I'd like to hear from any and all actors who don't live in L.A. but are thinking about moving here. (Or have considered moving out but then decided against it.)

I'd like to know what your biggest concerns are and I'd also like to hear what you think your priorities should be.

I'm also looking for your general ideas about L.A. - good or bad.

If this post works out, I'll be using your feedback in a column soon so thanks in advance for your help!

I wish i was in LA so bad you know no idea.

I currently live in Rockville, MD which is a suburb right outside of washington, DC. To me over here LA seems like a dream come true. All I see is beautiful weather, beautiful people, and a city built on dreams. I've fought every urge to pack my bags and just go for it because I know that this is a business and if I were to apply for a job as a marketing rep or something in that environment I would never just pack and head up there hoping that a company would hire me. My biggest concern with LA is finances (as I'm sure most people's are). From what I've heard it's nearly impossible to get around w/o a car, getting an agent is damn near impossible and If you don't already have a relationship with someone in the business your pretty fucked and are waiting for a "Big Break". My priority right now is turning my brain into a sponge and soaking all the information I can on every aspect of the craft, history, and business of the film industry. With this current economy i'm currently working 2 jobs while going to school (Theatre major) and paying for this tuition 100% on my own so moving to LA is so far out of my reach and won't be near me for a long long time. I've reasoned with myself that NY is the only economically sound move for me to make upon graduation or the right opportunity. From all the bios, and stories I've read from actors/actresses I admire i see a trend that it's very rare that they started out in LA and knew someone already so as of right now, LA is a goal to shoot for, something to dream on. And i'm definitely going to bust my ass to get myself out there and working.

I wished Seattle had the 3 voucher thing.

Or they pay only min. wage (state). This goes for sag/non-union too. Why can't Seattle be treated like LA, NY, other places?

I have considered moving out to L.A. for my career. However, I realized that L.A. doesn't have a subway system, real cab service like NYC, and you can't walk to your next casting like you can here in NYC.

Ideally, I would move if there was a "real" place for me to stay and a decent car to get me around. I'm sure everyone would want the same. I refuse to put myself in a situation as if I'm starting all over.

My concern is having to support myself through working at a cafe, bar, whatever for pocket cash to pay rent, eat, gas!!!! and Advils. There is nothing wrong with working, but it is something wrong with it when I totally support myself on my acting here without having to sling hash at a greasy spoon. My friends out there all say but every where you turn there is a up coming director, writer, agent etc. And my answer to that is god bless them, however, I don't want just the plain Jane's & Joe's. If I'm hooking up with someone-I"m hooking up with them to make some reall loot not laundry money. I can do that here and it is most frustrating. Give me the ones who can talk the talk and do the MF walk!!!! And YES-I CAN DO THE WALK AND THE TALK.

Representation is another major concern. I don't really have any rep. here. Most of my work is gotten on my own, through built up relationships along the way with folks I've worked with in the past. I've gotten some of my work through auditions and direct casting.

Sure I know what you might say...if it happens here it could very well happen over there. Hmmm...not so sure.

If I get a tip about an audition from an actor who has no insecurity on sharing info on a audition I go for it. I actually show up and present myself in a "professional" manner and if time and climate presents it self from the auditor-then I audition...if not I smile and leave them my headshot and resume and sometimeS my reel.

In L.A. the gates are protected by the Iron Maidens. And I hear from various folks you HAVE to be on the list attached to that clip board. In other words "crashing" is a no-no.

Sure, I know "crashing" is unprofessional and some might slam my hands with a hammer for that act. But, I look at it this way. If I don't fit the part or the overall look in the waiting room I keep it moving. Or I just leave my headshot for further consideration. And on some cases I've been asked to stay. Hey, if the agents that say they are free-lancing me aren't calling me or sending me out-then what am I supposed to do....sit around and pretend I'm doing it? Most agents should just let go of half of who they free-lance with and concentrate on their signed clients. There are some who divide the work and take real chances and I love them dearly. But other use your presence as a maybe lottery ticket. Some want you to come in already made. Less work for them and I've seen it and heard it while waiting to be seen at some places....geeeeezzzzzz and they say we are lazy fu*ks

My concerns are a mish mash of things here. These concerns involve representation, housing, money in the pockets, transportation and working as a full-time actor.

