Go West, Young Man?

I had a couple drinks a few nights ago with a couple of old friends of mine, Ryan and Jason. Ryan was the producer of an online reality show I was on with NBC about studying abroad. Jason was one of my fellow cast members, studying in Australia while I was in India. He's also a blogger himself, though nowadays on a very different topic: Law School. None of us have worked together since 2006, but we've kept in touch, especially now that all three of us live in New York City.

I asked Ryan about what he was producing these days. He told me about some cool projects, like Fact Checkers Unit, a show about a couple kids who get a couple facts about a celebrity and then have to sneak into their homes and lives to check them before they can publish. So there's a celebrity cameo every episode. That and a couple shows that haven't yet been green-lighted that he told us about that sound like a lot of fun.

"So," I asked, "For completely selfish reasons, how does casting these shows happen?" 

Turns out they're all in LA. Figures.

"But really," he said "You're in the right spot. Spend a year or so here, do shows, take some classes, and then move to LA."

He went on to say that there are ten times the opportunities for actors out there, but also ten times the competition. Both sentiments I found a little surprising. There are a lot of actors out here in New York. Are there really that many more in Los Angeles?

But the other thing he told me is that New York is the right thing to have on your resume before moving west. Actors in LA who have spent their entire careers in LA aren't regarded as being as serious as those who have spent time in NYC.

That's one opinion. Do you agree with it?

~Joel R. Putnam

 

Comments

[Heather Roonan]

I agree that having New York City on your resume can be beneficial, particularly if you have tackled stage acting.

Stage acting is a very disciplined choice, considering you must do the same show over and over, night after night...as opposed to going and filming something where you can make mistakes and re-do scenes over and over until you get them right. I think being an actor/actress that was successful on stage will look good to a casting director or agent in L.A. because it shows that you are a seasoned performer and know how to memorize and hit your marks on the first try.

Of course, L.A. has theater as well, but NYC is better known for serious stage acting, so I think getting a start there is going to look great. It also shows you have a love for acting and aren't just trying to be "famous". Moving straight to L.A. sometimes puts you into that cliche...that the fame is all that matters. If that makes sense.

Just another opinion. :-)