I had a lovely chat with a friend of a friend who is a budding movie Producer. After we had talked I got home and jotted down what she had said. This is the recap:
Live in LA for 10 years to make it big in the movie business.(note that another friend here said it's actually 15 years to become an overnight sensations!)
Its more about how you are presentable and being discovered is a big part of the reason why you want to be presentable. So look good, smell good, kiss everyone's ass you can, live in these areas: Los Feliz - Eagle Rock - Pasadena - Koreatown - Westwood- Culver City- Toluca Lake - Silverlake(I will lose 50 points to a girl if I live in the SF Valley.) (Second note: I said "fuck it" and am living in Studio City anyway.)
To start in the studio system, be a Production Assistant for 3+ years, then move to Camera/Direction Assistant.
Other words of advice she gave me:
Find a Jewish kid who's father runs CAA/ICM/Warner etc and become his best friend.(Also try winning the lottery!)
Find a producer/DP and stick to them like glue.(Good advice.)
Get an agent.(Good advice.)
Indie moviemaking will get big but then you are inside looking in without knowing how the studios work.
Write the best script then force them to let me direct it.(best advice.)
Out of the hour long conversation we had, I realized the studios have some really horrible writers. So:
Writing is the most important part of the system. The only way for me to make it is to write.
Directing is a natural progression.