Yeah sure L.A. supposedly has a lot of work, but I think that it is now being disburst globally. My friends who have now braged about L.A. and all it's fantasiums for the last past five years are sneaking in and out of NYC, trying to be bi-coastal, or have taking on home based businesses to survive between gigs.

I know where I should be and what I should be doing and thats being a full time actor like I am here. I'm begining to wonder if L.A. and all it's fantasiums is really what all my friends are smoking it up to be?

As one friend said to me here-"they" either want you or not. And if and when they want you- they will come and get you or find you. Just keep doing your work no matter where you are.

Still thinking about embracing L.A.

Luckly we have relatives in LA area. DS landed a role this summer and will be staying with his uncles in Manhattan Beach and Brentwood during that time. Just happens to work out great. My wife will be with him so I can work and pay for this expensive vacation......

Two years ago, we were told Brian should be in LA. But living in VA, LA is so far away, there were just too many unknowns...transportation to auditions, et al. Obstacles we didn't know anything about let alone trying to figure out how to overcome them. NY was more familiar to us so he's going to college there and trying to get into the industry there.

I'm from Oregon and I moved to NYC to go to NYU and ended up staying. I have gotten tremendous pressure from my family to move to L.A. (my brother lives there and I would have a free place to live along with half of my film student friends who are working there now).

My friends who live out there actually say it's much easier to get an agent out there than here because there are so many more agents in L.A. than in New York. I've also heard that it's near impossible to get work on your own out there (w/o an agent) whereas here I can go to EPAs, I can submit for a lot of non-union work on my own, etc.

Now this could make people a little annoyed but bear with me. I know that there are actors in L.A. who care about the craft. I talk to them on this forum all the time, but by and large I feel like I can do more creative and interesting work out here (especially in theatre). Mind you, I haven't lived out there so I might be talking out my you know what but I've always felt that L.A. is where every Joe Schmo goes to become a movie star while New York is where people start when they're serious about being an actor. The biggest problem with New York to me was always the amount of work vs. L.A. but with all of the Law and Orders, Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl and new shows setting up shop here every season I'm feeling more confident about the amount of work that an actor can get here. Last season five new shows were starting in New York (I loved six degrees, so sad it was cancelled) and due to the crazy tax breaks being given more and more films are coming back to the big apple.

But honestly one of the big reasons for me is...I love this city. I am madly in love with this crazy, diverse, fantastic city. The people who are a bit brash at times but nothing if not honest. The fact that I can get any kind of food I could ever be curious about and its always good and authentic. The fact that I can get off the train in a thousand different parts of town and have a totally different experience. The way the parks and cafes are packed on that first beautiful day of spring because we all appreciate the good weather so much. And the idea that I know everyone who lives here loves this city as much as I do. I could go on and on, but don't worry, I won't :-) I will become bi-coastal some day. I know that that will happen and I will be more than happy spending a great deal of my time in sunny L.A. but for right now I prefer my fun, exciting, creative New York.

There are at least two different conversations going on this board about moving to L.A., and I've noticed some people are more stressed out about transportation than they are about auditions...so as the environmentalist I am, and in these days of horribly high gas prices and insane driving, let me just point out that, contrary to the belief of many of its residents, Los Angeles actually has the ninth largest subway/light rail system in the world, and lots of buses, and Amtrak trains which connect a lot of major towns in the area....this doesn't mean you never have to drive to get to an audition or rehearsal, and it doesn't mean you don't need a car....but the misconception that you absolutely must have a car and drive everywhere in LA in order to be an actor is simply not true. Be smart...investigate your options.

