I'm Visiting LA and need help!

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Veteran
Hello everyone,

I'm going to be visiting Los Angeles on my Spring Break from college to just look around at studios (big and small), editing houses, film developing labs, rental houses, and hopefully the ASC clubhouse.

But being from across the country I do not know where good places to go are.

I am asking all of you to PLEASE leave me names (and emails/phone numbers) of any places worth visiting.

Again, I am a senior film student visiting Los Angeles this Spring and am in need of suggestions of great places to visit. I'm not referring to touristy spots but rather the above mentioned places.

I'm always professional and would appreciate the help!

-Ryan
 
Rental house - Wooden Nickel. It's in North Hollywood, I think - might be up in Sun Valley. I don't think I'd rent from anywhere else.

Check out Filmtools in Burbank. The have a lot of lighting gear, grip equiment, expendables, etc.

Let us know when you get here. We can all do an impromptu get together. :)
 
Tom Marshall said:
Rental house - Wooden Nickel. It's in North Hollywood, I think - might be up in Sun Valley. I don't think I'd rent from anywhere else.

Check out Filmtools in Burbank. The have a lot of lighting gear, grip equiment, expendables, etc.

Let us know when you get here. We can all do an impromptu get together. :)
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Try Mole Richardson. I think it's on Highland. Or maybe La Brea.
 
Thanks for the replies! I've been a little busy to keep up with your responses.

I will eventually be looking for a job, but that is not the intent of my visit. It is more or less a large scouting trip to see where I would want to pursue a job or career. I don't want to pack my bags after this summer and show up with no idea where to start.

I'm not very interested in touristy places, but rather wanting to jump into the big and small worth while film places in LA.

Please keep the suggestions coming!
-Ryan
 
Ryan, I think you can learn a lot from this kind of scouting trip. But the more homework you do ahead of time, the more productive it will be. You can't just walk onto a studio lot. They always had guards but it's gotten much worse since 911. And editing houses, labs and rental houses are busy places, so the more you can write or talk to them ahead of time, the better. Focus on what you really want to do (and what you're best at) so you'll be on the right track. I look at it this way, there are two kinds of jobs in the industry - the ones that require people-skills (better for the extrovert) and the ones that require more technical skills (better for the introvert). Decide which you are better at because it will set you on the right track. If you're lucky enough to have both equally, then go for the people side because it will allow you to meet more connections.

I know people who came here knowing no one but with persistence and smarts, got the industry job and became very successful. Typically though, for starter jobs, it helps to be ready to work right away.

Might be worth scanning Craigslist to see what kinds of places are looking to hire to give you some ideas.
 
Tom Marshall said:
The Getty is pretty cool.
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You aint kidding. My brother and I went there a few years back and were blown away by how close you can get to paintings from all the masters, Gogh, Monet, Manet...I mean they are RIGHT there in front of you not behind rope or glass.

You can put your face right up to them and we just giggled because there were subtle security people around...and every time you'd get a hair too close they'd start to swarm in...So, we'd lean in a bit too close then in our peripheral see them start to come towards us then we'd casually move on the next one. We pretended not to notice them but the game was to not have them have to say anything. We were just impressed by their efficiency.

It's like being in a restaurant with an over attentive waiter who fills your glass of water every time you take a sip...

Great museum though...
 
If it helps, I specialize in the camera dept. So rental houses, film labs, and anything with cinematography would be most helpful to me. Thank you so much for the responses already.
 
That does help. First, have you asked any of your professors if they have any connections in LA? I'm always surprised when students don't try that. I'd also search professional areas for a mentor. Find where the cinematographers hang out on outline and try to make a connection. Write your favorite three DPs whose work you admire who live in LA. You might find a mentor or a job that way. Aim high because the better mentor can set your career path.

In case you don't know: theasc.com, cinematographer.com, cinematography.net.

You are in the magic time where you can get away with this stuff. Someone who is just graduating from film school has a golden pass to come out and ask for help this way. Don't waste it.

Good luck.
 
American Film Institute by Los Feliz Blvd / Western ave pretty nice place I had a lighting class there with Josh from DV creators.net
Griffith Park where they shot Rebel without a cause
EVS on Glendale of course, Birns and Sawyer, what's that other video place near film tools where they had the HD boot camp? indie rentals to see the Mini 35.
at the Universal Studios tour you can see students from NYFA shooting on site, the Fast and the Furious cars/props, the De Lorean from BTTF etc.
the Santa Monica pier, Venice Beach, China Town.
Hollywood Blvd. La Brea tar Pits, LACMA. The Los Angeles Film School on
6363 Sunset Boulevard.
hope you have fun.
 
I think you have the right idea. A couple months before graduating I contacted every individual or company in my anticipated line of work, and wheedled interviews; spent four days running from one meeting to the next, and had a 'when can you start?' offer in hand by trip's end...

...break a leg, and kick ass! maybe not in that order...
 
Ok, so to update this thread, I have contacted several companies and organizations who have all, to this date, been very helpful and open to my visit.

I would like to ask again, two weeks out from my trip, to please drop me suggestions of places to go. I've saved up to get to LA for Spring Break and I'm looking to stay busy and milk every penny's worth from the trip.

So far places I've contacted are Arri, Panavision, Clairmont Camera, Wooden Nickel, Mole Richardson, The ASC, FotoKem, and some individuals.

Keep the suggestions coming, because I would much appreciate it. Camera department and cinematography are my interests.

Thanks
 
are you over 21? do yourself a favor and set aside a few hours one night for the madness of Jumbo's Clown Room.
 
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