Comments on: The True Cost of Making It In LA http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/ The Acting Room is a place by actors for actors. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:45:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Kirsten Tretbar http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/#comment-160 Kirsten Tretbar Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:06:19 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/#comment-160 Both of you are right. There are many ways to "do LA". I have many young girls who ask me about coming to LA -- not the usual "Rock and Roll Kids" who live the way you suggest. I had tons of friends who lived the way you talk about. And that's fine for them. But I also have girls who are 18, with supportive parents, who don't want them to live in more difficult, cheap places, like I did (for YEARS). The ghetto like apartment that I lived in, with my actor husband, was $1400/ a month, and it was a dive, and a young girl, moving out from Kansas, at age 18, wouldn't have been safe there. And these girls have fantasies of going clubbing, eating out, etc... because that's how they live their lives -- wanting to be all glamorous, etc... So in many ways, those are the kids who always want to know how much it will cost. And if you have the money to do it right (minus the clubs or expensive gyms) -- you really may not get anywhere fast. I know. I did it for 20 years -- and I saw the kids who'd moved out with money, making it much quicker than me and my friends who lived our BROKE LIVES, never meeting any "real" players -- but spending all our time in money in divey fun cafes and cheap parties and clubs. I'm just being realistic, and no, I'm not trying to discourage anyone. But so many of my past students who come out to LA, come out with not enough saved, then leave after the first year, when they can't pay their rent, or get an audition. I love LA, and want all actors to move there, just be REALISTIC!!! Have fun and stay safe! Both of you are right. There are many ways to “do LA”. I have many young girls who ask me about coming to LA — not the usual “Rock and Roll Kids” who live the way you suggest. I had tons of friends who lived the way you talk about. And that’s fine for them. But I also have girls who are 18, with supportive parents, who don’t want them to live in more difficult, cheap places, like I did (for YEARS). The ghetto like apartment that I lived in, with my actor husband, was $1400/ a month, and it was a dive, and a young girl, moving out from Kansas, at age 18, wouldn’t have been safe there. And these girls have fantasies of going clubbing, eating out, etc… because that’s how they live their lives — wanting to be all glamorous, etc… So in many ways, those are the kids who always want to know how much it will cost. And if you have the money to do it right (minus the clubs or expensive gyms) — you really may not get anywhere fast. I know. I did it for 20 years — and I saw the kids who’d moved out with money, making it much quicker than me and my friends who lived our BROKE LIVES, never meeting any “real” players — but spending all our time in money in divey fun cafes and cheap parties and clubs. I’m just being realistic, and no, I’m not trying to discourage anyone. But so many of my past students who come out to LA, come out with not enough saved, then leave after the first year, when they can’t pay their rent, or get an audition. I love LA, and want all actors to move there, just be REALISTIC!!! Have fun and stay safe!

]]> By: - http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/#comment-159 - Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:49:48 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/#comment-159 Well Johnny Boy, have you ever lived in Southern California? These expenses are about right give or take depending on numerous things such as cramming 7 people in a studio apartment or eating one small meal a day, etc. And those places listed as $500 a month in LA... damn, that seems great doesn't it? Have you seen them in person? Chances are they are in a really bad area. $500 a month really anywhere in LA is unheard of. For something decent you will be in the $1200 if you are lucky. Thanks. -Someone You've Heard of ;) Well Johnny Boy, have you ever lived in Southern California?
These expenses are about right give or take depending on numerous things such as cramming 7 people in a studio apartment or eating one small meal a day, etc.

And those places listed as $500 a month in LA… damn, that seems great doesn’t it? Have you seen them in person? Chances are they are in a really bad area. $500 a month really anywhere in LA is unheard of. For something decent you will be in the $1200 if you are lucky.

Thanks.
-Someone You’ve Heard of ;)

]]> By: JonathanBrowne http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/#comment-158 JonathanBrowne Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:08:39 +0000 http://theactingroom.com/2008/03/16/the-true-cost-of-making-it-in-la-part-1/#comment-158 Seems like your just trying to scare people away to minimize the competition or something. You can find rooms for rent in hollywood at 500$ a month posted every day on craigslist. I also think your going to rather expensive gym for $100 a month. Cable and internet and cell is not going to cost anyone $250 a month unless they need to get all the channels, business level internet connection, and a ridiculous amount of minutes. As for eating out and clubs, why do you need to spend a ridiculous amount monthly to be seen? Sit down and get a coke at a cafe on in a while if you feel you need to be seen out and about, go to clubs once a week and spend your time trying to yourself to the hot parties, which are free. Seems like your just trying to scare people away to minimize the competition or something. You can find rooms for rent in hollywood at 500$ a month posted every day on craigslist. I also think your going to rather expensive gym for $100 a month. Cable and internet and cell is not going to cost anyone $250 a month unless they need to get all the channels, business level internet connection, and a ridiculous amount of minutes. As for eating out and clubs, why do you need to spend a ridiculous amount monthly to be seen? Sit down and get a coke at a cafe on in a while if you feel you need to be seen out and about, go to clubs once a week and spend your time trying to yourself to the hot parties, which are free.

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