Okay, wow! Transportation was one of the major factors in Brian not being in LA. What about access to Zip Cars - are they readily available at train stations, etc.

Actually, is there anything out there - book wise - that gives you this kind of info? Obviously, living on the East Coast, traveling to the West Coast to find out this kind of stuff before moving out there...economically I'm not sure how many people could.

Hi bcoleman, Not sure what books are available, but you can start by googling Los Angeles Public Transportation

Barring a phone call notifying me that I've been cast in a recurring role on a network show (which isn't likely to happen, since I haven't been submitted for anything ), I'll be moving to L.A. at the end of this month.

Although it feels as though I've lived everywhere, I've never resided in L.A. Therefore, I'm relying on friends (and information I gleaned from a recent visit there) for much of the information I'll need when I arrive. I'm also obsessive about online sources such as City-Data.com and the LAPD crime stats website.

I already have a survival job lined up, and I plan to spend the first year just getting a feel for the city, learning my way around, and (hopefully) making contacts. Of course, I'll be actively seeking auditions as well, but I'm not heading into town with the expectation that I'll be an overnight success.

Yes, transportation IS a concern, especially coming from NYC. Except for the past two years here, I've always had a car. However, I'm not the most patient driver, and absolutely detest the kind of freeway "driving" that L.A. is notorious for. The subway was comfortable and reliable while I was there, but it has a very limited route (it doesn't go anywhere close to where I'll be working), and my understanding is that the buses are far LESS reliable and often so overcrowded that the drivers simply bypass stops completely.

I've been told that a non-union actor (like me)should NEVER move to L.A., because there's so much competition that I'll never be seen. On the other hand, I've been told that if non-union actors want the best chance to join the union, they should be in L.A. because that's where the work is. I is confuzzled. (LOL)

I'm also coming without representation but, again, people do that all the time, and many of them still manage to find agents to take them on.

In all, I have lots of concerns, as well as lots of hope but also what I believe to be realistic expectations.

Does that answer your question?

I'm moving to LA at the end of this month. Excited.

Short-term goals (1st year in LA):
1. Be a tourist, enjoy and discover LA irrespective of career
2. Establish non-acting life - job, friends, etc. and find a girlfriend!
3. Acting training - find the best fit for my needs by auditing as many classes
4. Go watch as much local theater as I can, good or bad
5. Self-submit and audition for projects I'm interested in - indies, theater, sketch
6. Reestablish my other creative/artistic stuff (writing and music - some specific goals here related to craft/product and networking, but no need to get into it here on an acting msg board)
7. Through 3-5, hopefully meet and befriend enough actors to get a better handle of the 'business' - who are the good agents and bad agents, managers, casting directors, etc.
8. Get politically involved in causes I believe in

Medium term (beyond 1 year):
1. Find an agent for acting
2. Continue to train
3. Get more exposure and establish reputation with casting directors
4. Find an agent for writing (if agencies aren't into repping a client for acting as well as writing)
5. Be in absolute ripping shape haha

Long-term (5+ years)
1. Get a really big head
2. Have an entourage of hangers on
3. Find a pet cause to put my face on, save the world
4. Win an Oscar, Emmy and Tony, and turn them all down
5. Run for Governor and get out of the industry

<I actually do have specific long-term goals, but would rather not share them here>

I'm moving from a smaller market and my short-term goals are based on the mistakes I made here -- by trying to rush or force the 'biz' part of the issue. I've had a bad agent and a great agent, got some great exposure and learning, and hey, have an IMDb page with real credits (because that's what all my non-actor friends look at to validate the fact that I am an actor and not just 'saying' I am an actor haha)

Most importantly, to keep a sense of humor about it all - compared to being a Marine, nuclear physics, neurosurgery, lawyering, etc. what we do is actually pretty silly.

I've done both, lived and worked in LA and now I live and work in the Midwest as an actor. Two very different worlds, but honestly there has been pros and cons to both!