Our Brits in LA community is overflowing with creativity. Fashion designers, hair & make up artists, as well as mural makers, builders, painters, dancers, photographers, chefs, writers, musicians, magicians, actors, comedians, film makers. I could go on and probably fill this entire page, but I think you get my drift?
All of these sound like very glamorous careers and whilst they can be, they also involve an awful lot of hard work. Sometimes (more often than not!), it can be years before an artist gets any acknowledgment or a decent paycheck. Or perhaps that day never arrives at all. I don’t think there is any real rhyme or reason to how or why one person gets their big break whilst others are still waiting for their turn; obviously talent and skill play a big part in this, but there are plenty of people out there who could be categorized as talentless, that are extremely successful.
We get messages on a weekly basis from people asking for advice on how they can move to LA and pursue their dreams. Whilst we rarely discourage anyone from doing so, we try to warn them that it’s not such an easy path to follow.
The majority of Brits in LA members who are lucky enough to have made California their home have usually built up a pretty decent resume before considering making a move here, as without the one it’s unlikely the US government will even consider looking at your visa application. This means that getting started in your chosen field immediately is absolutely vital. And even if you are pretty established in your field you may find you still need to start at the bottom again once you get here.
As a longtime observer I think that you have to make sure to stay focused on your work – I’ve met so many people over the years who have arrived in Los Angeles and then become completely sidetracked by the social side of Hollywood and then forget what they actually came here for.
Don’t get me wrong, the social aspect is very important, in fact networking is almost part of your job when you are starting out BUT you also want to be hired and I think the best way to do that is to is become somebody everyone wants to work with. To be honest, if you can get distracted that easily then it probably means the timing is off or your heart’s not really in it.
Before the arrival of social media people could get up to all sorts, wear the same outfit, have a bad hair day, get a bit tipsy etc. and it could go mostly unnoticed, but nowadays one wrong step can be captured on a smartphone and beamed to the world in seconds and then stay on the internet for eternity…Although I suppose it’s good practice for when the time comes that the paparazzi do follow your every move.
I’ve also noticed that the people who do manage to make a life here are more often the ones that truly love what they do – they aren’t necessarily in it for the accolades or the fame (although of course they enjoy that too), but they would take any job if it meant they could continue on with their craft, and not being able to do it would be like losing their identity.
If this sounds like you then stop doubting yourself and get on with it!
I would love to hear other people’s thoughts and advice on this as it seems to be one of the most popular topics amongst our newer members. Or maybe you want to share your story? A first-hand account is always going to be better than my observations! You can email us at britsinla@gmail.com
Before I go I would like to give a shout out to one of our extremely talented members – Michele Young. A brilliant costume designer, she most recently worked on the Theatre 40 production of The Metromaniacs. It runs through till August 21st. Make sure to go along and support if you can.
Visit www.theatre40.org to get your tickets .
If you have any news to share please do drop us a line and we will try to include in the next issue
Cheers!
Eileen
