Is this some form of reverse psychology? You guys are trying to get me to move there, aren't you! I'm so flattered. 
To move or not to move; what would you do?
- Thread starter Cracker Funk
- Start date
here's my $0.02.
if you're going to go to LA eventually, go now. No sense waiting around. Wait for what? a lizard bird to land on your shoulder with tickets to a magical blimp that will make your dreams come true? Nah, you have to Seize the carp. Grab life by the grapes and say, "I do what I want, Damnit!"
Making films takes time, and if you know you want to be in LA, why not spend that time there. Who cares about how big of a fish you are. Go to LA and find some like minded minnows like yourself who want to make a cool movie and are willing to put everything they got into it.
In my experience, I would say being the big fish is the worst place to be. Where I live, I am the big fish, because the rest of the fish around here only aspire to watch the next episode of "cake boss". Some tiny fish there. The little fish will keep you small. If you want to be a bigger fish, you have to tangle with bigger fishies. Its just like the first final fantazy game. What, are you going to hang out and kill orcs for 20 hours till you are tough enough to move to the next land? No, you go for the lizard men with the sharp pointy sticks! They're worth more XP!!!!
I digress. Dare to be bold. No one ever did anything great by playing it safe.
if you're going to go to LA eventually, go now. No sense waiting around. Wait for what? a lizard bird to land on your shoulder with tickets to a magical blimp that will make your dreams come true? Nah, you have to Seize the carp. Grab life by the grapes and say, "I do what I want, Damnit!"
Making films takes time, and if you know you want to be in LA, why not spend that time there. Who cares about how big of a fish you are. Go to LA and find some like minded minnows like yourself who want to make a cool movie and are willing to put everything they got into it.
In my experience, I would say being the big fish is the worst place to be. Where I live, I am the big fish, because the rest of the fish around here only aspire to watch the next episode of "cake boss". Some tiny fish there. The little fish will keep you small. If you want to be a bigger fish, you have to tangle with bigger fishies. Its just like the first final fantazy game. What, are you going to hang out and kill orcs for 20 hours till you are tough enough to move to the next land? No, you go for the lizard men with the sharp pointy sticks! They're worth more XP!!!!
I digress. Dare to be bold. No one ever did anything great by playing it safe.
I starting thinking and now I think I may be on to something maybe instead of moving to LA you should instead be looking for a DP partner to work with on films. Maybe you just need to find the right guy that has enough experience and is willing to work with you on the film. Maybe someone that is an up an coming DP or someone that is a DP that was impressed by your film Anti Hero. So thinking in these terms maybe you should look for a DP and then move to where he is or see if he will move out to where you live or to LA together.
Just for the heck of it google DP willing to work for free and see what is out there and what they are looking for. I read a thread in another film making community that talked about it. I would post it here but I think that is against the rules. Anyways, I think looking for a good DP that you can afford to work with is a good idea.
You need to start networking with film people so you can start to build up contacts for cast and crew. If moving is needed to find a network then you may need to do that. I does not necessarly need to be LA though it could be another film friendly area.
You could offer to be DP on some other peoples projects and find crew and cast that way for contacts. Then later do your directing on your project. Just an idea. If there is anything you can do to help other peoples projects so you can network is a good idea. Is there any film clubs you can join? Just an idea. I know we have some in Indinapolis where i used to live. I meet directors , actors, dps, etc... that way. The more people you know and the more you work with them the more likely they may let you borrow equipment too. Do you know any small production companies near by to network with. Maybe get a job at one of the production companies as an editor or something. It is a good way to meet people. Just an idea. The 48 hour competition is another good networking opp since you could join another crue to meet new people.
I agree that moving somewhere that has the major film industry work going on would be a great move sooner or later. You could go there and give it a shot and make contacts and build a network. If it does not work out then at least you tried and you could always move back to VA. It all depends on how much risk you are willing to take. You may have to start small to meet people working on major films and work your way up. Even if it is a small unpaid job it could be a good networking job working on a major film set. Plus, if you pay attention you may learn things too.
Just for the heck of it google DP willing to work for free and see what is out there and what they are looking for. I read a thread in another film making community that talked about it. I would post it here but I think that is against the rules. Anyways, I think looking for a good DP that you can afford to work with is a good idea.
You need to start networking with film people so you can start to build up contacts for cast and crew. If moving is needed to find a network then you may need to do that. I does not necessarly need to be LA though it could be another film friendly area.
You could offer to be DP on some other peoples projects and find crew and cast that way for contacts. Then later do your directing on your project. Just an idea. If there is anything you can do to help other peoples projects so you can network is a good idea. Is there any film clubs you can join? Just an idea. I know we have some in Indinapolis where i used to live. I meet directors , actors, dps, etc... that way. The more people you know and the more you work with them the more likely they may let you borrow equipment too. Do you know any small production companies near by to network with. Maybe get a job at one of the production companies as an editor or something. It is a good way to meet people. Just an idea. The 48 hour competition is another good networking opp since you could join another crue to meet new people.
