For some people moving is one of the most exciting things in the world, and for others it’s the most terrifying. Moving for a career is even more exciting/terrifying. So many new possibilities!…and so many things that can fall apart. When an actor moves to advance their acting career, it’s unlike any other industry – there aren’t openings for the same position in cities all over the country. Acting job opportunities have very centralized markets, with a large city at the center. The most popular of these is, of course, Hollywood.
Why is moving out to LA such a big deal? How is making the move to LA different from going to be a teacher in Philadelphia or an engineer in Phoenix? What can actors do to prepare for moving to Los Angeles? Here are tips I’ve put together based on personal experience, and the experiences of people in my network.
Financial Preparations
As of 2022, California is the third most expensive state to live in. Those costs are higher depending on which part of the state you’re in, but I’m sure you already know that LA is a pretty pricey place to live. Telling people to save up their money might sound like common sense, and it definitely is. But the last thing you want to deal with is a financial emergency or unexpected expense, and not have the funds to take care of it while still covering rent and other bills.
You can research expenses online to get an idea of what daily life in LA will cost you. Don’t just look at rent, consider everyday expenses like gas, groceries, and all the different taxes California has that your state might not. You’d be surprised at the differences in prices when you cross a state border.
Of course, we can’t forget about your expenses as an actor! Coaches, classes, other resources…only in a perfect world will they pay for themselves.
While I’ve made it my mission to help actors break away from traditional employment, I know that money doesn’t grow on trees (science isn’t that advanced yet). Unless you’re already on the precipice of financial independence, you shouldn’t compromise your financial stability. If you still need a job, then you still need a job, and the job hunt is rough no matter where you live. One smart trick I picked up is to find a part-time job at a chain with locations in or near LA. That way when you move you can request a transfer to a California location.
Research the Neighborhoods
Moving always requires a degree of research. What’s the public transportation system like? How good are the schools? What’s the closest hospital? How bad is rush hour traffic?
Actors have a few other considerations when moving. LA county isn’t homogenous- there are 88 cities and over 400 neighborhoods for you to look into. This is where your acting career strategy comes into play. Not every audition is going to be in Hollywood, and unless you’re landing a new audition every other day there’s no real benefit to living near Warner Bros.
Don’t feel pressured to live right next door to ‘where all the action is’…because it doesn’t work like that anymore. This industry is constantly growing and evolving. There are other markets in big cities like New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston. Depending on the type of actor you want to be, LA might not even be the right place for you!
Make Connections Before You Move
This is arguably the most important thing for actors to do before moving to LA. No one likes to be the new kid in town, and making meaningful industry connections is the fastest way to open up doors to future opportunities. Start by looking at your current network. The six degrees of separation is pretty powerful, and you might actually know a guy who knows a guy who knows…well, you get the picture.
If you don’t have any connections of your own to tap into, leverage social media. Hit up Reddit to ask for advice from a dedicated community of like-minded people. Go to Twitter and let the entire world throw some tidbits of wisdom your way (you might even get responses from a few celebrities, it’s impossible to know with that site). Look for Facebook groups dedicated to actor success, actors looking to expand their network, and resources for working actors.
If possible, try to connect with people who have made the move before and get insight from their experiences. Not only will you get the information you need to make the move significantly more painless, you’ll add some new faces to your growing network. Note how I said ‘connect with people’, not ‘connect with other actors’. A diverse network is a strong network; you’ll want to connect with directors, producers, editors, etc as well as other actors.
Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
There’s preparing, and then there’s over preparing. By over preparing I mean panicking, overdoing it, and then getting so overwhelmed by your anxiety that you change your mind and stay where you are – geographically, financially, and creatively.
LA isn’t one of those ‘I’ll give it a year and if it doesn’t work, I’ll move back’ kind of places. Either you’re in it for the long haul, or you’re not ready to relocate. If you’re not sure about moving, you don’t have to. Moving to LA makes it easier for you to find steady work as an independent actor, that’s the cold hard truth of it. But thanks to this fancy invention called the ‘internet’, artistically-inclined people have the ability to create their own opportunities almost anywhere in the world.
Ready to make some big moves of your own? Join my online actor career development program and gain access to exclusive resources for aspiring actors like you!