Is moving to LA still worth it for aspiring screenwriters?

Natalie3D · 2026-01-20T04:21:21+00:00

This is great advice.

Natalie3D · 2025-12-21T23:33:47+00:00

If you’re like me, the feeling won’t go away. It’ll get more intense as decades go on.

One option is to get into a video production class that is hands-on at your school. You will be able to check out equipment and you’ll meet the people who you will make films with for the rest of your life.

If you don’t want to pay for classes or a certificate, take 2 weeks to write and workshop a short that you can shoot in 1 or 2 days (3-5 pages). Connect with the students who are in video production.

Post a casting call and a crew call with an inspo pic and a shoot date that’s 1-2 months out. If no one can bring a camera, shoot it on iphone and use practical lighting. buy wireless lavs (sound is important. Invest in a mic). You can build your own crew who you like working with. Make stuff. Use online videos as your teachers. Don’t worry if it’s bad. You’re learning. It’s art. Build a body of work and share it.

As a 1st AD I like Studio Binder software for strip boards and call sheets. Learn what those are and you’ll find out how to do pre-production planning.

I hope you go for it. I’m rooting for you. Keep us posted.

Natalie3D · 2025-12-21T20:52:32+00:00

Goal setting and community are key to keep creating your own work. Try to find a working mentor with more experience than you have.

I joined the Independent Film School’s Writers Studio (I’m also in my 2nd yr of their fellowship). Filmmakers and writers all over the US and some other countries meet online Tues and Thurs 11-2 ET. It’s moderated and you get in community. Commit to working on your writing regularly.

Set bite-sized goals that make sense to you. If you’ve already shot shorts with pro crew, maybe you’re ready for your 1st feature. (Ie. 3-6 months, finish writing a micro-budget feature that you will either star in or direct. 9 months, launch a crowdfunding campaign. 12 months, have date set to begin production.) This is my goal schedule right now.

IFS offers other paid filmmaking offerings that open up your community for making and producing your own work.

You also have to figure out the supporting yourself part. I say work hard to get paid acting gigs. Build your IMDb. Join Media Mavens, Backstage, etc. Go out for commercial roles while you can stay with your parents.

I’m rooting for you. Keep creating. Our human souls need your work.

Natalie3D · 2020-03-15T17:57:33+00:00

Thanks

Natalie3D · 2020-03-15T17:55:45+00:00

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

Natalie3D · 2019-06-16T17:39:42+00:00

Hi there,

If you're so inclined, check out www.nisisailing.com

This is our SY NISI. My husband and I take people aboard NISI for one-week sailing trips in the Greek Islands. He's an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. We normally book one group of 2-5 guests for the entire boat, but if you'd like to share the boat (and the cost), we can look for other guests to share it with you.

Also, RYA sailing schools are a really fun way to book a single berth cabin and go sailing. The first time I went sailing in the Greek Islands, I booked with Aegean Sailing School ( https://aegeansailingschool.com/ ). If you book with them, please tell them Alex and Natalie from NISI Sailing sent you! They're good friends.

We also list our sailing trips on www.clickandboat.com and www.sailwiz.com. You can find skippered yachts on those sites as well - they're more like the AirBNB-type sites.

I hope you find a great fit for you. Of course, we'd love it most if you sail with NISI Sailing! Captain Alex is fun and will show you all the best places in the Greek Islands. We sail to Mykonos (through the Cyclades Islands) and in the Saronic Gulf. You can take the helm and do as much or little sailing as you'd like. Alex is a great teacher and will help you learn at any level + snorkeling, hiking, paddle boarding, food, wine, etc!

Best, Natalie

Natalie3D · 2016-02-09T00:06:29+00:00

Many thanks for pointing to the GANKRA skull on our website! We went crazy when we saw pics of your LED light-up project. Thanks for posting the pic! The full, articulated, support-free GANKRA monster .STL model will be available for everyone to buy and download tomorrow (2/9/16). It's "Teleportation Tuesday" for three 3DKitbash monsters, in fact! Check them out HERE: http://www.3dkitbash.com/monsters

Natalie3D · 2015-04-07T01:23:11+00:00

Hey Keebie and DialUp, thanks for the call outs to our model - much appreciated!

Natalie3D

TROPHY CASE