Moving to CA from England advice

M

movieman

Member
Hi all,

I am considering moving to CA next year and wondered if anyone had any advice of getting work.

I have directing experience of shorts and music promos. Edited a lot on Avid Express Pro. Created motion grpahics in AE for titles etc... and modelled and animated in Lightwave 7 for various projects including pre-visuals.

Am I doomed to failure with such a goal? Or would this be a good thing career wise?

Would welcome any thoughts.

Lee
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

Where in CA are you moving?
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

The first thing you will need to consider is a work visa. You will have to find a company willing to sponser you for it before you come to the states.
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

Hi - thanks for that guy's.

I'm looking to move to the Frisco area of CA. How do I go about getting a company to sponsor me? Most companies that I have spoken to want me to be living their before I can get an interview or meeting. This seems to be a catch 22.

Any more thoughts very welcome.

Cheers!

Lee
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

You will have to impress a company with your talents enough to make them want you. You will need a great reel and resume. It will cost the company up to $3500 to get you a work visa and they are much harder to get since 9/11.
You could come out and try and visit, but if the Fed Gov finds out you are seeking employment on a tourist visa, they wont be too pleased.
My best recommendation is to get together the best work you can and send it to as many places as possible. Explain your situation and hopefully one of them will come through for you.
Good Luck
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

I've got a bit of experience in this subject, but more on the acting side. I can tell you this with certainty, of all the hundreds of foriegn actors I've seen come to the US on educational, tourist and practical training visas with eyes set on a professional acting career...none of them have ever managed to translate their desires into any sort of permenant residence or legal employment.

THe only practical way to get a working visa is to have a company sponsor you and the only way anyone is going to sponsor you is if you are amazingly good. They have to have a legitimate reason to want you over any of the thousands of tallented unemployed americans currently begging for a chance in the film/video/television industries.

It's not that it can't happen, it certainly does happen, but it's going to be harder to get legal residence and work here then it is to be successful in the creative industries in your homeland.

Nothing's stopping you from trying, just be realistic about your dreams and don't screw with INS. They hold grudges.
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

[quote author=movieman link=board=Jobs;num=1096472830;start=0#3 date=10/14/04 at 05:09:24]I'm looking to move to the Frisco area of CA.[/quote]

Don't use the term "Frisco" when talking about San Francisco. Not a well liked term here and might give you bad points in an interview ;)
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

I'd have to concur with Barnes. Try and get to the top of the game in your chosen field in the U.K. then try and move here.
It's going to be tough and you have to be realistic. But it iis not impossible.
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

Thanks guys - everyone for there advice. I'll certainly continue to plan a move with all the above in mind. I'll let you know how all goes as and when I decide to go.

Cheers!

Lee
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

[quote author=Hans link=board=Jobs;num=1096472830;start=0#6 date=10/14/04 at 11:07:21]

Don't use the term "Frisco" when talking about San Francisco.  Not a well liked term here and might give you bad points in an interview  ;)
[/quote]

Forgive me Hans as this is in no way a shot at you. My sister in law is from a suburb outside FRISCO and I know another girl I know has family in FRISCO. Now, me, being from San Diego always says FRISCO when referring to San Francisco and you know what these 2 ladies say?

"Jooooohhhnnnn. No one ever says Friscoooo. They haaateeeee thhhaatttttt."

You know what I say? Who cares?

And honestly, no smack intended towards you. It just cracks me up tp always hear people that are living in the Bay Area say this. Maybe you can enlighten me on this little Pet Peeve the poor souls of Frisco have about this.
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

People do what you are trying to do all the time. There are many FX companies in Southern California that need experienced animators and sponsor people all of the time. There are also a few production companies that have facilities in both countries – you might start there.

There is nothing to prevent you from visiting the US and interviewing with companies that might be willing to sponsor you. However, you will have to return to the UK and re-enter with the right visa. It is expensive and takes three to six months, so your resume, demo reel and interviewing skills need to be at the upper end of the food chain.

In addition, I’m not sure about the “Frisco” market, but in LA everything begins to slow down this time of year and I haven’t heard of any big features being green lit that would drive up demand for employees. This is a very itinerate industry, keep reading the trades to see who’s doing what and try to time your visit to coincide with demand.

Good luck
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

its going to be hard this time of year indeed. many of the big vfx places in the frisco area are laying off peeps. ESC i think is almost completly shut down and i think ILM is letting go of some peeps. so competition will be rough. the best time of year is usualy around summer when films startup.

good luck man.
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

i honestly never herd of it as frisco until now...but i will be calling it that from now on ::)
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

"I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the *Frisco* bay
Cause I've had nothing to live for
And looks like nothin's gonna come my way..."

"The Dock of the Bay"
-Otis Redding
 
Re: Moving to CA from England advice

[quote author=Terry_Lasater link=board=Jobs;num=1096472830;start=0#14 date=10/24/04 at 23:21:51]"I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the *Frisco* bay[/quote]

Exactly, he's from Georgia! Not from San Francisco. That's why he calls it Frisco. Oh, and 'cause it sounds better in the lyrics! :)

No worries though. Anyone that says Frisco while here helps to tag them as tourists and to be charged more ;D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top