Where to Live in LA? (Freelancer)

salils

salils

Well-known member
I'm an AC, I also DP and do G&E. I don't own a Red but I do own a pretty extensive HDSLR cinema style camera package and a small grip/lighting package.

Any suggestions on where to live? I'm potentially moving from Chicago to LA soon. I have some gear (about about 20k worth) so I want to live in a fairly safe area but not break the bank on rent. I don't really care about swimming pools and stuff like that. Need to have parking and be close to potential film and video shooting areas.
 
I have a good buddy in Hollywood, rents a studio in a fairly safe area for about $800, has a private parking space, they're always filming stuff around there, about 10 blocks from Hollywood Blvd. Close to freeways.
 
I used to live in Hollywood. When I moved was about the time that I had an uninsured Cartoni F102 stolen out of my buddy's car directly outside the apartment.

I have some friends that live in Burbank and they don't have any problems getting from A to B. Also, they share a 2 bedroom place with 2 full baths for about 850/month. Really good neighborhood too. They found the place by chance, and the landlord is cutting them a HUGE deal, so I would expect a normal apartment in the area like that to go for about 400/month more than they are paying.

There's a lot of work for DSLRs in the area, but there are also a lot of people looking for it. I have seen big name cinematographers take 300/day jobs. I know of one in particular that I operated for that was taking (roughly) 500/day, as where 10 years ago he would have laughed in someone's face for offering him that.
 
The Burbank, Los Feliz, Glendale areas are close to Hollywood and the Valley Studios, with decent neighborhoods and decent rents. Living on the west side (Santa Monica, Westwood, West LA, Culver City) gets you closer to Sony and Fox studios, but is much, much more expensive. Living in Hollywood puts you smack dab in the middle, but the safety of the neighborhood can vary from block to block, so you must be careful.
 
trickhog has basically the answer I would give. Just to add. Getting around in Los Angeles, at any time of day takes time. Your looking at about an hour no matter how far your going. Santa Monica is a little worse because its a nightmare to get or out due to its location. But many production and post houses have moved there over the past couple of years. As a freelancer, thing is, you have no idea where you're going to be on any given day. You could be working one day in Sherman Oaks and the next in Long Beach depending on your feelings on choosing work.

For affordability your looking at Valley from Tarzana to Burbank. Moving up would be moving over the hill into the Hollywood area. The big spot right now is Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Korea Town. Rents vary from high to moderate accordingly. Santa Monica is by far the highest for rents and the most difficult to get around to and from as I said, but people live there for location and tend to work in Santa Monica (from my experience)

Good luck
 
Stay awake from Downtown LA, I recommend Westwood or Glendale, Venice is nice yet pricey. Being close to a Freeway means nothing as they are always jammed. You will be spending $1000 a month at least. You can find a Studio for maybe $800 but that is rare.
 
I live in Burbank and have my office/color suite in Glendale. I own my home but I know the rents around here aren't bad. My office in downtown Glendale is only $400/mo. Both neighborhoods are great and safe for you and your gear.
 
Chris S. Alexander said:
I used to live in Hollywood. When I moved was about the time that I had an uninsured Cartoni F102 stolen out of my buddy's car directly outside the apartment.

I have some friends that live in Burbank and they don't have any problems getting from A to B. Also, they share a 2 bedroom place with 2 full baths for about 850/month. Really good neighborhood too. They found the place by chance, and the landlord is cutting them a HUGE deal, so I would expect a normal apartment in the area like that to go for about 400/month more than they are paying.

There's a lot of work for DSLRs in the area, but there are also a lot of people looking for it. I have seen big name cinematographers take 300/day jobs. I know of one in particular that I operated for that was taking (roughly) 500/day, as where 10 years ago he would have laughed in someone's face for offering him that.
Click to expand...

What type of work is there for DSLRs? Also what big names are you talking about?
 
Foster Kane said:
What type of work is there for DSLRs? Also what big names are you talking about?
Click to expand...

I would rather not say any names, just out of respect.

As far as work for DSLRs...you can do: music videos, commercials, films, weddings, documentaries, and plenty of other kinds of work with DSLR cameras. As far as work that is available...work can be few and far between when you are first getting started. Connections are what get you the furthest, so every time you meet someone be sure to give them a business card or at least some way to contact you. A lot of people offer 200/day for short film work (if you don't have an amazing reel and you have equipment), and those kinds of jobs can be found on Craigslist. A lot of people are looking for 5D and 7D owner/operators. If you are responding to a Craigslist ad it is usually best to be the very first one in their inbox (after about 20 or so people start to lose patience).

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
You can always live in the Pasadena area which is still the LA district for much cheaper.

I was raised in the Monrovia/West Covina/Alhambra areas and they were safe for the most part.
 
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