the moving to LA thread
- Thread starter Mindy
- Start date
Hello LA people!
I'm actually doing it...taking the plung and the much needed change of pace of living in LA. So please advice me with whatever you want...I'm pretty much going out looking for an entertainment office job. It's what I do here in NYC, and I figure I don't want to shock my reality too much right off the bat. I also want to take classes. Can anyone share with me the pros and cons of Groundlings vs. IO West? And any other options out there as well?
I have a place to live in Hollywood and will be purchacing a car (can't wait to drive again!!!) once I land.
I'll be seeing you all very soon!
Katrina
I'm actually doing it...taking the plung and the much needed change of pace of living in LA. So please advice me with whatever you want...I'm pretty much going out looking for an entertainment office job. It's what I do here in NYC, and I figure I don't want to shock my reality too much right off the bat. I also want to take classes. Can anyone share with me the pros and cons of Groundlings vs. IO West? And any other options out there as well?
I have a place to live in Hollywood and will be purchacing a car (can't wait to drive again!!!) once I land.
I'll be seeing you all very soon!
Katrina
I think if you have experience in entertainment jobs, it shouldn't be that hard. There are a lot of temp agencies that specialize in Industry gigs. Friedman (Freedman?) is one.
You can start with that and tell them you're looking for permanent stuff. I know Paramount hires a lot of folks that way, and Disney...
As far as classes, it really depends on what you want. I've heard that Groundlings is VERY expensive, LONG and guarantees nothing. At IO West your chances of getting on-stage (either on a team or in one of the many shows that cater to getting students on-stage and involved) are way better, and it's less expensive. Groundlings is mostly sketch, IO West is mostly improv(though there are opportunities to take additional writing workshops).
That's my 2 cents.
You can start with that and tell them you're looking for permanent stuff. I know Paramount hires a lot of folks that way, and Disney...
As far as classes, it really depends on what you want. I've heard that Groundlings is VERY expensive, LONG and guarantees nothing. At IO West your chances of getting on-stage (either on a team or in one of the many shows that cater to getting students on-stage and involved) are way better, and it's less expensive. Groundlings is mostly sketch, IO West is mostly improv(though there are opportunities to take additional writing workshops).
That's my 2 cents.
Right Connections is an entertainment-only temp company that I worked for about 7 years ago. If you can type well, you're in. They deal with Disney a lot (back then that was $12 an hour), plus studios and production companies all over town. They used to be on La Cienega, around Melrose.
If you want sketch and a lot of politics, go to Groundlings. If you want good improv (and acting) training, and don't care about getting famous, do I.O. I can get more specific if you want.
Dave
If you want sketch and a lot of politics, go to Groundlings. If you want good improv (and acting) training, and don't care about getting famous, do I.O. I can get more specific if you want.
Dave
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Man, I was just talking about this last night. I take class at both IO and the Groundlings. And, I can't understand when anyone uses the term "politics." There is a long wait between Level 2 and Level 3 at Groundlings. Also, you have to be passed up to the next level by your instructor. I don't know if I call that politics, it's just their way of running their school. I have gotten along with all my teachers and I was held back on one occassion thus far. It was the right choice.
Then, the other day I was taking a long-form class at a small theater in Santa Monica and some girl started talking about the "politics" that are so prevelant at IO West. She started talking about some Chicago/LA rift. I don't know, maybe I'm not far enough along, but everyone I've met at IO is awesome. Very welcoming. I think it's just different strokes for different folks.
Groundlings stresses Who, What, Where to initiate scenes. IO stresses relationship. I'm really happy with the track I took. Level 1 is almost Spolinesque at Groundlings putting the focus on the game. I feel that is neglected at IO. IO strives to make character connections that can hold up over the long-haul. I feel that is neglected at Groundlings. I'd say, go see shows everywhere you can. Find the ones that speak to you and take that path (kind of Amy Poehler's advice from the forum). Either way you go, don't think about being famous and you'll learn more.
Then, the other day I was taking a long-form class at a small theater in Santa Monica and some girl started talking about the "politics" that are so prevelant at IO West. She started talking about some Chicago/LA rift. I don't know, maybe I'm not far enough along, but everyone I've met at IO is awesome. Very welcoming. I think it's just different strokes for different folks.
Groundlings stresses Who, What, Where to initiate scenes. IO stresses relationship. I'm really happy with the track I took. Level 1 is almost Spolinesque at Groundlings putting the focus on the game. I feel that is neglected at IO. IO strives to make character connections that can hold up over the long-haul. I feel that is neglected at Groundlings. I'd say, go see shows everywhere you can. Find the ones that speak to you and take that path (kind of Amy Poehler's advice from the forum). Either way you go, don't think about being famous and you'll learn more.
