NY vs. LA

[Paul J.]

Okay, so I know we are all focused on finding which school is best for us and getting in but I find myself already pondering on life after school. Both coasts have brilliant schools but what are the prospects afterwards? It would be a shame to build a solid network in NY just to find nothing is made there - and to be forced to move to L.A. afterwards (and to start from scratch network-wise).

I ask this question as a guy moving from a different continent so forgive my lack of knowledge I know New York is really cultural but is there an actual working "studio-system"?

 

[Chris W]

I unfortunately don't have much experience in NY. I'd love to get an editing gig there to try it out though... Although not sure I want to be away from my kids and wife that long.

Culturally its different than LA as well. I'm originally from Boston though so it'd be familiar to me.

Hopefully someone else can have a better answer for you. Sorry.

 

[Chris W]

@Kevin Wilson is in NYC now and may have a good answer for you on this...

 

[IndecisiveElle]

NY is a bit smaller base but it's growing because there is a ton of TV being shot there now. If you're determined and want to work in the film industry, pick the city that feels like home and make a go of it there. I understand what you're saying about developing a network of people only to have to change gears and locations, but you'll find it's easier than it sounds. I can't speak as much for being in the studio system, but in the indie world, everyone is from all over the place and a lot of indie movies are still shot in the 3rd areas with crew migrating from NYC or LA or anywhere in between.

 

[Paul J.]

Thanks for the insight! I kind of recognize that pattern from where I live. However, I guess I was more concerned of all "NY-projects" being crewed with L.A. talent and migrated over on a project basis. That, or just shoot establishment shots and film everything else in California Good to hear that TV is gearing up in NY! As an outsider, I kind of always thought as NY as "the second film hub" in the U.S. but that has always been guesswork, and I would hate to base moving over from another continent on assumptions. That would be kind of dumb, eh?

 

[IndecisiveElle]

NY isn't a city that's ruled by the entertainment industry like LA, but it's certainly just as viable to make a lasting and worthwhile career there. Moving across the country is hard enough of a decision for me! I can't imagine what it would be like to move to a different continent!

 

[JSM]

Hey there,

I lived in NYC for 8 years before getting into UCLA and moving to the west coast. Both cities are great hubs for the industry, but you are correct in assuming that the majority of the opportunities are primarily based in LA. If your focus is in film, particularly independent film, NYU and Columbia would be great programs to explore. However if your focus is in TV then I would highly recommend you come to LA. The bulk of TV is done here, and even the shows that are based and operating in NYC tend to pluck their talent from LA. As far as I know the main television opportunities available in NYC are animation and late night talk shows (though the industry is constantly changing).

Personally, in recent years I have noticed that many of my friends have moved out of NYC and headed towards the west coast. Particularly for artists, the cost of living in NYC has become too exorbitant. In my humble opinion, it would be best to get your start in LA and move to NYC if you feel the need/desire to do so once you are more "established".

 

[DarkWriter]

The above the line positions like the EPs, Producers, Directors are picked in LA, same with the Writers Room. All the writers are staffed and operate in LA. The Below the line positions like DP, Gaffer, Grip, Hair & makeup, they're all Local in that town they're shooting in. But NY is trying to change that. They're trying to create a tax credit for TV Writers & Directors in New York (diversity). There's a ton of talented writers there, and most started getting into Playwriting mostly because they don't want to pack up and move to LA. There has to be at least 3000-5000 NY based Writers and half as many Playwrights. Plus there's a ton of Writers who live in New York full time or commute back and forth from New York to LA to work. Imagine if Tina Fey or any of the great NY based writers never has to fly out to work again. I wouldn't be surprised if this did go through and if it started happening. Plus there are many New York based writers who hate LA and what they're about. I don't like LA, It's too small of a community like a small fraternity and hard to break into. New York is more open and has a bigger community and I have a ton of contacts here in New York mostly DPs, some directors, and other below the line positions. New York is more Creative where as LA is more about money.

 

[DarkWriter]

NY isn't a city that's ruled by the entertainment industry like LA, but it's certainly just as viable to make a lasting and worthwhile career there. Moving across the country is hard enough of a decision for me! I can't imagine what it would be like to move to a different continent!

New York is the most creative city in the nation as well as the indie capital of the world. Most people who graduate from the likes of NYU, Columbia, or even the NYFA, they start off going into playwrighting for Broadway. Most don't want to pack up and move from New York to the West Coast and are hesitant to do so. I live in New York and I'm hesitant about moving to LA because they're such a tight knit closed community. Film school isn't necessary especially since it's very expensive. I'd try out that new grad film school on Steiner Studios lot in Brooklyn. Way cheaper and I hear good reviews from it.