I agree that moving somewhere that has the major film industry work going on would be a great move sooner or later. You could go there and give it a shot and make contacts and build a network. If it does not work out then at least you tried and you could always move back to VA. It all depends on how much risk you are willing to take. You may have to start small to meet people working on major films and work your way up. Even if it is a small unpaid job it could be a good networking job working on a major film set. Plus, if you pay attention you may learn things too.
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Like the movie Catfish...kinda.
EDIT: Not really, but I just wanted an excuse to post the quote. Kind of similar though.
yes, exactly, in a way, even though I never saw that movie.
like here, I could never find anyone that would want to make a film. Much less have the drive and talent to do it. But if I went to a bigger place, I would be smalltime, but I might find some smalltime people just like me, and maybe I wouldn't be a soft mushy tasteless catfish. meow.
Okay, I just read the dude's blog, and actually, I think it's rather well-written. I think we're seeing this from completely different perspectives.
Based on what he stated prior (as well as some statements in this very thread), it sounds to me like "inhospitable" and "culture aimed at thwarting" might actually be nothing more than astute observations.
I'm convinced that now is not the time for me to move to Cali. I think the 2nd feature will wrap much sooner, if I stay away from LA.
Anyway, this post isn't meant to be confrontational. Perhaps we don't interpret this particular blog in the same way, but I agree with your advice, and I thank everyone who has offered their thoughts in this thread. Decision is final. Not moving to LA. Yet.
I didn't take it as confrontational. I respect his opinion and experiences.
LA is not inhospitable to filmmakers. And the culture here encourages
independent filmmaking. This is a great place to make movies, filled with
talented and dedicated people who will bend over backwards to help out
a serious, positive, dedicated filmmaker.
He's had some rough times. So have I. So has every filmmaker trying to
get a movie made. This blog post points out all the difficult challenges a
filmmaker will face. Astute observations? Sure. As I said, I could take it
point by point and show his view and experience are very narrow. But I
won't. He is absolutely correct.
Los Angeles is a very difficult place to live and make movies. It takes a
strong person who looks at the positive and meet each challenge. That,
too, is an astute observation. And there are many, excellent, beautiful
places in this great country and across this world to make movies.
What struck me about this blog and the posts here were that so many
felt the need to put down and actually bash Los Angeles. I don't understand
that. I guess I just come from a different place. Anyone who wants to make
a movie in the town or city where they live get full support from me. I would
never even think of bashing or putting down an entire city, town or region.
LA is not inhospitable to filmmakers. And the culture here encourages
independent filmmaking. This is a great place to make movies, filled with
talented and dedicated people who will bend over backwards to help out
a serious, positive, dedicated filmmaker.
He's had some rough times. So have I. So has every filmmaker trying to
get a movie made. This blog post points out all the difficult challenges a
filmmaker will face. Astute observations? Sure. As I said, I could take it
point by point and show his view and experience are very narrow. But I
won't. He is absolutely correct.
Los Angeles is a very difficult place to live and make movies. It takes a
strong person who looks at the positive and meet each challenge. That,
too, is an astute observation. And there are many, excellent, beautiful
places in this great country and across this world to make movies.
What struck me about this blog and the posts here were that so many
felt the need to put down and actually bash Los Angeles. I don't understand
that. I guess I just come from a different place. Anyone who wants to make
a movie in the town or city where they live get full support from me. I would
never even think of bashing or putting down an entire city, town or region.
No, I meant me. Sometimes, I can come across sounding like a smartass (sometimes intentionally), and just wanted to make sure that I didn't sound like that here.
Full agreement. Cheers.
Steven Soderbergh Ends Movie Career to Focus on Painting
There's an opening in Hollywood, Funkster, but you gotta move quick!
There's an opening in Hollywood, Funkster, but you gotta move quick!
Interestingly (and counter to my advice to postpone LA until after CF makes his second movie), I've debated this question from the side of getting more work. I know a lot of production has fled the state for cheaper pastures, but there is still likely to be more work for camera crew down south than up north.
The problem is that I don't want to skip without having something locked in; like being on a show for a season, or getting into a rental house somewhere.
The problem is that I don't want to skip without having something locked in; like being on a show for a season, or getting into a rental house somewhere.
yeah, they're doing a lot of movies in Georgia lately. I remember when I was living down there I heard about a casting call for a zombie movie. I didn't think much about it, then zombieland came out and I kicked myself in the face. I could have been a zombie!!!
Production is up 20% in Los Angeles. Almost everyone I know is working.
It's wonderful!
It's wonderful!