Some advise: I've seen enough friends move here now that I would say it totally depends on the time of year, and what is important to you. If you want to live cheap and you're not particular about where, at this time of year, I'd say you'll have no problem. My neice just found a huge 3 bedroom in, let's call it, East Hollywood, for about $1800.
Now, I wouldn't want to live there(on the street that she's on, I mean-some streets are nicer than others), as a woman, alone, but I'm also a bit jaded these days. If I were right out of college I'd probably care less.
But it's a nice place from what I understand.
January is a hard time to find places because it's pilot season and a lot of folks are looking and even though it's mostly short term, landlords seem to feel they can charge whatever they want and if you don't want it someone else will.
My 2 cents.
Now, I wouldn't want to live there(on the street that she's on, I mean-some streets are nicer than others), as a woman, alone, but I'm also a bit jaded these days. If I were right out of college I'd probably care less.
But it's a nice place from what I understand.
January is a hard time to find places because it's pilot season and a lot of folks are looking and even though it's mostly short term, landlords seem to feel they can charge whatever they want and if you don't want it someone else will.
My 2 cents.
You will be bullied into submission and pronouncing it incorrectly within a month! Los FElayz! You cannot go against them, their will is more powerful.
That's close to where I almost moved in, and where my friend DOES live. There is a (or two, more precisely) brick buildings next to each other, on Vermont, right across the street from the Dresdon. But that's about a block north of you, between Hollywood and Franklin.
Do you need a gym?
You all might want to start checking out this site --I have it as a favorite:
http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/index.html
That's close to where I almost moved in, and where my friend DOES live. There is a (or two, more precisely) brick buildings next to each other, on Vermont, right across the street from the Dresdon. But that's about a block north of you, between Hollywood and Franklin.
Do you need a gym?
You all might want to start checking out this site --I have it as a favorite:
http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/index.html
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Mindy -- my fiancee is moving Spet 1. I'm joining her in October.
I picked a place in 3 days. I logged on to Westsiderentals.com, printed out 4 pages of apartments, called and looked at 15-20 of them, then settled on my fave.
Mindy, baby, if you need a place to crash while you hunt for YOUR dream-apartment, let me know!
EMAIL ME: SamRNYC@aol.com
I picked a place in 3 days. I logged on to Westsiderentals.com, printed out 4 pages of apartments, called and looked at 15-20 of them, then settled on my fave.
Mindy, baby, if you need a place to crash while you hunt for YOUR dream-apartment, let me know!
EMAIL ME: SamRNYC@aol.com
Adios Chicago
I am also moving to LA this Fall/Winter, but from Chicago. In fact, I'm visiting this weekend and am really excited. Is there any other website, besides the IRC where people post want ads? Basically, I might need a roommate and I don't know what a good source would be to find that. It would be nice to live with someone who is in the improv community so that I won't totally be home sick. Any advice? Thanks guys.
I am also moving to LA this Fall/Winter, but from Chicago. In fact, I'm visiting this weekend and am really excited. Is there any other website, besides the IRC where people post want ads? Basically, I might need a roommate and I don't know what a good source would be to find that. It would be nice to live with someone who is in the improv community so that I won't totally be home sick. Any advice? Thanks guys.
My friends reccomended westsiderentals also....I'm going to sign up soon because I think I'm moving in September (at least for awhile).....Where do you reccomend living? I haven't seen that much yet but so far I really like West Hollywood, near the standard and House Of Blues.....it's pretty close to stores, restaurants and The Beverly Center, right? I want to live close to The El Capitan where Kimmel is taped but I hear the area is not the best place to live. Can you give some reccomendations? I want to live walking distance to a bunch of cool stuff even though i plan to get a car. If you list an area can you maybe mention a couple of cool things that it's close to?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Andy,
Where we're moving in Los Feliz is really chill and within walking distance of essentials, too. I am totally adverse to using my car everyday if I don't have to, so I am checking out the train lines www.mta.net
They just opened up the Gold Line - that's four train lines now and the Red Line is right near my new apt.
WeHo is very, very gay - imagine 8th Avenue in Chelsea at 3pm on a Sunday. Reconsider that hood.
Where we're moving in Los Feliz is really chill and within walking distance of essentials, too. I am totally adverse to using my car everyday if I don't have to, so I am checking out the train lines www.mta.net
They just opened up the Gold Line - that's four train lines now and the Red Line is right near my new apt.
WeHo is very, very gay - imagine 8th Avenue in Chelsea at 3pm on a Sunday. Reconsider that hood.