The Difference Between Filmmaking In LA And NY
Thanks to my internship, I got an opportunity to learn and work in a film production company in LA. Although I’ve been there only for one month, I have felt the difference between LA and NY, as a young filmmaker.
Some of my friends studied filmmaking in LA. They come from Chapman University, UCLA, USC and NYFA in LA. When we stayed together and discussed about film, I noticed our differences based on our educational backgrounds.
First, filmmakers in LA seem to be more practical than those on the eastern coast, but we are more flexible and creative.
Since the moment they stepped on their campus, they started to learn how to make a film step by step under their professors’ guidance. I am honored to take part in NYFA in LA’s screening, and watched more than ten short films produced by their graduate students. I have to accept that they are very awesome. Their shooting language, camera control skills, music composition and acting are very professional. Also, it can be seen clearly their students have money to support the production of such good short films. Everyone in their school is familiar with all process steps and each occupation in a film crew. Every step in their filmmaking is followed with the Hollywood requirements, even with the food order for film crew members. In other words, the first thing they learn in their school is how Hollywood produces a film.
Compared with these students, filmmaking learners on the eastern coast seem to have more freedom. We could produce a short film with a very low budget. For example, when I shot my short film ADRIFT last semester, we only spent $600. We didn’t have big camera car, but we could band our camera on a C stand. In the small crew, we only had 7 people and everyone had to focus on more than two objectives. The AD may be also set designer, which led our crew to be less professional but everyone got more opportunities to engage in creative work.
Second, filmmakers in LA look more outgoing and enjoy socializing. However, filmmakers in NY can be more focused on their work and academics.
When I arrived in LA, I felt a lot of young filmmaker’s enthusiasm. They enjoy talking about their projects and invite you to engage with them. Most filmmaking students here have their own personal studio. Instead of finding a job, they prefer to run their own business. Also, they tend to develop their network. For example, many students in LA are very willing to build a network with professional Hollywood filmmakers. In fact, other professional filmmakers are also willing to take part in all kinds of social activities and events to meet people.
However, many of my friends and classmates who studied film in NY tend to spend more time on learning, writing or producing personal work, instead of socializing. Some of them, including myself, believe that a beautiful piece of work can explain everything. Others may be too shy to step out and meet new people. I think the situation may be caused by the environment. Hollywood is in LA, so that is why filmmakers in here look more ambitious.
SUMMARY:
Many students might have to consider a problem about the location of their future career. As filmmakers, we usually have to make a choice between New York City and Los Angeles. In my opinion, if you want to be producer LA looks better for you because you need to know the rules and guidelines in the filmmaking market. If you want to be a writer, NY can be a good choice because you need a quiet and peaceful place to help you focus on your project. As for directors like myself, I like both choices. Hollywood eduction can push you be a good director in a short time; you could learn all the stuff about making a film. Also, your mentor can provide huge opportunities for you. Thanks to a lot of practice, you would know what kinds of shooting can make sense and what can not. However, we all know that practice is not enough for young directors to become excellent directors. Besides experience, we also need to improve the creative ability to broaden our horizons continuously and obtain the wide knowledge which academic learning could provide us.
