Hello, World.

I've decided to keep this as my public blog while I'm trying to live the dream. When I was deciding what to do during the summer (right after graduating with a theatre degree), I was constantly looking for stories from actors who made the somewhat scary move to Los Angeles. This blog is how did it, but that doesn't mean anything I state is right for you. Everyone is different and you should go about deciding and relocating on your own terms. Since it's a BFM ("Big F'ing Move"). However, if you're looking for a variety of ideas to make that decision, hopefully I can help a little. This blog might also serve a purpose for myself as an actor's log and a way to keep track of auditions.

So, here's how I relocated (or relocating...I arrive tomorrow!). I set up a long term sublet through Craigslist. It was a very long process of phone calls, emails, exchanging Facebook pages, etc. Because, obviously, on both ends we wanted to make sure neither of us was a psycho. I chose what worked for me...I didn't want to deal with furnishing right away. So an entire apartment (with a roommate) completely furnished was ideal for me. I also needed certain amenities like cable and internet (maybe I'm spoiled?). I also needed to live in a safe area, but also a central location (LA traffic is notoriously horrific, you need to at least give yourself some sort of head start). So I researched a lot, and Google Maps is amazing for that since you can explore the area with street view. And it just so happens that area turned out to be the Hollyhood (luckily near where all the rich people like to hang out, so I'm not actually in the hood).

I decided to fly instead of take a road trip. Trust me when I say I would much rather take a road trip across the country (I'm coming from the East Coast), because I think that would be an amazing and life changing experience. But as a young woman traveling alone (which I would have had to do), I so didn't feel comfortable doing that. Flying alone is going to be hard enough! When my sublet is up and I move into my own unfurnished apartment, I do plan to take a road trip with family and move the rest of my belongings though. And I can't wait for that adventure!

I'm taking what I need for a few days on the plane, and then having about six boxes of what I need (mainly just clothes and shoes...and yes, that does take six boxes for me) shipped over the next couple of weeks. Luckily I have a wonderful mother who is paying for those boxes. But I'm paying for the big expense, which was to get my car shipped. BUT in the long run it's cheaper than buying or leasing a car, also cheaper than the gas and hotels of driving across the country. My car will also last many years (only about 50,000 miles on it!) and has great gas mileage. So while I cringed at the cost at first, the overall savings (not to mention CONVENIENCE) won. ...Okay, I still can't help but cringe.

I do have bills (how do you think I shipped the car? Hello, credit card) and I do have money saved. I have about three months of rent and living expenses saved up. Not a very big nest, but it's enough that I can spend one month getting settled and just focus on acting. If I have to, by the second month I will begin looking for a part time job. Basically, I have just enough of a cushion, but not so much that I spent years at home saving the "perfect" amount (nothing wrong with that, but I was too anxious to wait).

The biggest advice I can give to anyone is RESEARCH and PLAN. Not to the extent that you psych yourself out and never go. But enough that you know what you're getting into, you know the area, you know what's around you, and you have some sort of game plan when you arrive. For me that was the summer...yes, I'm pretty impatient. But after I got my degree, what else was keeping me here? Two books that inspired me and are full of wonderful resources, and I highly recommend: How to Make a Living as a Working Actor in LA and Acting is Everything: An Actor's Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles. I found the first book to be an amazing quick read, and it definitely inspired me and gave me the courage to just do it (move to LA). The latter book is a bit harder to read, as it is SO information filled. Reminded me of one of my dreaded college textbooks. But it literally contains EVERYTHING you need - definitely a great resource book.

Sites that I can recommend: Backstage.com, Actorsaccess.com, Lacasting.com. These three sites (for a nominal yearly fee) can potentially get you a lot of work. The internet has made it so much easier for our generation to get work for ourselves, even for us unrepresented non-union talent. Yes, you have to pay a yearly fee for these, but they are very affordable. And you have access to so many audition notices that you can submit yourself for. So worth it.

I think that's all I have to write about now. I will try to write again soon, perhaps tomorrow when I arrive in sunny California after my 8-hour flight. ...Or maybe after I've passed out from the time change and jetlag. Ta!