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LOS ANGELES?

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I couldn’t agree more.  I started in LA, and got nowhere, it was very frustrating.  I then moved to NY where I got lots more experience and was able to do lots of free, bad theatre (oh boy!).  The most film/tv work I’ve gotten has been in the regional market, in NC.  I’ve built up my resume enough, and got my SAG card, that I’m now ready to head back to NY.  Honestly, I wouldn’t go back to LA unless it was for a job.  Not a good place to be ’struggling’.  : )

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frustrating.  I then moved to NY where I got lots more experience and was able to do lots of free, bad theatre (oh boy!).  The most film/tv work I’ve gotten go back to LA unless it was for a job.  Not a good place to be ’struggling’.  : )

wow…there is a lot to be said for someone who goes to NY to work…That’s as hard an area to break into as well. I told myself I wouldn’t go back there unless there was a job involved… NY is known for it’s theatre work…but I proudly hold up LA as the worst place for theatre, as most actors are on stage just to " be seen" doing something and have no desire for the work involved… my opinion of why there is so much bad improv theatre out here… all the exposure with none of the commitment of rehearsals..or learning lines….which most of you probably know is no way to run an improv show… IMHO david

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.but I proudly hold up LA as the worst place for theatre, as most actors are on stage just to " be seen" doing something and have no desire for the work involved…

And you want me to believe the people acting elsewhere have no interest in "being seen" and maybe getting offers for something better? Gimme a break.

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And you want me to believe the people acting elsewhere have no interest in "being seen" and maybe getting offers for something better? Gimme a break.

ahh too true…but I didn’t notice that in the case of smaller city theatre..especially improv…if there is a bigger market, then I agree with you, everyone wants to be seen, but in LA it is more the rule that the exception. I stand by my intended comment, there is more bad improv theatre in LA per capita than any other area.

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Yeah David! Life’s a Beach in L.A.! He he…sorry couldn’t help it.  You know starting in a smaller market is safer and easier. Too……Once you have an agent in a smaller market. It is much easier to obtain one in a larger one. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – frustrating.  I then moved to NY where I got lots more experience and was able

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Interested in moving to LA but have no idea about school district and housing price. Only know LA area is very very big and has many cities. Anyone knows which web sites I can get these info? Thanks. pma —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

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Interested in moving to LA but have no idea about school district and housing price. Only know LA area is very very big and has many cities. Anyone knows which web sites I can get these info? Thanks. pma —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

pma-     I’ve been in the L.A. area for seven years. Have found that being in the city itself is not a great idea. There are plenty of communities in the West San Fernando Valley that are nice. If you tell me what grades or high school is needed and how big of a house you’d like, I’ll be more than happy to give you a short list of the best places to live.     Overall, here in the valley, houses range anywhere from about 150,000 to 800,000 depending on size and location. Feel free to e-mail me at     I love L.A. and hope to stay here for quite a  long time. regards, Jim

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Is this the best place to start out? Jon

Response:

Is this the best place to start out? Jon

Personally wherever you are is the best place to start out. LA is a good place to hit when you’re a bit steadier….and a great place to work..However, you can start in LA as well, it’s just a pretty tough place to learn the ropes as it were, the competition is pretty stiff, ruthless, and sometimes when you think you find someone to help you with your career, they really just want to use you. Hope I don’t sound to jaded. However, don’t use the excuse of not being in A to not start your career. I made a living in places such as Charlotte NC, Cincinnati OH, Vegas is full of opportunities, almost all small towns have something to do as far as acting goes….professional or otherwise. david

Response:

David is correct, IMHO.  It is a tough place to learn the ropes and develop your instrument.  It can, and has been done.  But, his point about regional work is very good.  I’ve worked different parts of the country and have managed, from time-to-time, to be able to live off my earnings as an actor without a "day job".  I’ve gotten kinda of snooty about "no-pay" stuff though. However, there was a time when I did work community theater just because I needed to do a certain part for the experience—and, the actor had to act! Ascend to the top of the heap regionally before going west, because when you get there you will be competing with a lot of others who have ascended to their regional tops and have decided its time to make their "big run at it".

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