Image courtesy of Emblem Photography

This week marks my one year anniversary of moving to L.A. It’s made me pause a bit. I’ve been thinking about what my expectations were while I was prepping to move, the advice I was given and the reality that this last year has been. I thought I’d cut you in on some of the advice that I was given and maybe you’ll listen to a lesson or two that I’ve been fortunate enough to learn.

My expectations:
I was moving to LA to work on a film.. at first as an associate producer and then later as a bit more. I relished the idea that I woke up everyday, in the incredible weather of Southern California, and said (sometimes audibly) “I’m working on a movie to be seen by thousands” – It was a great time.. even when the job meant 18 hr days.

My back was to a wall – This had to work. It’s amazing to me how I couldn’t find any work in VA but after being in LA less than a week I was offered 3 jobs. There were many days of pep talks on how I’d be prepped my whole life for these moments. “Don’t miss out Dan, you can get it done.. just be smart. Out think the scenario and the competition, you can do it”

The Advice I was Given:
“Don’t fall away from God” This was usually said to me with much concern at church. Yes, the were dead serious.
“Be as nice to people on your way up as you want them to be to you.. when you’re on your way down.”

Apparently the way it goes:
My friends who are working in entertainment, from cast to crew, tell me that there’s a certain order of things in Hollywood.

Year One: Move to LA, Get your doors blown off and all your dreams/expectations destroyed by the machine.
Year Two: Make a decision if this life is for you or not. Move back to wherever or begin to look at your barista job as a career. If you go on you learn the system, take your lumps and network like an animal. Go to every audition, practice, work for nothing, study under a genius – something to set you apart for the crowd.
Year Three: Something clicks, a connection you made 2 years prior pans out and you’re getting steady work. Relationships with your agent and manager are good and you’re working the system now in your favor. Collaborations a HUGE plus and steady rent payments are not a problem.

Now I’m not sure if that’s the way it goes for everybody but it’s definitely the case for many. As far as the overnight success… I’m not familiar with it, personally or have any connections to anyone that is/was.

Incredible things about the LA area:
Multiculturalism – So many people and so many backgrounds means so cool.
The best Mexican food ever – take that Texas!
Movies! Movies! Movies!
Everybody can talk HD (which is good and bad, if I had a nickel for everytime somebody said 720p at a party – I’d have Eleventy Billion Dollars)

Some of the lessons I’ve learned:(many of which were taught in kindergarten)
Surround yourself with quality people – they’ll stretch you tell you when you’re screwing up and shoot straight with you.
There’s always someone better than you.. and they may be in your next meeting.
The person in any room that you think will help your career the most, can’t.
The person in any room that you think least likely to help your career is Stephen Spielberg’s nephew.
Check your ego at the door.
Being fake with anyone doesn’t work.
Trust your gut.
Be yourself – you’re the only you there is.
Don’t take off your clothes, for anyone.. even if it pays a lot. (that may or may not have happened to me)
Working with people who are hungry to prove themselves or change the world is always more fun.
Plan your work and work your plan.
Show kindness whenever you can.

I wouldn’t trade this last year for anything. It’s been an incredible time and Southern California has wrecked me – I’m not sure I can live anywhere else. What’s your last year been like? Got any good stories you’d like to share?