Moving to LA, any info??

Resi12

Ok well i'm not moving but im young im 17. yes young I know, But i really want to I want to pursue an acting career and I really want to move to LA i know tonnes of people do but if i ever wanted to do it now is the time with school over and my LC results looking bleak, does anybody have any info on what I should do?

I honestly have no idea i never been out of Ireland..
As much help as possible would be great.
Thanks

Resi12

Anybody??
Please im really confused here

Ruu_Old

I would assume you need some specialist visa. Are you thinking of taking acting classes or something there? Since you haven't been out of Ireland before I would suggest that you go over on a few holidays to see if you like the place and get some information while you are there.

Climate Expert

Unless you get a job (and even then its going to be tough) you won't be able to live and work in the USA. You can J1 it for a few months and thats about it.

iMax

Honestly, I'd advise against it. LA is a long way from home when you're 17. (are you M or F?). I lived there many years ago & although I love the place, I wouldn't advise anyone of your years to move there to pursue acting. First off you have the visa issues, secondly, secondly, the world & it's mother moves to LA to pursue acting. Try London first, sure the weather isn't as good, but at least you're not too far from home if you need to get back.

Black Swan

Resi12 wrote: »

But i really want to I want to pursue an acting career and I really want to move to LA ... does anybody have any info on what I should do?

LA as in Hollywood and film? It's the Hollywood fantasy that's drawing you? If your LCs are low, then perhaps a uni drama course of study is not realistic and you need to seek alternatives to pursue your dream?

You need to acquire acting experience first (e.g., community theatre?), and with some minor successes on stage in supporting roles, then develop a portfolio and get an agent.

I'm a drama/film major on scholarship at USC in LA (but live in Newport). We just got through with the writer's strike, and now the actor's are threatening to walk out. Plus, a lot of the big studios are going overseas to reduce production costs. Yes, there has been a bit of an increase in B-film startups in LA, but a lot of them are closing before they can open. And you don't want to jump on a plane and try to survive as an extra or walk-on, cause most of them starve. To summarize, not a good time to come to LA for a new acting career in film (or stage).

Burns

Establish yourself as an actor in Ireland before moving out here.

MagicMarker

To put it bluntly, you can't. Because you'll never get a visa?

Why not get some training? Look at going to an acting school in London or something. Professional tuition along with auditions galore in a place like London.

Resi12

Thanks for all the info about Visa's guys, but im never gonna stop trying im gonna start attending community courses here soon and ill see how it goes. Im M by the way and I know the world moves to LA to act but its been my dream for so long its only now I feel I can do it and there's no way in hell i'd giving up on that dream anytime soon if there's anything I can do about it, it might seem unrealistic but it's not i'm not doing it for the fame and glamour... OK! theres a part but come on thats natural, I know 95% of actors are unemployed and unless you find established work its not great pay but i just love to act it's always been a passion of mine and ill get there someday!
But anyway, enough of my life thanks for the advice really.

BarryCreed

Go for it, be realistic along the way, do your research before you move anywhere, but go for it...

iMax

Ok then, best of luck with it. Advice from me would be to go for two months initially on the visa waiver program, remember you cannot work during this time, so you'll have to have enough money to support yourself.

West hollywood is one of the cheapest places to stay that's central, it has a very high percentage of gay population, but is also where a lot of actors/musicions/artists hang out. Start reading the hollywood reporter & variety online before you go to get a feel for what's going on. Get some good headshots done, but not until you get there (they will be expensive). Turn up for every open casting call & audition you can, even the reality TV stuff.

Word of warning though, it's not the safest area after dark. Hollywood (the city as part of LA greater) is a dirty, seedy, skanky enough place. Everyone is hustling & everyone's looking after themselves. Be streetwise & street smart (two different things).

Best of luck, I hope your dreams come true.

mechengineer23

I want to do something very similar, I want to go to LA but b4 I go I am gonna get a degree in engineering because without a degree it's gonna b alot tougher, I'm also 17 and I intend on getting into the USA in June 2011 and stayin there 4eva. If you really wanna go and work, live there you should enter the diversity lottery but it's not very easy if you want I can give you a detailed outline on the steps you need to take to get to the LA legally, if u want this info just post a message and tell me that u wnat the info, It only costs around $900 for the green card, etc..

I really admire what u want 2 do coz the irish get on really well over there, r u mare or female, It's all i've been tinkin of since 5th year and some how hopefully we'll both get there at some stage

Any make contact with me if you want more info.

Aspiration

OP, LA sounds amazing and it's the dream of many to move there to pursue a career in the performing arts. I, myself, am looking to move to NY as of September 09 to train in dancing.

Firstly, by all means follow your dreams. It won't be easy whatsoever and there'll probably be way more downs than ups, but you'll appreciate it alot more after you've worked so hard to get to a place where you are content with the direction you're going.

You need to go about doing this legally as I'm sure you're aware. Obtaining a visa is not as simple as you think. You can't just simply buy a visa and expect to fly over and land in LA and work your way as an actor. I would suggest going over on a Student visa and studying over there if you really want to get in as soon as possible. Are there any private drama schools that you're interested in?

Now this brings me to finance. How are you going to pay for this? You're not allowed work on an F-1 visa (Student visa) so you need to show that you have enough money to cover you for the X number of years you'll be studying with the school. You're only 17 years old, I don't know about you but when I was 17 I definitely did not have the kind of money that would cover me for college in the US for a number of years. Not only is there tuition fees but you also need to pay for accommodation, food, day-to-day living etc... Are your family willing to support you?

Have you done you enough experience? The performing arts sector in the States is very competitive and living in LA you'll need to grow a thick skin to survive criticism. It's just their nature. It seems that living and growing up in the US opens a hell of a lot more doors when it comes to arts than us poor Irish. I'm from Cork and when I was in school had to travel to Dublin twice a month for additional classes that I wanted to take. So I'd have 3 classes per week + 2 extra classes a month in Dublin. I'm living in Dublin now, take class 5 times a week and I go to London every few weeks for workshops and to be honest, I still don't think it's enough. It seems like the arts sector have forgot about us! However, having that extra bit of experience could do a lot for you when you move to LA.

So my story cut short is, I started dancing at 4, started taking it seriously when I started secondary school, realised I was not going to afford going to dance college after my Leaving (approx £30k tuition fees for a degree in London), so I went to CIT. Completed my certificate in IT, went on work placement and the company kept me on. On a pretty good wage for being 21 and I can see myself finally being able to grab my dreams with both hands.

I am in no way trying to put a dampner on your dreams OP. I know how passionate people get when it comes to their careers. However, you need to be realistic. Do your research and set little goals to reach that will contribute to you moving away. You're more than likely going to have to work your ass off to get to where you want to go but if you do it properly, it'll be worth it.

Sorry about the long post, but best of luck