Expert: Phil Nemy - 9/30/2007

Question
Hi,

First of all I would like to state that unlike 99.99% of the people who want to get into acting; I don't want advice on how to become "Famous", I just want to act.
I've been involved in a bunch of Amateur musicals, plays, done some TV work, I'm in an acting school, won several awards for my "Talent" and so on. As you probably already figured out, the stage and the camera are my best friends.

Here comes my question: I live in Belgium (Europe), and I don't know when the best time would be for me to move to either New York or California. I'm a sophomore in high school right now, so I have 2 more years to go before I graduate. I do want to get a degree in Clinical Psychology, as well as acting classes at night.
I've got a head on my shoulders.
I don't dream about Prada Dresses and having cocktails with "movie stars". I want acting to be my profession, and I've always taken it very seriously.

Finding good acting jobs in Belgium for a teenager isn't the easiest of things. Here it's sort of a "who knows who" type of thing.

I could really use your advice, since moving to California from Europe by myself is a pretty big step, do you think that it's worth it and when would be best for me to move?

Thank you so much,
Laura.


Answer
Laura,

Thanks for writing. If you want to be a serious actor in film and TV, and have the best chance at being able to support yourself from acting in film and TV, then yes, you need to move to Los Angeles. If you want to work as an actor in theater, you can move to New York, or Chicago, or LA, or London, or other major theater cities around the world.

When is it best to move? Whenever you're ready. Begin now saving up enough money so that when you first move to LA you won't have to find work right away to pay the rent. It would be best if you could have saved 6 to 8 months worth of living expenses. Then make the move.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil