This seems like a fairly black and white topic to me. It is common knowledge that TV and film is branching out to other states and other countries i.e. Canada more and more, but as one poster has already stated it makes zero sense to move to one of these places to pursue a career in acting. If you already live in a smaller market like Georgia, Texas, Lousiana and you're not yet SAG with nothing but local theatre credits STAY WHERE YOU ARE! Work there. Build up your resume, exhaust that market doing co-stars and small roles in big budget films then move to NYC or LA. But if you live in San Francisco or Idaho or Connecticut, don't uproot your life and begin a new one in a smaller market where you may hit the ceiling rather quickly and be forced to relocate again. To argue over whether or not a person should move to LA or NYC is too subjective. Both have been competitive in regards to the entertainment industry for years and both have a good deal of pros and cons ie weather, affordable living, needing a car, amount of competition, good theatre. The list for both could go on and on... I just think focusing on the what ifs is a dangerous game to play especially for actors. We're already susceptible to enough mind taffy. Okay. Rant over. Thanks for listening.

"The L.A. Complex" is being shot in Canada. Ummm... wait. Hold on. What just happened???

Anywho. A good friend of mine got cast as a recurring on NBC's "Do No Harm". She is based in Philly and works in NYC all the time. Her motto? "Go where the work is." And does she go. DC, Philly, NYC, industrials commercials, voice over, plays, whatever. She goes. She acts full time. She freelances with NYC agents. She gets her work because work begets work and she is always on the move. And she's been at it for about 20 years, building a great reputation along the way.

It's still worth it to move IMHO. There are resources for actors in the major markets that just aren't there in the smaller markets. This business is still a clique. It is a small circle of people casting a small circle of jobs, and that circle is even smaller in secondary markets. It's almost non-existent. To be in my friend's position is like lightning striking three times in the same place.

Acting careers require a great deal of flexibility, and part of that flexibility is moving when the need arises. Go where the work is.

L.A. IS losing a lot of film/tv work. the tax incentives in NY and other places are hard to ignore. NY is perfectly viable for film/tv now, but many don't want to admit that. As far as Canada, it used to be Vancouver that was "hollywood north" but it shifted because Ontario/Quebec upped their tax incentives.

So now, on the east coast, you have NY, NJ, CT. all coming through with the goodies, with Montreal and Toronto a quick flight away(Montreal is a 1-hour flight, Toronto, not much more than that). If you're making a film, and you can save 5 mil in one location, but 10 mil in another, which would you choose? California's legislature fucked up. CA should have the best tax incentives for production of anywhere in the world, but they're being beaten badly. I think its arrogance, frankly. also, just as an aside; People are booking major films off the strength of a skype audition.(Jennifer Lawrence, for one).

Physically being in hollywood is no longer necessary.

Finally someone gets it!!! The loss of television production has absolutely devastated this city. The legislature is shameful! Oddly enough they have done an amazing job of keeping it out of the news! This horrid loss should be front page news every day

Alot of things shoot outside La but series regulars and guest and recurring role are cast in la mostly and ny and flown out. Co stars are usually cast in the location of shooting

quote:

Originally posted by workinactor:
L.A. IS losing a lot of film/tv work. the tax incentives in NY and other places are hard to ignore. NY is perfectly viable for film/tv now, but many don't want to admit that. As far as Canada, it used to be Vancouver that was "hollywood north" but it shifted because Ontario/Quebec upped their tax incentives.

So now, on the east coast, you have NY, NJ, CT. all coming through with the goodies, with Montreal and Toronto a quick flight away(Montreal is a 1-hour flight, Toronto, not much more than that). If you're making a film, and you can save 5 mil in one location, but 10 mil in another, which would you choose? California's legislature fucked up. CA should have the best tax incentives for production of anywhere in the world, but they're being beaten badly. I think its arrogance, frankly. also, just as an aside; People are booking major films off the strength of a skype audition.(Jennifer Lawrence, for one).

Physically being in hollywood is no longer necessary.

People can tell theirselves all they want about not moving to LA. NYC on average, for all the pilot they claim to have, airs no more than maybe 8 shows per season and usually 3 get cancelled and they have to start all over again.

