Screenwriters Moving to Los Angeles: Insights From A Recent Transplant

When did you decide to move to Los Angeles, and why?
Once I got a fairly solid understanding of this business I recognized that if I really wanted to have a career, that is get paid to write and direct features and especially TV, I had no choice but to move to LA at some point.  I know there are a lot of people who want to believe (and I was one of them) that it doesn’t matter where you live, especially in this day and age with PDF scripts, Skype and the like.  You can write anywhere (that part is true), but if you want to WORK as a writer or a director, get paid regularly to do one or both of those things, you have to come to LA.  It’s true for features and it’s doubly true for TV.

Directors have a little more leeway if they can manage to shoot high quality stuff wherever they are and draw attention to their work.  And if you want to work in production (AD, camera, costume, art dept, grip, etc.) or act, you can base yourself in Toronto or New Orleans or Vancouver or Atlanta…anyplace a good amount of filming is going on.  But all the writers and a vast majority of the directors get hired here in LA, almost exclusively through previous relationships or direct industry recommendations, and the TV writers’ rooms are here (even the shows that “set up” their writer rooms wherever they’re shooting like Toronto or Portland, hire their writers here in LA).  And the people who do the hiring want to meet you face-to-face, often several times, meetings can get rescheduled at a moments notice, their boss wants to meet you first, etc, etc, etc.  So if you’re not here, able to be around for all that and everything to follow, they’re not going to hire you.  Why should they?  There are thousands of talented writers and directors who do live right here in LA to choose from.  They’re not going to come to you.

So, I decided some time ago I’d make this move.  The time finally came when I realized I either moved here and tried to make it happen, or I accepted that writing and directing were hobbies that I’d do in my spare time living somewhere else.  I decided I’d rather not spend my life wondering, “What if?”.

Did you have any significant relationships in Los Angeles when you moved out here?
No.  No close friends, no family, no representation.  That was easily the scariest part of making the move.

How did you go about connecting with other writers and building inroads in the community and industry?
I knew some industry folks from film festivals and conferences (I wrote and directed a short film that got me to Sundance and some other great festivals)…mostly other writers and directors, a few managers, agents, producers and whatnot who I had met long enough to give them my business card, maybe got their contact info in return.

But I’d kept in touch as best I could with the people I genuinely liked and respected and I made sure to let them know I was coming and when I had made it here.  I asked them to coffee or lunch or whatever fit their schedule.  I made sure they understood I was interested in building a relationship with them, not just their industry contacts and access.  If that’s how you think you’ll get ahead here, think again.  Industry folks in LA can tell in a second when you’re just trying to use them and they don’t appreciate it.  They also have extremely good bullshit detectors.

I asked them where to look for writers groups, industry panels, screenings, networking events.  And then I got my butt to as many of those events as I could make and afford.  I still do.  And people I meet at those I follow up with and start the cycle all over again.

Have you had opportunities to network since you’ve been here? If so, tell me about them.
One of the great things about LA, and yet another reason to move here, is that opportunities to network in the entertainment industries are everywhere.  If you go to a coffee shop, bar, restaurant, museum or movie screening and strike up a conversation, half the time that person is connected to film or TV or music (or wants to be).

And yes, official “networking” events are being held constantly.  Industry panels, breakfasts, luncheons, happy hours, screenings, readings…you name it.  Some are free, some cost money.  I’ve gone to events hosted by the WGA, DGA, Academy, Academy of TV.  Often these are open to the public (for a price) and I’ve made friends who are members of the various guilds and academies so sometimes I even get to go to member only shindigs.  See, networking begets more networking.

Sadly, some people take advantage of others’ dreams and charge for events that aren’t worth your time or money.  But after a while, you get a feel for what’s worth it and what’s not.

Can you tell me one or two highlights of things that happened for you, your writing and/or directing since you moved here?
I’ve had the chance to meet with and even pitch some Hollywood players that I wouldn’t have thought possible not too long ago.  (Not gonna name drop, that’s so uncool.  As Harv was saying to me the other day…you know, Harvey Weinstein…)  Not bad for less than six months in town.

An exec I met with liked me and my stuff enough to tell a manager friend of his to contact me and read my material.  It’s kinda cool having reps track you down and ask to read your stuff rather than the other way around.

Now having been here for a number of months, what have been your benefits of moving to Los Angeles?
Mostly the people I’ve met that I wouldn’t meet living anywhere else.  Almost every meeting I’ve gotten or solid industry connection I’ve made has been because I met someone here who took an interest in what I’m doing and introduced me to someone else who’s interested in the same things or is in the industry.

Example: I went to a friendly poker game at someone’s house.  Chatted with a guy, just table talk, and told him about my short film.  He said he had a buddy who loved that kind of thing (my short is a ghost story), I should really meet him.  Next day I get an email introducing me to his friend who worked for a comic book company and is a legit producer.  (The “legit” part is important, there are a lot of so-called “producers” in LA who’ll waste your time)  We hit it off and there may be something down the road that will come of that.

There’s another lesson for you–don’t just go to industry events.  Have a life.  Do things that you enjoy.  I went to that poker game because I like to play poker.  It wasn’t an industry game, just random people.  But even random people in LA may know someone who could be the key to your big break.  And even if they don’t, doing things you like with people you enjoy will keep you sane.

Have any of the experiences you’ve had here surprised you, or maybe dispelled any misconceptions?
When I’ve been fortunate enough to meet top tier writers, showrunners, producers and directors they’ve almost universally been good people who’ve been very generous with their time and advice.  I’m talking people like Joss Whedon, Glen Mazzara, Ang Lee, Nina Jacobson (if you don’t know who some of these people are, you should…time to use that IMDbPro account).

While LA may not be purely a meritocracy, those who’ve had long term success have invariably worked their butts off and often still remember what it was like looking for that first break.  As long as you’re respectful of their time and don’t try to pitch them or shove a script at them the second you meet them, they’re happy to help.

And LA is not populated exclusively by hipsters and glitterati wannabes.  Most folks I’ve met are just regular people, often with creative dreams.  Then again, I don’t hang out at trendy lounges drinking $20 martinis.

For writers considering moving to Los Angeles, what would be your advice?
Have several (3 to 4 minimum) PROFESSIONAL LEVEL scripts in your pocket.  Not the first few scripts you wrote, I’m talking stuff you’ve gotten professional coverage and a “Recommend” from a respected reader on.  The people who matter (i.e. quality agents and managers, people with the money or power to MAKE a project) are not impressed with one good script.

Save up as much money as you can before the move and whatever you think your monthly budget is going to be, I guarantee you’ve severely underestimated it.  Have a reliable car.  Have a long term plan…I know quite a few extremely talented people (I’ve read and seen their work and know it to be true) who have been here for years, some more than ten, and have never gotten projects to take off for them.  Right place, right time, right contacts, right project…a lot has to align for you to get that first shot.  And then you have to pull it off again, and again, and again.  Thinking you’ll give LA a year or two to become a big success, you’re better off staying where you are.

That being said, if you’re in a place in your life where you can make the move…just do it (don’t sue me, Nike).  Obviously marriage, kids, a house, your job and a lot of other things may make moving difficult to impossible.  Figure out how important writing for TV or features as a genuine career is to you.  If it’s the only thing you can imagine doing and being happy, get your butt to LA.