Do directors/writers ever do this? How do we get work in LA writing tv shows or what not....? What does someone do if they dont want to wait to get noticed and want to live the dream right now, what jobs are there that aren't ridiculously hard?
Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh...
That was my Butt-head imitation. Don't worry about Hollywood. I don't even like driving through it. There is no fast break in unless you're related to Francis Ford Coppola or somebody.
Just start doing what you do and try to make as many contacts as you can. Be careful who you trust. With a little talent and a lot of luck you might get to where you want.
But also don't fool yourself, if you are serious about making in, you have to set up shop in LA. That is the center of our little world, so you have to have roots there somehow.
I have an apartment I rent with about 4 other out of town actors and 2 in town actors and we have a phone number, an adress and a place to crash when we have to be in town for auditions or what not.
While I hate pounding the pavement because all it ever got me was sore feet, and I am active in doing your own thing and trying to make it happen on your own, I strongly believe you'll have to be ready to be in LA on a moments notice if that's what it takes, so just be prepared if your not prepared to pull up roots and go there now.
what is to be expected tho? How hard is it to get to be a writer for a stupid sitcom or director of commercials? What do you do there micheal? Do you have a day job or what?
Quote from: zerocool41How hard is it to get to be a writer for a stupid sitcom or director of commercials?
Don't kid yourself, man. 200 applicants for every 1 job.
And to make it even more difficult, it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know.
Okay...so someone give their story....have anyone of you done the move out to LA and what happened and what was your approach?
What is the most usual backup career that is attainable for writer/directors when/if they can't attain their dream?
>What is the most usual backup career that is attainable for writer/directors when/if they can't attain their dream?<
Try being a fluffer...
ok...any job that they will actually advertise for....will only pay like $7/hr....and it will be shitty. You also have these lame casting agency's that will also try to advertise for production assistants.....what you do is pay them a fee and they provide you with lists of films currently seeking crew and talent.....the trick, not a fuckin' one is a paying job nor a SAG production...although could be a lot of fun....it will not pay the bills. It is simple....if you don't have to actually pay bills, it could be fun to fetch coffee for a TV show or something
I know a lot of kids who are waiters/bartenders instead....and it makes me sick how much money they can actually make doing it....
So where do all the directors get jobs??? Does everyone know someone? writers for that 70's show...where did they come from and how did they get their jobs?
Is the one and truly only way to make a short film, submit it to festivals, and win them all?
Once you write a script or tv pilot, how do you get that seen?
Quote from: zerocool41So where do all the directors get jobs??? Does everyone know someone? writers for that 70's show...where did they come from and how did they get their jobs?
Is the one and truly only way to make a short film, submit it to festivals, and win them all?
Once you write a script or tv pilot, how do you get that seen?
Agents play a part in all of those questions. Studios will not look at spec scripts because of legal reasons (agents won't either, but if your querry letter strikes them, then they will request it). So unless you know someone who will look at it, or have an agent that will sent it for you, it's very slim to none they will accept it. Also, TV shows have a set staff of writers anyway, so they have their team and will very rarely take outsider scripts.
Ok so agents are key.....how does one acquire one?
Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh...
QuoteOk so agents are key.....how does one acquire one?
That is the question isn't it. Depends on what type of agent you want. A talent agent, a writers agent...
You will also need a manager and at some point a lawyer.
To get an agent y7ou need to have a job, to get a job you need an agent. See the Catch 22. Xixax is right it is WHO you know.
As for your questions above about a writer for a stupid sitcom and how hard is it. Damn hard. Damn damn damn hard. I am lobbying right now to get a job as a writer for "Unscrewed with Martin Sergeant" and it ain't easy, I am competing with several hundred other candidates.
The biz ain't an easy nut to crack. You have to be persistant and tough and not give up.
This business is not for the faint of heart. If you want to be successful, you need to give up pretty much everything and devote your blood, sweat, and tears to it until you make it (if you even make it that far).
