Hi there. My daughters's mom and I are planning to move our kid to LA next summer for her acting career and for college. She'll be 17 at the time of the move, and I will go with. Her mom said today that she'd like to consider NYC instead. Some of her reasoning is:
quote:
I just have this feeling (could be right, wrong, I don’t know) that NYC has the walkable city quality that she likes (obviously with huge entertainment scene) and I have this impression that there is less of a predatory nature to the industry there (could be totally wrong about that). I’m thinking about the predatory nature of Hollywood, the sick culture and the sprawl of LA reducing quality of life.
I also think NYC might allow her to be really successful and well known in her field without necessarily being famous. I wish her tons of success, but I don’t wish fame on her because it is addictive and constrains what you can do and where you can go.
Thoughts?
Posts: 231 | Location: Chicago | Registered: October 23, 2011
Wellllllll, NYC has been good to my DS. I don't know how someone just starting out would feel not growing up in the city, but I came from Chi-town and adjusted quite well. Plenty of schools in the city and a chance to do community theatre off off Broadway sorts of things plus lots of student films to work on while searching for representation. Mass transit is the best in the world and you don't need a car. Depends upon if you want to live in the city or the burbs but getting around is easy. By 17 DS was on his own coming in from far North suburbs to auditions and work. He auditions for Left Coast productions here in NYC along with video submissions, so that is a nonissue. He is getting known by CD's and called in without submission. His last film and several commercials were just negotiated without audition. It becomes a small community after a while. I don't know if that would happen in LA. Up to you. He may go out to LA and stay with his uncles to test the waters, but he is fine here for the moment. I don't think it is an issue where you start.
Contact kidsdad. He has a DD about your DD's age and I'm sure he has an opinion about NYC's predatory nature from a dad with a teen daughter. They live in Brooklyn which is a short train ride into Manhattan.
Originally posted by DadinWestchester: Contact kidsdad. He has a DD about your DD's age and I'm sure he has an opinion about NYC's predatory nature from a dad with a teen daughter. They live in Brooklyn which is a short train ride into Manhattan.
Awesome, thanks!
Posts: 231 | Location: Chicago | Registered: October 23, 2011
I'd like an update on this, please? It's been over a year, I'd like to know what your choice was and why and what if anything you learned about NYC vs LA? And most importantly, how's the fit with your daughter? Does, she like it, how's it going, etc?
Originally posted by Brandi Alyssa: I'd like an update on this, please? It's been over a year, I'd like to know what your choice was and why and what if anything you learned about NYC vs LA? And most importantly, how's the fit with your daughter? Does, she like it, how's it going, etc?
Hi Brandi. I posted my question only six weeks ago. We won't be moving until next summer.
Posts: 231 | Location: Chicago | Registered: October 23, 2011
Oh, sorry! I always get the sign on time messed up with the posting time. I'm sorry. We may be going that time too, and am curious and anxious about just how it all works.
So I'm not sure if I'm really all that much help, I have no kids. However, I have been in New York for a very very long time, and have been to LA multiple times.
Work in New York is just much better in almost every way to me. People move here for a number of reasons, while people mainly go to LA for one reason. I certainly think its less predatory for that main reason. Beyond that a smaller community means you will see the same people and have friends within the industry with relative ease.
In addition, we continue to get more and more shows, as well as movies, so the ration of work to actors is much better. You are also not forced to drive anywhere, any shoots outside of the city (subway area) and transportation is provided. And if she has any desire to do theater, this is the place to be for that.
Posts: 205 | Location: New York | Registered: January 25, 2013
Originally posted by Syphus: So I'm not sure if I'm really all that much help, I have no kids. However, I have been in New York for a very very long time, and have been to LA multiple times.
Work in New York is just much better in almost every way to me. People move here for a number of reasons, while people mainly go to LA for one reason. I certainly think its less predatory for that main reason. Beyond that a smaller community means you will see the same people and have friends within the industry with relative ease.
In addition, we continue to get more and more shows, as well as movies, so the ration of work to actors is much better. You are also not forced to drive anywhere, any shoots outside of the city (subway area) and transportation is provided. And if she has any desire to do theater, this is the place to be for that.
Awesome! Thanks! She loves both film and stage, but she wants to end up in film. Her mom is going to take her to NYC over spring break to catch some shows. That could affect what she wants to do.
Posts: 231 | Location: Chicago | Registered: October 23, 2011
