Should filmmakers move to Hollywood? For me, Los Angeles was a goal city. I knew that LA was the hub of the movie world, and I wanted to be there. So I moved there in 2007.
Prior to that, I had lived in New Jersey (where I grew up), New York City, and Rochester, NY. But I had my sights set on LA from the beginning. I wanted to be where the action was.
Should Filmmakers Move To Hollywood?
Now, I turn it to you. Should you move there? Well, it depends.
Year after year, thousands of Hollywood hopefuls answer the “Should filmmakers move to Hollywood” question with a definitive YES. And I understand that you know this. Hollywood is filled with hopefuls.
But you don’t really know this until you’re here. Within the first week, you will see your doppelganger, a lot. You will overhear conversations too. Literally everywhere you go, someone is talking movies or “the industry.”
And even though you sort of suspect that the odds of YOUR filmmaking success is greater than the next guy, deep down you know you’re just a small fish in a big pond.
But you can’t deny it.
No matter where you are in the world, Hollywood represents a much bigger game.
And the only thing that differentiates you from the gazillion other Hollywood hopefuls is the work. Nothing matters more than actually picking up a camera and making something – Anything.
I had a little advantage when I moved out. I had achieved a bit of success. I had Produced two films, The Attic, from the Director of Pet Semetary, starring Elisabeth Moss and myself, and The Alphabet Killer, from the Director of Wrong Turn, starring Eliza Dushku, Cary Elwes, me!, and Tim Hutton.
In fact, it was Eliza who rented me her house when I first moved out there!
So when I moved to LA, I had some stuff going on. And I recommend that for you.
Look, you don't need to achieve success before you make the move, but it DEFINITELY helps. People look at you differently.
Okay, so now I want you to check out this video on how to use Deadlines to be successful:
Give Yourself a Deadline
If you're going to make the move, you can use the deadline for yourself. You say something like “By year X, I'll be living in Hollywood.” Be as specific as possible. And then start to plan.
Because if you can do this, and come to LA after having achieved success, doors open everywhere.
Don't want to talk you out of moving if you haven't achieved success, but know that there will be a TON of people the same way. Be prepared to work in a restaurant or a bar, and struggle for a bit, hoping that big break comes your way.
But wouldn't it be better to make something amazing wherever you are now, so when you get out there, people think you're kind of a big deal??
SO, the way to do this is to, right now, write down your goals on a timeline. Write down when you want to move to LA, and what you want to accomplish before.
And treat this as serious as possible. That paper can be the timeline that dictates the next 3, 5, 10, or 20 years of your life. Make it count. And if you're looking for more resources, check out this filmmaker training.