To get an entry level job, you need to possess every skill from making coffee for the boss, all the way to programming a linux mainframe... this is because, whatever is asked of you, you will be damned if you ever say you don't know how to do it! the three words that kill you the fastest in this town are "i don't know"... and not only that, but you will be getting paid $7 to do it... if that! I know because i've done it also... i've posted temp jobs for my company... i asked for knowledge in lots of things, and for certain production jobs, they had to have their own equipment. i said that there would be no pay, but that there would be a deferement if the production gained distribution... guess how many responses i got... over 300. many times, i end up going with someone i've worked with before.
Everything you know about life and business is reversed here in Hollywood... things that wouldn't make much sense in real life, make perfect sense here.
there are two things you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO REMEMBER about this business if you want to succeed:
1. everything is about the money. fuck the creativity, the art, the glamour, the excitement, etc... only one thing matters in this BUSINESS... the money.
2. no matter how GREAT you think you are... there are 2500 other people that would litterally stab you in your back to have your job... and the bosses know this, so stay on your tippy toes and don't crack any eggshells. there are way more bright-eyed-newcomers where you came from.
This is all sad but true...
Nick
Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh...
I was seriously just shaking my head like "I don't care, I'm still gonna try anyway", with like real determination and shit.
Then I read Voice Of Nick's comment on having to know how to make coffee and I seriously froze and was just thinking of how sad it would be if I got fired for not knowing how to make coffee...
aw
I know this guy who worked for Warner Brothers for a few days, and then got fired because he didn't bring ketchup with an exec's lunch! Sheesh... though, if you're willing to work hard, it could all be worth it!
Nick
Ah! I topic I love and hate, much like the industry itself. The most surprising thing I learned after getting my feet wet is how much it truly is an accomplishment to get a film made out here. You would think that director of insert-bad-movie-here would be spit upon if they stepped on the street. Not true. Many, many people have to all give the thumbs up and dole out a buttload of cash to get a movie made. That takes a lot of convincing. A major accomplishment.
What's been said above is so true. Every show that you think is crap has many people fighting to get that crap job. You'd be surprised to see what gigs people take to 1) get ahead 2) pay the bills 3) get experience
Re: Agents. From what I've found, if you're a newbie, your best bet is a referral from a client. That's the fastest route in-- and also the hardest. Networking and sheer luck is the only way you'll get into a client's graces-- remember, they're doing YOU a favor. And most important of all-- you better have more that one thing to show if you do impress that agent, otherwise you might get the 'one-hit-wonder' stigma and they won't sign you. Prove you have some range and flexibilty.
Zerocool41, re: back-ups. There is no usual one, everyone does what they have to in order to get by. But my personal advice is to NOT let yourself have a back-up of any kind. Balls out or nothing. When people get cushy back-up jobs, in the biz or not, they always end up there. There's no more desperation/inspiration when the bills are comfortably paid on time every month and you're looking at a promotion that will pay a bit more. This approach is no fun, but at least you're working towards something. You HAVE TO write/direct a genius script/short in order to get out of the hole you're in. Don't say 'well, i'll fall back on this teaching degree if things don't work out.' Eventually, you will. Not having a back-up and major desperation landed me my first paying assignment.
Oh yeah, and my favorite part: everyone wants you to work for free, especially if you're a writer. Be prepared to spend weeks to work out every detail of some project and not get the job. I've never seen any outright idea-stealing in a major sense, but those little nuggets of genius often find their way around.
If any poor soul actually made it to the end of this rambling post, I'm just curious how many people who post here actually work in the business out here in LA in some capacity or another.
I live in SF but split time in LA because that is the place isn't it. I'm the preverbial jack (ass) of all trades, writer/director/actor so my job is essentially auditioning, interviewing and groveling.
I started my own theater company a few years back and did some exciting work that got lots of notice, so it helped to cement me in with contacts and YET.... it still wasn't enough to land that agent or deal or what not. So I plug away at my own thing just to do what I was born to do.
So my LA time is really just auditions and what not. I spend Pilot season down there, like the million other yahoos... What can you do.
