So... Southern California huh?

[Scott Miller]

Since the loss of my wife, the reality of staying here in Northern California has been increasingly and obviously futile.

So I am pretty much decided to head south.

How much of an impediment to getting "Local" work would it be if I located to the Oceanside area? Would I be OK if I resided there and just assumed to take the Coaster up north when projects required, in conjunction with having my Expedition for heavy hauling my Epic/R1 and gear?

Or am I throwing away some opportunities if I am not located nearer Culver City/Hollywood/Burbank, etc?

Every time I am down south I get fairly strong suggestions to get my butt down there! I have worked on several projects, and after each walk away with great contacts and working relationships. But so many things require you to be "Local"... would Oceanside be "Local"? I could swing maintaining an office or space in a facility in the more Hollywood area if that was better for my work.

Time frame is whenever. My lease expires mid-January, so other than the reality of packing and a HUGE yardsale, I am ready to go.

And the reason for Oceanside... I have a large support system of friends there to assist with my children. If I were a full bachelor I would be looking for a bedroomn in Culver City to split!!

As always, thank you for your words of wisdom.

Scott

 

[Phil Holland]

I'm the rare breed of Native Southern Californian. There are very distinct advantages of living out here. Many of my friends in the industry live between Valencia and Irvine, which is a huge gap. Some commute up to 3 hours to get to set. I can't play that way myself. So I will say Oceanside is a pretty hefty drive.

I live in the north valley, but do work for studios located in San Fernando, Los Angeles, Hollywood, El Segundo, Culver City, Santa Monica, Burbank, etc.... There's no easy central hub for me and traffic is what it is. Commutes for me usually range between 15 minutes to an hour. Two hours on the high end of things if traffic is screwy. LAX is about 45 minutes on average.

If you land consistent work with a studio there would be advantages to living closer for sure.

My advice I guess to a newcomer to town is to move where it's comfortable at first. Once you get some legs under you and you get a feel for the land, move closer to the target. There's certainly more opportunity here than in Sacramento, but it's also much more competitive. Which could be a good thing if you want to play with the big dogs. Lots of stuff shoots out here. Lots of stuff gears up out here and shoots out of town.

Personally I wouldn't live anywhere else than Los Angeles (or near it).

 

[Scott Miller]

Sacramento is such a hard, small market. Plus it now represents "Loss" since I moved here to marry my wife who passed away 2 years ago.

So widowed father, no support, little work is NOT a great combo!! But I have 2 of the best cameras in the world... Which neatly fit into pelican or softcases when being moved.

Every time I work down there or spend time with industry people, I get encouragement to make the move, and to help find gigs. Hard to ignore ater a while.

Thank you Phil for the headsup!!

 

[David Collard]

Hey Scott,
Let go of where you live, the times you had...do it all with love. Then it will always reside in your heart.

Make the move in the spirit of change and adventure.

 

[Clint Lealos]

I can second everything that Phil said. I too am a Los Angeles native that was born and raised in the north valley which is where I still reside (mostly). I can't say enough about my hometown of Granada Hills. Its got a small town feel in a big city and real estate is a steal right now. Its close to everything, but far enough away. The support for the kids is a big one though, so Oceanside might be the way to go. Its a bit far, but I guess its way closer than Sac town Sounds like its time to make the move, so whatever you decide... good luck!

 

[Curtis Stanton]

The Coaster might a nice way to travel, but it won't always be the answer. Oceanside is 2 hrs by car from LA--when the traffic is flowing (that includes 80+ mph through Pendleton)--if traffic is bad you can add another hour. It's 45-50 minutes by car from Oceanside to the outskirts of San Diego--again, when the traffic is flowing. South Orange County traffic is now as bad as LA. Going the other way, traffic can be dead slow from Santa Fe Dr. in Encinitas all the way to San Diego. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time it can be very difficult. It doesn't take too many trips for that to become burdensome.

 

[Scott Miller]

Thank you everyone!! The decision is already made. Now to start cleaning house..

