Hotscot

Los Angeles centric I know.

The movie/entertainment industry is particularly difficult to break into.
Most never do.
The bars and restaurants around Los Angeles are staffed by movie industry hopefuls waiting for their chance.
(In fact I personally know a guy who's production work earned him an Oscar three films in a row. Even for him, while very successful, getting a new project each time hasn't been a walk in the park.)

Some wait a decade for a bit part, no dialog, a walk on part, and then nothing else.
If very fortunate you might be an extra in a tv series and get a $100 a month check for the next five years.
You might even get a chance of being in a pilot, you give it your all, you're on top of the world.

And it doesn't get picked up.

It's almost just as difficult for relatively well known actors/production specialists. It's a gig not a long term job.
Many well known actors, for example, have other jobs as well as acting. voice overs, Uber and Lyft drivers, bar tending, working retail...anything to pay the bills.
However for anyone who's interested in the industry and would like to immerse themselves in the culture here's a few tips. Some of more value than others.


1. Go to film festivals. Festivals & Contests | California Film Commission Meet the filmmakers.
Also see https://www.afi.com/afifest/
2. Take a course. Get to meet people in the industry
https://www.uclaextension.edu/writin...riting/courses
https://www.filmandmedia.ucsb.edu/courses/
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-courses/
https://cinema.usc.edu/summer/classes.cfm?s=w
3. Check out CraigsList for opportunities to get involved. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/d/...dio/search/tfr
4. Have lunch here. Flix Cafe
LA Center Studios is amazing. There are many high profile movies and shows produced there in a nondescript building right in downtown Los Angeles. You can rub shoulders with production people every single day. Fantastic smoked sausage.
5. If mobile take a drive to (And you better be mobile.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trona_Pinnacles Site of many a show.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasquez_Rocks Likewise.
6. When driving/traveling around Los Angeles keep an eye out for yellow signs with black code words on them. Usually on lamp posts/telegraph poles. This means that there is a show or movie being filmed nearby.
7. Read Variety every morning. https://variety.com/
8. Read Hollywood Reporter every morning. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/
9. Not exactly Hollywood but go here. https://www.sxsw.com/
10. If you do get a break you'll generally need union membership.
https://www.wga.org/
https://www.sagaftra.org/
https://www.icg600.com/
11. If you have an opportunity to live near Hollywood Blvd/Sunset Blvd then yes, go out, immerse yourself in the culture day and night.
Dive bars, posh bars, sweaty clubs, the Hollywood Bowl, The Wiltern. Experience it all. (Take local advice on where's safe though.)
12. Plenty of cultural opportunities. The Getty Museum, (fantastic views), Griffith Observatory (fantastic views)...
https://tinyurl.com/y558b7dw

This list is not exhaustive. YMMV.

(I used to run an FX outfit from an office in LA Center Studios.)

scrubbedexpat091

We have a pretty active movie/TV scene up here, Hollywood of the north as they call Vancouver.

My wife does some acting, mostly for fun, but eh she gets $200-$300 for small non-speaking extra spots typically so extra money. Her biggest job to date was the A team movie, her most air time was a degree deodorant commercial a decade or so ago, she also has done a few extra spots in Hallmark channel type movies. But yeah not a good way to try and support oneself. She can get a bunch of extra spots back to back and then go months without anything. (she does it as a hobby as its something she enjoys and has no desire to try and make acting a career.)

We have a friend who works behind the camera, he has made it a career but the last 15 years has mostly not been working, but he lucked out and got on crew with a popular TV show that films here so has been getting consistent work for the last 5 years, feast or famine type work.

Hotscot

Good info.
Yes, I know I could have covered Vancouver, Atlanta, New Orleans, NY etc...but same general idea of getting your finger on the pulse. Long hard slog though.

scrubbedexpat099

And if you do make it do not try and bribe your child into a top University, does not help your career.

Pulaski

Are you not familiar with the expression "there's no such thing as bad publicity"? There are more than a few media types who seem to have managed an extended career based mostly on what ordinary folks would do their damnedest to avoid being reported for - Kim Kardtrashian, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Robert Downey Jr, being a few that spring to mind.

Then there are a few, though increasing number, such as Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, and Bill Cosby who have discovered the idea that there is no such thing as bad publicity does have its limits.

scrubbedexpat099

And the head of Warner I see is spending more time with his family.

DM sorry but amusing: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...r-got-USC.html

Neither of her Parents went to College but apparently are worth $80m, vacuous daughter was clearing a Million with her Social Media and obviously had no interest in studying. Going to have a real problem coming back from this but they are not going to the poor house.

Not sure they can do a come back, not sure if I care.

Makes you wonder how Olivia Jade graduated.