel, that's def good stuff to know.
 
Chicago is getting pretty decent film/tv work ever since we passed one of those tax breaks where you get something like 40% of your money back when you film.

Pros: Cooler than LA. Less crazy/expensive than NY.
Cons: It's not quite up there with the other major cities in film production YET, and it's cold as HELL in the winter.
 
Southern Louisiana (Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, New Orleans) has had some good stuff in the past, and from what I was hearing before I moved back to the DC area, was that 'they' were getting ready to build a big 'ole studio in Baton Rouge or there abouts.

Pros: Food is AWESOME!
Cons: They pride themselves w/ the whole southern hospitality thing, but thats a joke.
 
shyguyfilms said:
Southern Louisiana (Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, New Orleans) has had some good stuff in the past, and from what I was hearing before I moved back to the DC area, was that 'they' were getting ready to build a big 'ole studio in Baton Rouge or there abouts.

Pros: Food is AWESOME!
Cons: They pride themselves w/ the whole southern hospitality thing, but thats a joke.
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I don't want to hijack this thread but I wanted to say that I looove New Orleans. I visited once on my way out here and it was not at all what I expected it to be. It's big, and exciting, and amazing. If there was more of an industry going on over there, I'd move and never look back.
 
What about Portland, Oregon? I have heard that it is pretty good for freelancers up there. Don’t know first hand yet, but will be moving there in early April so I will let you know. Don't come to Cleveland, Ohio though. Detroit is the one place worse than this city, but at least they have a decent film buzz going. Cleveland has a few major movies that come in because of the tax bracket, but they all bring in out of town crews for the shoot. You are lucky if you can somehow manage to get a job as a PA out here. For boring corporate stuff it is pretty great here though. Lots of Hospitals. Cleveland dose have a pretty good community of indie filmmakers, just hardly any jobs that pay more than a pat on the back. Cleveland has some great people, but that is it.
 
Austin is ok depending on what you want to do. It's an awesome city, but there's not much paying film work here. Lots and lots of people who are "into" filmmaking, but only a small number doing it for a living.
 
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