moving to the Bay area , or Santa Monica

[dean merrill]

Hello,
I am going to be finishing my Cinematography Residency at The Workshops, and will be moving to the Bay area, or Santa Monica at the end of November. I'd love to hear suggestions on how to get a network setup out there for generating work. I'd prefer to stay out of LA proper, but am willing to commute / travel for projects. Any leads would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
~Dean

 

[Dane Brehm]

if you want to work in Film don't move to the San Francisco. If you are happy with Weddings, Silicon Valley Corporate work and Web Commercials then you may be able to etch out a living. Though Los Angeles is harder to break into, by sheer volume of work your bound to make it into something. I live outside of LA proper in the Southbay.

 

[AnthonyFlores]

Outside of LA "proper" - LOL. Not even sure what that means.

Yes, LA has it downsides, and if you hate traffic/hectic pace then Santa Monica is better than other parts.

But there are a LOT of great places to live in LA with high quality of life, and as Dan said, this is where the action is ....

Dean - I've lived all over LA and OC throughout my life, so PM me if you need any advice about finding the right area for you.

 

[Dan Kanes]

Santa Monica has the worst traffic in Los Angeles as far as I am concerned.

 

[Anthony Vu]

You said it man! The 10, 405, 101, 110, and all those freeways near there. So bad.

Santa Monica has the worst traffic in Los Angeles as far as I am concerned.

 

[dean merrill]

Dane,
Its definitely looking like I need to move closer to LA, and I most definitely dont want to be doing corporate and wedding videos! Thanks for the advice!

 

[dean merrill]

Sent PM

Outside of LA "proper" - LOL. Not even sure what that means.

Yes, LA has it downsides, and if you hate traffic/hectic pace then Santa Monica is better than other parts.

But there are a LOT of great places to live in LA with high quality of life, and as Dan said, this is where the action is ....

Dean - I've lived all over LA and OC throughout my life, so PM me if you need any advice about finding the right area for you.

 

[dean merrill]

You said it man! The 10, 405, 101, 110, and all those freeways near there. So bad.

This is good to know since I really hate traffic, but am willing to compromise to get my professional network setup and get some jobs!

 

[Rob Ruffo]

Santa Monica has the worst traffic in Los Angeles as far as I am concerned.

But you don;t have to drive as so much is walking distance - and for those of us used to real cities with normal sidewalks and people around, as opposed to car-only sprawl, it's one of few places in L.A. area that feels good to be in.

 

[Sam Eilertsen]

If you do end up going to San Francisco, I have a friend who has a film studio out there and I'd be glad to put you in touch. Most of his more interesting work is abroad though, in SF its a lot of commercial work for tech startups and the like.

I know LA is where you have to go to make it in narrative film, and I'm sure I'll end up there eventually...but San Francisco is my favorite city ever. Great food, great coffee, lots of interesting people, good night life, good public transport, parks everywhere...the only thing that sucks is the high cost of living.

 

[Johnny Friday]

I wonder how many move to LA to try and "make it" and then either end up working at Starbucks or moving home....I've watched LA eat most folks alive.....OR, they get caught up in the struggle and are 55 before they know it and not much further ahead. I grew up in LA in the 70's & 80's and it's NOTHING like it used to be.

.....just random thoughts scribbled down here.

 

[Zeb B]

I wonder how many move to LA to try and "make it" and then either end up working at Starbucks or moving home....I've watched LA eat most folks alive.....OR, they get caught up in the struggle and are 55 before they know it and not much further ahead. I grew up in LA in the 70's & 80's and it's NOTHING like it used to be.

.....just random thoughts scribbled down here.

Got on a board a west bound seven forty seven
Didn't think before deciding what to do
All that talk of opportunities, TV breaks and movies
Rang true, sure rang true.

Seems it never rain in Southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya
It pours man it pours.

Out of work, I'm out of my head
Out of self respect I'm out of bread
I'm under loved I'm under fed
I wanna go home
It never rains in California
But girl don't they warn ya, it pours, man it pours.

Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it
Had offers but don't know which one to take
Please don't tell them how you found me
Don't tell them how you found me give me a break
Give me a break

Seems it never rains in Southern California
Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before
It never rains in California
But girl, don't they warn ya
It pours man it pours

 

[Peter Strietmann]

Dude, go for it and don't look back! I'm partial to northern California. Follow your bliss.

 

[Matt Uhry]

LA is the worlds greatest concentration of moving image related artists and craftspeople, it's all here - and that makes for some gnarly traffic.

Matt Uhry - Grew up in Bay Area.
www.mattuhry.com