Los Angeles studio business (research)

[grenos]

Hi all

I'm finishing my Music Tech degree here in London and I'm seriously thinking to relocate in Los Angeles. I'm still researching the idea but I was curious to know how "easy" it is to find work in a studio there. I really don't care on the position I just thought if I can get in somewhere it'd be a good start.

What do you guys think? Any info on that?

[psycho_monkey]

First thing you'll need is a green card I believe....very difficult unless you've American parentage....

[grenos]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

First thing you'll need is a green card I believe....very difficult unless you've American parentage....

Yeah I heard it's tough to get one...anyway I'm still researching the idea..nothing is certain...

[drBill]

Originally Posted by grenos

..nothing is certain...

One thing is. There are about 100,000 US born citizens that want the same exact thing you want - a gig as a first, second, intern, gopher, whatever at a studio - and they can't find it. There's a hundred threads on GS. They are all the same.....

That is a certainty.

Best of luck.

[grenos]

Originally Posted by drBill

One thing is. There are about 100,000 US born citizens that want the same exact thing you want - a gig as a first, second, intern, gopher, whatever at a studio - and they can't find it. There's a hundred threads on GS. They are all the same.....

That is a certainty.

Best of luck.

Hi drBill

Thanks for the reply

I completely understand what you're saying and this is one of the reasons that it's still an idea..

I don't want to stuck with the numbers but e.g. when I started my course here I thought "wow" there should be around 100k students all over UK who want the same thing as I do. But then I realise that from a class of 50 people 2-3 have the actual skills to get a studio job...One of my classmates got an intern gig at one of the Miloco studios..second day didn't show up...third day got replaced..

What I'm trying to say is people do f@ck up but situations aren't always as they seem..


Billy

[solo-bration]

The industry is in fact bleak, but someone will carry the torch. Music isn't going to completely die, and the professional recording of it won't either. Just be better, harder-working, smarter, and luckier than everyone else.

PS - LA is so many peoples 'dream'. Which only makes it harder to stand out there.

[therealbigd]

Originally Posted by grenos

Hi all

I'm finishing my Music Tech degree here in London and I'm seriously thinking to relocate in Los Angeles. I'm still researching the idea but I was curious to know how "easy" it is to find work in a studio there. I really don't care on the position I just thought if I can get in somewhere it'd be a good start.

What do you guys think? Any info on that?

They have sound engineers in LA too.

Just because the market is over-saturated and you can't get a job HERE, don't assume that jetting out to LA is going to mean there's 1000 studios with their doors wide open to new engineers paying a full time salary.

If you can't get a job in a London studio you probably won't be able to get one in an LA studio either.

If you have spent the last 3 years building contacts in the London music/studio industry during your degree, you'll have a better chance of a job in London where you know people, than in LA where you know nobody and you'll be starting from scratch.

If you haven't spent the last 3 years building contacts and networking, well frankly you are an idiot, and I do wonder what you have been doing instead.

[GYMusic]

Reality check: Are you moving to LA to find audio work or because you want to live there? There are thousands of young people, just out of college, with legitimate degrees, looking and not finding work. In LA county, unless you have an engineering degree (physics/electronics, etc) you're going to have a tough time finding a job that pays anything over minimum wage. If you want to move just to live there, there are much better areas in CA to live than LA.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by grenos

Hi drBill

Thanks for the reply

I completely understand what you're saying and this is one of the reasons that it's still an idea..

I don't want to stuck with the numbers but e.g. when I started my course here I thought "wow" there should be around 100k students all over UK who want the same thing as I do. But then I realise that from a class of 50 people 2-3 have the actual skills to get a studio job...One of my classmates got an intern gig at one of the Miloco studios..second day didn't show up...third day got replaced..

What I'm trying to say is people do f@ck up but situations aren't always as they seem..


Billy

Billy - you need to study the green card situation. If you have lots of money and a good attorney, it's possible to get in, but you will need a studio in advance agreeing to "hire" you, because they can't find an acceptable substitute here. Now, we all know that's not the case, but if you can find people to "bend" the laws a bit, it can be done, but why not pay your dues in England, and then try the transfer. I think as an established enginieer, your chances would be much better.

You're right - attitude and drive is the most important thing you can learn - right after schmoozing and connections. How to use the gear is secondary. Work hard, never look back, put life on the backburner, and you'll make headway. If the economy in the US wasn't so F'd up, you'd have a better chance getting someone to take you on over here, but I have to be honest with you.......it's ugly over here right now. I know several gold/platinum engineers who are working "day jobs" for barely over minimum wage because there is really no "work" in the traditional sense. Studio's are closing, and everything is moving into private home-based production facilities. You should take that into account and make it part of your game plan. Maybe become a personal assistant to a producer or composer or some such thing..... Good luck. bp