WHEN TO RELOCATE

Is it possible to get a job in the industry before relocating to LA or NYC?

In most cases, the answer is, no.   Many employers do not consider out of town hires for a number of reasons.  For instance, shows often staff at the list minute, days (or sometimes hours) prior to production, leaving new hires no time to relocate.  When I was hired as an executive producer’s assistant, I interviewed on a Thursday, trained on Friday, and started the following Monday. 

Of course, there are always exceptions.

If you have a connection, it's possible to be hired before you move.  At In Plain Sight, the EP’s assistant left half-way through the season to accept a writer’s assistant position on Mad Men; the EP needed to fill the position immediately and asked if I could recommend someone.  I recommended my sister, who was still living in Kansas, working to save money to move to LA. 

He called my sister and asked, “If I convince Jessica to let you sleep on her couch, will you come help me out?”

“How soon do you need me?”

“Can you be here tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

My sister hung up the phone and bought a ticket for the next flight to LAX.  She lived on my couch and out of her suitcase for the next two weeks until my extremely generous parents packed the rest of her belongings into her car and drove it halfway across the country for her. 

I had no such connection when I was looking to break in, but I did manage to get one interview a few months before I relocated.

My best friend, Gina, moved to LA six months before me to work as an assistant on a sitcom.  A friend of hers, who was an assistant on The West Wing, mentioned to her that the show was  looking for a producer’s assistant, so I sent in my resume, using Gina’s LA address as my own; she submitted it on my behalf.   I got a call on a Wednesday asking if I could interview the next day.  I lied, saying I was out of town visiting family, but that I would be back in LA on Friday.  Would it possible for me to interview then?  My interview was set for Friday, and I booked the next available flight.

It came down to me and one other girl.  She got the job.  My first Hollywood interview -- thrilling, albeit expensive; as you can imagine, this method can prove to be costly, and it requires you to have a contact in LA whose address your can “borrow.”

    What time of year should I move to LA?

Shows (along with networks, studios, agencies, etc.) staff year-round.  The best time to move to LA is when you are ready to work, and when you've saved enough money for a down payment on an apartment. Most of my acquaintances pay a minimum of $700 - $800 per month for rent; deposits are generally two months rent. 

    Do I need to have a car in order to work in the industry?

 YES.  You must have a car in order to work as an assistant on a television show.  Even if you live within walking distance of your office, you will inevitably need to run errands. 

The only possible exception I know of is a network or studio assistant.  These jobs are often 9am- 6pm desk jobs that do not require you to leave your office.  However, if you do not have a car, YOU MUST disclose this information during you interview.