The majority of TV work will never goto to NYC b/c working/name actors and producers do not want to give up homes near the beach to live in bad weather. Just a fact

And whatever tax incentive there is in NYC nowadays, you would lose the money right back when it comes to cost of living

quote:

Originally posted by workinactor:
L.A. IS losing a lot of film/tv work. the tax incentives in NY and other places are hard to ignore. NY is perfectly viable for film/tv now, but many don't want to admit that. As far as Canada, it used to be Vancouver that was "hollywood north" but it shifted because Ontario/Quebec upped their tax incentives.

So now, on the east coast, you have NY, NJ, CT. all coming through with the goodies, with Montreal and Toronto a quick flight away(Montreal is a 1-hour flight, Toronto, not much more than that). If you're making a film, and you can save 5 mil in one location, but 10 mil in another, which would you choose? California's legislature fucked up. CA should have the best tax incentives for production of anywhere in the world, but they're being beaten badly. I think its arrogance, frankly. also, just as an aside; People are booking major films off the strength of a skype audition.(Jennifer Lawrence, for one).

Physically being in hollywood is no longer necessary.

This. Tax incentives are huge when producers choose a location to shoot and LA is just losing it's appeal both aesthetically and financially.

quote:

Originally posted by Lonni Delane:
"The L.A. Complex" is being shot in Canada. Ummm... wait. Hold on. What just happened???

Anywho. A good friend of mine got cast as a recurring on NBC's "Do No Harm". She is based in Philly and works in NYC all the time. Her motto? "Go where the work is." And does she go. DC, Philly, NYC, industrials commercials, voice over, plays, whatever. She goes. She acts full time. She freelances with NYC agents. She gets her work because work begets work and she is always on the move. And she's been at it for about 20 years, building a great reputation along the way.

It's still worth it to move IMHO. There are resources for actors in the major markets that just aren't there in the smaller markets. This business is still a clique. It is a small circle of people casting a small circle of jobs, and that circle is even smaller in secondary markets. It's almost non-existent. To be in my friend's position is like lightning striking three times in the same place.

Acting careers require a great deal of flexibility, and part of that flexibility is moving when the need arises. Go where the work is.

This person you speak of seems like she is treating acting solely as a business. Which is good for her! She has different priorities than most actors trying to make it. But for many reasons I refuse to march around the country for industrials and co-star roles just to pay the bills and call myself a "full-time actor" because it does so. Even though I'm a no-namer I refuse to be classified on a day-player level.

I don't see myself as a commercial actor, or low level under fiver. Sure I'll do it if the opportunity arises for money in a pinch, but will I uproot my life for it? No, and you ask why? Because what if while you're parading around the country doing industrials or co-star acts and an opportunity comes up in the city for you? No way Jose life is too short for that.

I am in acting to be an actor, not for the money. The goal is to make a living off acting, and enjoy what I do. Being in the city keeps me surrounded by the industry that I want to be a part of. Here I have access to watching the best theatre, taking classes with great teachers, doing workshops to meet casting directors, and of course film/tv/theatre auditions all at the same time.

So I guess it's just different strokes for different folks. Some people get into acting solely for the money (what a masochistic career choice) others want to actually you know... act.

She's a businesswoman and not an actor? You don't think she acts? Wow. You've got the whole thing twisted. She has an MFA, does great work, and is well respected in the industry.

What she has, that most actors don't have, is OPTIONS. She's not screwed when the theater work dries up.

What actor do you know who "gets in for the money" and lasts past a year or two, let alone twenty?

She's not a "day player". She's smart. She's driven. And she knows how to keep a career going.

quote:

Originally posted by Lonni Delane:
She's a businesswoman and not an actor? You don't think she acts? Wow. You've got the whole thing twisted. She has an MFA, does great work, and is well respected in the industry.

What she has, that most actors don't have, is OPTIONS. She's not screwed when the theater work dries up.

What actor do you know who "gets in for the money" and lasts past a year or two, let alone twenty?

She's not a "day player". She's smart. She's driven. And she knows how to keep a career going.