Already sold 1 member of my Land Rover Collection.... Anyone loooking to buy a pair of "Movie Cars".... Classic Land Rovers are used a LOT in commercials

Started clearing the garage, lots more to do.

Oceanside is far drive..... But i do have support there and in that area. In reality, I may end up crashing @ a buddies place in Hollywood on longer shoots but still being within "commuting" distance would make all the difference.

So if anyone hears of a screaming deal on a place to rent... You know who to PM

 

[mikeburton]

Good luck with the move Scott.

 

[Justin Harrison]

Hey good luck with the move! I'm born and raised in SoCal as well. Currently living down in the Southbay, Hermosa Beach to be exact. 90 min trek up to shoots is the norm but it's a great place to shoot and theres always something shooting in the area to keep you plenty busy...

 

[Michael Dalton]

What series are the landies? Old like Series 3 or old like 15 year old TDi's? Sorry about your wife. Have you thought about Africa? Cameras+land rovers = opportunities.

I have a need for a bunch of mint TDI pickups for an upcoming feature. Still a year or two out though.

 

[Dan Kanes]

Northridge is a really nice place to raise kids (in my opinion) and not as far as oceanside.

Pasadena is _amazing_, but housing prices are pretty high.

I'd seriously consider looking in the Altadena/Pasadena area - maybe La Crescenta, Sierra Madre.

San Gabriel is also an undervalued community to the east. Deeper east and affordable - West Covina, Diamond bar.

If you want to go deep east check out Claremont.

Personally I like the east side, and generally not a big fan of the west side (Santa Monica, Culver City, South Bay)- barring of course the west valley - which I love. You could also look at Thousand Oaks, Oxnard for Deeper west, even Ventura - all fairly undervalued and not as far as Oceanside.

You will probably end up spending a fair amount of gas money if you don't drive a 4 cylinder or hybrid.

I love the utopian idea of taking the train to work - but realistically that is a pipe dream. Not in this industry. Sorry for the hard truth.

I'd highly recommend something gas efficient that will keep your kids safe, and allow you to move equipment around if you need to. Something like a Ford Escape Hybrid:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/2689695759.html

 

[Dan Kanes]

By the way - project arbiter looks pretty cool.

 

[Richard Goodwin]

If ur just looking for an apartment to "crash" in then I think focus on areas intersecting freeways, 10 & 405, 110 & 101 etc.

West LA is clean but not super exciting but is between Culver and the Valley and there are studio type apartments that are sparse but reasonably priced.

 

[Scott Miller]

Michael.... Old, like a 1960 Sseries II 109" 5 Door... '60-'65 in Africa as a photographers support vehicle!! Frame off resto, but I never "decorated" the interior.

'71 88" Soft and Hard Top. 90% frame off. Daily driver.

Neither of mine are TDi... but I can get badges and sound effects to make them Actually both pre-date TDi tech by a few years/decades!!

Dan, Arbiter was amazing to work on. Jason Beckwith, here on RU, was/is the Dp... Amazing crew.

And for now, I already have to many vehicles, so stick with what I have. For the train, I almost thought it would be cheaper to keep a "spare" car near a logically located station and dual-mode to get to work. I know, nice theory

The reason for so far down the coast is this is a "Blind" move, and I already have a LOT of support in that area. I would pay the price mentally thru traffic and time, but my children would have friends and loving adults to assist. Later, as I determine how and where my income comes from I could reevaluate my location. But initially I would need to have some sort of social support to deal with the move.

 

[Scott Miller]

Here is a quick view of my "Stable"

 

[Tom Lowe]

No way you can commute from Oceanside to Burbank/Hollywood. You will lose 15 years off your life just from high blood pressure. Even from Long Beach it's a nightmare!

 

[Michael Dalton]

Nice, amazing condition. I had one similar, though it had been driven a little harder. 73 if not mistaken short wheel base, convertible. Moved to a petrol TDI for a bit, but gas was too expensive.

I'd like a the white one for a film I'm interested in doing.

 

[Scott Miller]

White one is available for hire/purchase Michael