I left quite some time ago. At work I was talking to somebody...turns out she worked on the Terminator but also left LA for some reason or another.

If you keep getting work on movies in LA, I guess you stay. And your life becomes a magical party.

One year? You're not trying. A more realistic time frame would be five years, and that's only if you're really impatient. Unless you truly believe you'll get hit by a lightning bolt Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m., you can accomplish basically nothing in the film industry in only one year. It takes time, contacts, and most of all, work (which is not easily had) to get into anything like a career. And that doesn't guarantee you'll live on it - something like 95% of SAG only make $3K or less a year on acting.

Unless you're willing to put in your effort for the long haul, give it up. There are easier ways to satisfy creative urges, or perform in front of people, or find a new SO. Leave the film industry to those that really lust after it. God knows there are enough of them out here.

My stepdaughter went though the same thing only in NYC. Eventually she left for Seattle, but has never been able to support herself for long on just her acting, it always required a "day job" and most of them sucked.

My suggestion is to get some gigs in regional theaters so you can gain experience in your craft and build your network.

That's a modern tale if there ever was one - the child star is thrown out on the street in Mumbai by the oh-so-lovely Indian government.. which finally gave in and bought apartments for all the child stars.

And for those who "turn the knobs" and raise and elevate people within out society based on their whims and desires - gee, try to keep the psychotic sociopathic behavior in check...

Oh course, psychotic sociopathic behavior is also called jerkiness... and yes, most corporate CEOs are jerks, as are their subordinates - in a corporate hierarchy, the biggest jerk tends to float to the top - because that person will do anything for the shareholders, no matter how vile. Indeed, jerkiness is essentially a requirement for top corporate jobs.

Odd juxtaposition with the last advice column, isn't it? Our country is run by jerks - maybe we should get them to apologize, or maybe we need a new version of our political and economic system - one that doesn't reward jerkiness.

Also, think about moving to Austin Texas and check out the thriving independent film scene. Hire on to one of these crews to learn ANYTHING! And not nearly as soul sucking and polluted as L.A.

It has been my experience that people who describe themselves that way are typically neither. Get over yourself LW.

I am on the second draft of the first paying screenplay of my career. But in the gaps I am working on my next script, what ever that may turn out to be. As you know, writing is never as easy as most people think, and even though I am in the exact place that I want to be ( paid screenwriter), looking forward to a next project, I often fall into the trap of the aforementioned letter. "What am I going to do next, is it going to be any good..." As I was writing tonight, I happened upon this letter and expected to find a response that would would back up my insecurity and let me wallow in my self doubt. What I found was a kind, sensitive but truthful response that also made me confront the reality of living not only a creative life, but living life itself. It is so easy to forget the beauty and the dream when you are actually living it, that its laughable, and laugh you should. Laugh and smile.

I commend your response.

Thank You.

gordon

Did you mean: You're in when you're out?

I'll just add a bit: You're wallowing in your own despair. Don't do that; it's only going to drag you deeper into that funk. It's an indulgence, and it's unhealthy.

I, too, am one of those extra-creative, extra-smart people--and I live in Los Angeles, too. And I LOVE it. As someone who's been here almost 10 years (with a 2-year stint in the middle of that in SF, which I could not get away from quickly enough), let me assure you: you're not doing it right. If you really think LA is an empty, shallow wasteland, then you've spent an entire year here without really getting to know this wonderful, nutball city.

LA is, to a great extent, defined by the company you keep. It has vibrant ethnic neighborhoods--get to know them. It has countless creative and brilliant people--go where they go, and get to know them. Go see the programs at Upright Citizens Brigade, and consider signing up for one of their improv classes. You'll have a blast--IF you let yourself.

Discover the Steve Allen Center, which is a strange and wonderful combination of entertainment and edification. The shows they put on are funny and odd and inexpensive to see. Join a writing workshop--there are almost too many to count here.

And most important of all--you need to understand that no matter how brilliant and creative you are, there are thousands of equally brilliant and creative people here in the city with you, because that's what LA attracts. Maybe that's why you're a bit down; you're not running away from anything, you're just realizing that you're not unique (and I mean that in a good way). Understanding that about LA is a little like going through the five stages of grief. Until you figure out how to embrace it and join in, you're going to be variously angry, depressed and in denial.

You may never achieve whatever idea of a dream you have, but if you'll get out and engage the city and just try, you'll end up having a hell of a good time trying.

You're living in a wonderful place. You need to get your head around that, and then rush out and wrap your arms around it. We're glad you're here!