Hi,
I'm going out to L.A. in June with my husband for the first time. I've been researching, but there is a lot of conflicting information out there. I want to stay where a lot of auditions are being held so I know my way around the city when I c=go out there by myself. Any places I should check out and get really familiar with?
Thanks
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Host a S32 Meetup while you're out there. Bring the energy to you :)
https://www.stage32.com/meetups
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I'd stay around Studio City, which is considered "the Valley" but backdoor to Universal Studios/Burbank area, and close to mid-city LA and 10 miles from Santa Monica beach.
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Good call...I'd say second call would be Hollywood, between Fairfax and Vermont (West and East) and Franklin and maybe Santa Monica (North and South). Overall not as safe as Studio City, but you'd be close to many of the small theatres, Paramount and Raleigh Studios and it's not hard to get over the hill to the Valley. HOWEVER...Plan on a 45 minute trip wherever you're going, and make that an hour if you want to reduce stress. And traffic is worst on Thursdays. Read parking signs carefully. :)
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All of these suggestions are great. Also try to get up to Van couver canada if you can - one of the "Secrets" of this industry is that a large majority of LA casting is cast out of van couver canada not LA. They shoot in both areas and do cast in LA but Van cover is the "spot" to get jobs.
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You guys are awesome! Definitely, can find some good deals on Airbnb. I've been checking out all these areas on google maps. I know you would typically shoot there, but where would you say you go to the most castings at? Here in Florida we just cast everywhere: libraries, colleges, rented offices, with the exception Nickelodeon, it isn't where you shoot.
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Oh, and I love food so feel free to give me your expert suggestions for restaurants out there too!!!
There's good food everywhere. There are a handful of famous local places that have stood the test of time and embrace their kitsch with gusto -- Pink's, on La Brea, is a hot dog stand shaped like a hot dog and there should be a line even at night. Orson Welles used to be a regular in the 70s and 80s. Philippe's ["Fil-ee-pay's"] in Downtown has been around since WWI and features sawdust on the floor, cheap coffee and French-dipped sandwiches. Another downtown landmark is The Original Pantry, open 24 hours a day since 1924 and never once empty. Big breakfasts, large slabs of meat and potatoes. Musso & Frank's on Hollywood Blvd is where Faulkner and Fitzgerald used to get drunk. I haven't been there for 15 years but I did see celebs. Also in Hollywood - Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, if you like chicken and waffles. The most recent landmark, dating from only 1975. Plenty of more expensive, trendier, healthier and chic-er places, but... :)
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James, I think you just became my food soulmate. All of those places sound fantastic! Lol
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I live in Toluca Lake and I can literally walk everywhere (restaurants-bars-coffee houses-Trader Joes.)
My guests have plenty of parking, and Lyft Line is about $6 to Hollywood for auditions or going out with friends. Most of my auditions and acting classes are either in Hollywood, West Hollywood, or here in the Valley.