I have my web series going now, and that's getting some attention which is nice. Plus an indie feature in pre-production for a September shoot. So, it's crazy time.
this thread makes me wanna put my head through a tv or get stung by a killer bee...
take a xanax and call me later...
holly wood if she could but she cant so she dont...
try this:
kick down the front door and put it in her poop shoot...
simple yet effective plan that doesnt waste time or money...
see me later
It would be lovely if you could make it on ideas.
Wouldn't it be lovely? Just lovely.
Don't you think that might just saturate the market at little bit? Ya think?
"You think?"
"Yes, sir."
"What the fuck? We have no room for thinkers! You're wasting my taking with all your fucking thinking! The marketplace doesn't want to think! The consumer's an idiot!"
"Yes, sir."
"Get outta here!"
"Yes, sir."
Quote from: The Silver BulletIt would be lovely if you could make it on ideas.
Wouldn't it be lovely? Just lovely.
They're called 'pitches'. And good ones get bought.
Quote from: MacGuffinQuote from: The Silver BulletIt would be lovely if you could make it on ideas.
Wouldn't it be lovely? Just lovely.
They're called 'pitches'. And good ones get bought.
he's been trying to act smart or sumthin to impress that which he does not believe and has openly dissed. it's funny cos it backfired.
Quote from: MacGuffinQuote from: The Silver BulletIt would be lovely if you could make it on ideas.
Wouldn't it be lovely? Just lovely.
They're called 'pitches'. And good ones get bought.
I had three good ones... actually made it through several departments of a certain television company, but to no avail. lots of back and forth and lots of legal-ese, but none made it through...
One thing to know about entertainment, is that if you have money, you're in! All of the poor saps trying to make it in are exactly that... POOR! If you've got money, you can instantly be a hollywood insider. After killing myself for almost a year, i decided it wasn't for me to be a peon, but to be the boss... so I started my own company... that's the way to make it in hollywood... just look at PTA with Ghoulardi.
Nick
Quote from: TheVoiceOfNickmoney,
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.federationforpeace.com%2Fmoney.jpg&hash=f8b308bbf3ddcd223ea5aefcc5ae96973f83ecc3)
what it comes down to...
QuoteAnd good ones get bought.
Hence
Gigli et al.
Quotehe's been trying to act smart or sumthin to impress that which he does not believe and has openly dissed. it's funny cos it backfired.
What've I openly "dissed"?
Your "constantly pissed" attitude is great, by the way, P. Shows maturity. It's funny 'cause you're an idiot.
Quote from: The Silver BulletQuoteAnd good ones get bought.
Hence Gigli et al.
The original idea could have been much different. It was good to someone who bought it. In fact, it is not uncommon for movies to change from their original concept. Isn't it the same with movies when the product is finished? Some people like certain movies, some don't. And remember, scripts go through revision upon revision too. "Gigli" would mostly be better with a different cast as to not focus on a real life romance, and with a different director/production team to have steered the production right at first sign of disaster. But all films start with an idea. And good ones get bought.
Point taken, and accepted.
Maybe I should have said "on ideas alone"?
Or not?
Quote from: The Silver BulletYour "constantly pissed" attitude is great, by the way, P. Shows maturity. It's funny 'cause you're an idiot.
no, IM an idiot
Quote from: The Silver BulletYour "constantly pissed" attitude is great, by the way, P. Shows maturity. It's funny 'cause you're an idiot.
maybe its the whiskey ive consumed here but let me make sure i understand what ur saying- so u want to be banned right away? is that right?
:!:
I'm just giving to him what he's constantly giving to me.
Would you like me to change my post, ©brad?
i'm talking about u chasing "me" around everywhere he posts, suddenly being vaguer/more annoying than usual just to appear to be on sum higher intellectual level pondering the human condition. it's totally transparent and hypocritical cos u've said in ur "blog" that u don't believe Me is anyone or anything special.
if u retracted that statement, forgive me i didn't see the "blog" update.
whatever, ur either gonna deny this or say u don't know what i'm talking about, it's fucking obvious and ur fucking lame. apologies to aclockworkjj, he is the Frank Sinatra of charisma compared to u.