Obviously I was working with just the context in the original post and not further details. Also of course any actor would take up a tour across the country doing a play they love. Great learning experience both in acting and life.

I'm mainly talking about co-star actors. You don't want to be put in the day-player folder because you've done dozens of co-star roles. That shit can cripple your career from moving up.

Sure there are always exceptions to every rule, but this is the most subjective business in the world. I mean as you can see yourself just by me glancing at what your friend does my first impression is "dayplayer". When someone gives them their tales of experience, "I've traveled the country doing commercials and co-star roles for network shows, had a blast and made great connections." It gives you an image of being desperate, it's a psychological thing. Wouldn't you be turned off if you found out Jennifer Lawrence traveled to 30 of the 50 states trying to book co-star spots and guest-star spots for local hires? Yuck.

quote:

Originally posted by Kram:
(...) Some people get into acting solely for the money (...)

Kram, you crack me up!!

quote:

. I mean as you can see yourself just by me glancing at what your friend does my first impression is "dayplayer".

The words "recurring role" and NBC just escaped your attention. Clearly, you are a selective listener.

quote:

Originally posted by Lonni Delane:

quote:

. I mean as you can see yourself just by me glancing at what your friend does my first impression is "dayplayer".

The words "recurring role" and NBC just escaped your attention. Clearly, you are a selective listener.

And so is the rest of Hollywood. I'm not knocking on your friend here, just using the context as an example for the bigger picture. I'm sure your friend is great and an MFA is prestigious and should be honored. Too bad most of the industry couldn't care less.

I met a CD at a workshop recently who said to be careful on your resume, "going to Julliard is great and all, but if I look at the rest of your resume and just see a clutter of unknown stuff or lots of co-stars I get an instant impression that there is something wrong with you. Why can't you book a guest star? I know for a fact that agents drool over Julliard graduates, why don't you have representation?"

Or even better when some young actor has a resume filled from margin to margin, like a dozen films and plays on his resume accompanied buy a wall of text under training with various classes. That resume has just aged this young actor and gives the person reading it an impression that he's been around the block and can't book anything that even matters. Use the unknown actor image to your advantage, if a casting director hasn't heard of you don't make him think it's because of the wrong reasons.

The most subjective business in the world can be very unforgiving.

People can tell theirselves all they want about not moving to LA. NYC on average, for all the pilot they claim to have, airs no more than maybe 8 shows per season and usually 3 get cancelled and they have to start all over again.

The majority of TV work will never goto to NYC b/c working/name actors and producers do not want to give up homes near the beach to live in bad weather. Just a fact

And whatever tax incentive there is in NYC nowadays, you would lose the money right back when it comes to cost of living[/QUOTE

Wow! You are so wrong. The number of shows New York has right now is in the twenties and their tax insentives are not going anywhere!
What the H are you talking about "when it comes to cost of living."
Do a little research before you speak!!!! Production saves millions and millions by shooting there. Have you no grasp to the severity of this problem?

quote:

Or

[/QUOTE

Wow! You are so wrong. The number of shows New York has right now is in the twenties and their tax insentives are not going anywhere!
What the H are you talking about "when it comes to cost of living."
Do a little research before you speak!!!! Production saves millions and millions by shooting there. Have you no grasp to the severity of this problem?

First of all,take a Xanax, ASAP!! And then name the 20. And "Suits" is in Toronto so that dont count!!
L&O, Per. Of Interest, White Collar, Nurse Jackie, The Following, Blue Bloods, That BS Lucy Liu show and a handful of others


And I know all I need to know about cost of living thank you very much. I lived in both cities over 10 years. LA is easily cheaper to live in even though I wouldnt call it cheap. You can start with the car insurance and work you're way down.

At any givin moment LA has 60+ TV shows either casting or on hiatus. In NYC everyone is grabbing for the same Nickel.

And I notice you didnt address what I said about Name actors and producers not interested in relocating East. Aint happening!!

If nothing else, comedies will stay in LA b/c its too conveiniant to work inside the studio lots, and they dont have to worry about being rained out on a day they want to shoot on location