• Registered: 2009-11-26
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Topic: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

I'm looking at a 2 week eta for L.A. arrival & my current 2 options are a hotel for 2 wks, or renting a room on Crenshaw for at least 6 wks.

Hotel = better area for $X but only 2 wks, or

House = relatively bad area, but more stay time for the $, while I look for work., & I have a friend there.

Friend claims all is fine in that neighborhood, but others are advising me against it...but...better for my budget, and...i know someone.

I don't have much time to decide on either, but the hotel is reserved as a backup.

Finding a job is a different story altogether (but if anyone has advice, I'm all ears lol)

Thoughts/advice/etc.?

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  • Teague
  • Teague
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Crenshaw and what?

Also, we are to meet, sir.

Teague Chrystie

I have a tendency to fix your typos.

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
  • Posts: 21

Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Looks like Crenshaw and St Charles. Between Venice blvd and W. Washington.

And yes, meeting would be great.

Last edited by cinebo (2011-01-04 05:33:13)

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  • From: Florida
  • Registered: 2009-12-01
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Good luck with the job hunt out there sir.  My advice, start looking at Craigslist etc, before you land.  Even better, get a few meetings set up before you get there; most studios don't like, or even accept walk ins, I've tried.

Matt Vayda's Website

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  • Eddie
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  • Registered: 2009-11-23
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Yeah man, you gotta come correct.  Start cold calling NOW.

Eddie Doty

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Good tip, and thanks. yeah I've been applying to everything and anything that I know I can do. The only thing i can't do yet (cuz I have no access) is Final Cut, but I could learn it easily. I've thought about boning up on FCP tutorials so I can at least say that I'm familiar with it. Other than that...fingers crossed.

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

@ Eddie - If you mean calling production houses, yeah I def. will. So far, I've been checking 2-pop, craigslist, Motionagrapher, etc. and emailing like crazy.

I know I can do the work, I just need that one (or 2, or 3) foot in the door so I can prove it.  smile

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
  • Posts: 21

Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Sooo, if it makes a difference, the house with the room I might rent is 4 miles from USC, which I'm hearing isn't the best area, but the friend who's lived there for about 5 years, swears it's not that bad.

I'm not picky, really. I just wanna move to LA, not live in my car, work, and not get shot.

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  • From: Florida
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

I'd say go with the option that gives you the most amount of time, regardless of location.  Either way, if you're doing it right, you shouldn't be spending a lot of time there, so really all we're talking about is where you'll sleep.  The other consideration is transportation; are you driving out, or borrowing / renting a car, because you'll need one.

Matt Vayda's Website

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Driving. Also, it looks like I'll actually have a better living arrangement, after all. Now *cracks knuckles* to scour the web/phone and find a job. smile

Last edited by cinebo (2011-01-04 23:35:12)

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  • Teague
  • Teague
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

What are you best at, passable at, and what do you think you could handle?

Teague Chrystie

I have a tendency to fix your typos.

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  • From: LA
  • Registered: 2010-05-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

I will second the option that gives you the most flexibility, and you really shouldn't be to concerned with "neighborhoods" for now, set that aside for your actual apartment hunting.

From personal experience, I had a great friend who was willing to let me crash on his couch when I drove cross country out here, granted I had the job lined up at that point, so it was just a "till I locate a place" situation, but it was much easier than trying to put up with the $ of some form of hotel.

I join in on the good luck wishes in landing a gig, I have been lucky recently, and as a byproduct a bit out of the loop for anything that might be out there, but I'm sure you'll be able to find something if your willing to burn some shoe leather hunting it down. (is that phrase still in use?)

See what I've worked on recently here:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2869151/
And ways to get in touch with me at:
http://www.google.com/profiles/SethBrower

Seth_Brower's Website

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Down in Front wrote:

What are you best at, passable at, and what do you think you could handle?

Best at After Effects. Passable at Avid, with a couple hours of brushing up. (was my first edit experience, and learned it like the back of my hand), and I'm sure I could handle FCP, if I watched some videos, or had it available for a couple hours.

Otherwise, I'm familiar with a few other vfx apps, (some 3D, but mostly 2D), and I honestly love this stuff. I'm more comfortable in terms of 2D work, for now, but I want to learn everything I can. Different apps, methods, everything.

Last edited by cinebo (2011-01-09 06:00:53)

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

re: Seth_Brower- Thank you.  I thought about that first place for days, but I've never lived in LA, and if a bunch of people start telling me to re-think a part of town...I'll def. consider that pov =P

Thanks for the support smile

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  • Eddie
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

There are tons of production companies that still use Avid.  The Assistant Editor talent pool is rich here, but surprisingly fewer AE's know Avid that well.  If you're staying near by, I could give you a refresher course on FCP and tell you what you would need to know as an AE or cutter.  I might have some work I'd be able to kick you down at my company, but nothing concrete yet.

Eddie Doty

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Eddie -  I'd really appreciate that, my friend. Thanks so much. re: FCP

If you *can* pass me some work that would be awesome.

Thanks for the AVID tip, also.

I really appreciate all the support. smile

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  • From: Buffalo, NY
  • Registered: 2010-01-08
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Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

Mind you, this being Hollywood I assume there's a casting couch for editors as well wink

I write stories! With words!
http://www.asstr.org/~Invid_Fan/

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  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 444

Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

lol. Wear something pretty.

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  • Registered: 2009-11-26
  • Posts: 21

Re: Soon-to-be L.A. newbie. Advice?..

lol

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