You're right: I am going to deny something. Check your PM inbox.
Although, in regard to "chasing" Me around everywhere, whatever, P. When someone's posts amuse you, why wouldn't you reply to them? I'm not going to start not posting replies to Me because you think I'm trying to be something I'm not. When Godardian first showed up, I followed her from thread to thread too, not being vague, but being analytical [or trying], because that was the way to talk to her. You jumped down my throat then too, told me I had my "pinky in the air". I'm sorry, if I get a kick out of any more members, I'll be sure to avoid them...
Unlike you, P, I'm making an effort to get along with and be a part of the community. You just seem to like leaving people out of it. I'm not "fucking lame". Please stop acting as though you're above me.
Quote from: The Silver BulletI'm sorry, if I get a kick out of any more members, I'll be sure to avoid them...
yep u do that.
Quote from: The Silver BulletUnlike you, P, I'm making an effort to get along with and be a part of the community. You just seem to like leaving people out of it.
let's see--
ppl i've excluded and everyone hates anyway: like 9, ever.
ppl i've included and made feel welcome cos they were good: everyone else.
that's the problem with u snobs, u gotta bring everyone down with u. with no regard for statistical truths.
Does everyone hate me, P?
How's about I avoid you, you avoid me, and we'll leave it at that?
i'm actually moving to LA in 2 months on september 25th, in fact. i want to be a filmmaker. and i can't be the type of filmmaker i wanna be in cleveland, i have to move to LA for that kind of shot. i was wondering if anyone is from the LA area and that is willing to get a cup of coffee with me when i get there and talk about film and filmmaking. hit me up sometime on my e*mail. rudieob@yahoo.com (please please please leave a subject like XIXAX.COM so i know i would wanna read it cuz i get a lot of spam junk mail.) or IM me @ "rudieob" on AIM.
*rudie*
Quote from: PQuote from: The Silver BulletI'm sorry, if I get a kick out of any more members, I'll be sure to avoid them...
yep u do that.
Quote from: The Silver BulletUnlike you, P, I'm making an effort to get along with and be a part of the community. You just seem to like leaving people out of it.
let's see--
ppl i've excluded and everyone hates anyway: like 9, ever.
ppl i've included and made feel welcome cos they were good: everyone else.
that's the problem with u snobs, u gotta bring everyone down with u. with no regard for statistical truths.
I'm not trying to choose sides, but I do have to agree with P. I've just recently started coming here regularly and P sent me a private message helping me out when I uknowningly broke one of the unwritten rules. He didn't do it to be a jerk, just to help me out so that other people wouldn't be jerks to me. I thought that was pretty cool of him (her? sorry, I don't know). I appreciated the help because he (she?) helped me with somene that might've pissed off a bunch of people and I like to be friendly with everyone.
Quote from: OmegaSlackerI thought that was pretty cool of him (her? sorry, I don't know). I appreciated the help because he (she?) helped me with somene that might've pissed off a bunch of people and I like to be friendly with everyone.
P's a "shim" and a damned fine one at that...
aw
Quote from: rudieobi'm actually moving to LA in 2 months on september 25th, in fact. i want to be a filmmaker. and i can't be the type of filmmaker i wanna be in cleveland, i have to move to LA for that kind of shot. i was wondering if anyone is from the LA area and that is willing to get a cup of coffee with me when i get there and talk about film and filmmaking. hit me up sometime on my e*mail. rudieob@yahoo.com (please please please leave a subject like XIXAX.COM so i know i would wanna read it cuz i get a lot of spam junk mail.) or IM me @ "rudieob" on AIM.
*rudie*
I wouldn't want to get a cup of coffee with someone with an avatar like that! pshyco! Just kidding... email me (by going to my site and hitting "contact") or PM me when you're in Cali.
Nick
http://ifilm.com/filmdetail?ifilmid=2474662&cch=61