Should I Move to LA? 5 Top Tips
Should you move to LA?
“Don’t go to Hollywood until you’re invited”
Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction/Reservoir Dogs/Lie to Me)
Every now and again, I meet an actor who has their sights set on Hollywood, and I have nothing but respect for that powerful desire to join the world’s elite actors in the capital of Western film and television production. But the reality is often very different from the dreams of Tinseltown, so here’s some things to think about before you make the decision.
ONE: You cannot get an agent or work legally in the United States of America without an O1 Visa, so don’t even THINK about a move to LA without researching your chances of getting one. This means no auditioning, and no waitressing to pay the rent, you cannot work, cannot approach agents or casting directors, without the correct visa. If you have no legal right to work in the US, you’re going to struggle out there. (And btw, even applying for a visa is a costly process, so think this through properly)
TWO: If you are thinking about heading out to the US to receive the great actor training that the West Coast is renowned for, that’s a great idea! But take care, the network of contacts you build during your time training in the US will be useless to you if you can’t stay on and use them. (By getting the right visa) (Short-term courses are another matter, just research the school thoroughly, there are lots of studios offering training, but make sure you’re not getting taken for a ride.) Also remember, if you aren’t from the US, that the US film and television industry works is quite different from the other countries, so advice you pick up out in LALA-land, might not apply back home.
THREE: Why do you want to move to LA? Because it’s the city of opportunity, in the land of opportunity? It’s considerably easier to become a big fish in a small pond first and then to move to LA. If you can demonstrate your success in the UK first, it will make the O1 visa easier to obtain! Just like the quote from Tim Roth at the top of the page, waiting until you’re inviting is great advice!
FOUR: Get Mad Business Skills: If you’re committed to going, then you are going to need skills, LA is an industry-town, and you need to treat this like a business from the word go, you’ll need to think about your budget, marketing, communication, cash-flow, outgoings, income – your move to LA will be much more successful if you plan the whole thing like a business. So if you’re serious about moving to LA, you better get these skills, oh and learn to drive, oh and save for a small car, you won’t get anywhere in LA on the bus.
FIVE: Are you any good? It would be good to get an assessment of your acting skills before you commit to moving to one of the most competitive acting industries in the world. Book a session with an acting coach to find out if you have what it takes before you commit to turning your dream into a reality.