Getting into The Biz: First Steps (FILM)

Okay, back in September I promised to start sharing tips and info wonderful mentors/friends have bestowed upon me regarding the elusive film world of LA. Whether you just want to dip your toes in the water, or take the plunge, here are a few things you have to do right away! Today, we'll cover...

Getting to Know The Trade Magazines - Research
Your go-to sources for everything film/industry related, these magazines will help you not only better your understanding of what's going on (deals being made, industry peeps stepping into CEO/important roles, others getting signed to agencies, what scripts/ideas are making the rounds through studios, studio problems, etc), but will also make your more knowledgeable about the industry as a whole.


The Hollywood Reporter
The price of this mag is fairly high, but the website is chock-full of much of the same information you can get on the newsstand. AKA: Start checking out their website daily NOW: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/

Below The Line
Want to be a part of the crew? Below The Line publishes articles and production listings whose primary audience is the film crew. So if you're wondering where a good place to start getting involved and finding out who's looking for crew members, working on what, etc., subscribe!
Check out their website: http://www.btlnews.com/

Variety
Somewhat similar to The Hollywood Reporter, Variety has been around since 1905! It offers industry news and the latest reviews. There are several different versions of this mag:
Variety - weekly edition
Daily Broadway - daily Los Angeles & Broadway edition
Daily Variety Gotham - daily East Coast edition
Variety.com - yep, it's subscription-based too
Variety On-The-Go - App version of the mag
See their website to decide what version you think best suits you (maybe all?):
http://www.variety.com/Home/

So you want to move to Hollywood?- Veda Rains

Introduction
When I took the plunge two years ago (almost to the day) to move to LA, I didn't know what to expect. Perhaps, that's why it ended the way it did. Sure, I had saved money, read industry books, written out an employment plan...even called a couple places for job opportunities (either got the machine a few times, or they wouldn't even pick up the phone) before I moved. Still, I had no idea what I was getting myself into - although I was "so sure" I did.
Before I left for LA, I even wrote a note to friends and coworkers on Facebook about my choice to make the big move and said: "even if nothing professional comes of this experience, I feel it will not be a failure. If anything, it will broaden my range as a writer and better shape my character." I stand by that and believe it to be true. It was a great experience and I hope to give it a go again (yes, again) in the future. But this time, I have more knowledge behind me.
I can go back many times and say "shoulda" "coulda" woulda," but what's done is done. And I'm not bitter (although I did get a job offer at a company about 6-8 months after I tearfully moved back-dang it! But realistically-speaking, I could not have held out that long). I learned a great deal from others and gained great friends and good experience! I even got to work on a couple of films, a commercial, be an assistant, etc. There were many factors that played into my move back home. The big one: Finances. So tip #1: Save, save, save like you've never saved before!

This leads up to...
I want to share what I've learned from others who've lived there and what they've shared with me. I also want to share with you some helpful websites & blogs that have very honest and insightful information if you're thinking about taking the plunge.
I will be posting on this in the future, so stay tuned! Right now I want to share with you this cool blog by a professional script reader. Dig in:
http://aspiringtvwriter.blogspot.com/