Lifers In This Town

 If you're reading this, you're probably wondering how to survive day to day if you live in Hollywood OR if you want to work here.

Again, I can't tell you how to do it, because there is no real answer, I can tell you the majority of you will not make it over the ones that will. The ones that won't meander around town. They become staples that hang out at odd place and become "that guy." Because bars and such are closed, it makes sense that those "that guys" aren't within your peripheral. Instead, they're just...meandering. You lose more friends this way, because they have to spend more time surviving to follow their dream.

To stave off boredom, I suggest you people spinning your wheels, to focus on WHAT you are in this for. For the most part, no one knows. Perhaps you have a shitty childhood you want to correct. Or want to move people with your art. To me, it's always been about exorcising demons. My friend who directed out here had a similar thought. He tends to direct SUPER melodramatic movies. BUT, these are the movies I think he should do more of. And he is. Through animation. He found an avenue that makes sense with the emotion he's conveying and that combination yields awesome stories. To him, they are relationship woes. Betrayal. Uncontrolled rage. Pride and ego. All the things that make for great drama.

If you stay in this town long enough, disappointment will come. People are never honest about that. They put on a brave fascade. Do really dumb things to stay "in the game." The reality, the game can be anywhere you want.

Look, I may sound discouraging to a lot of people who are trying to crack into the business, but it's really not about that. It's really to encourage those who want to do it out here to consider your hometowns. Seriously. I see some really great projects out there so you know it can be done. Now every town has equipment rentals. You no longer need to be in L.A. to "make it." I know a lot of people willing to sell everything they have to come out here. Most of the ones who left here, were making MORE things before they got here.

Learn the hard way. Or hear me out.