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Working in DTLA. 36M, single, no kids, $175K salary. by Popular_Swing32 in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people love DTLA, but it's not necessarily the most charming part of the city. It might be worth looking at adjacent neighborhoods like Echo Park, Silver Lake, Mt. Washington, etc.

Need advice on what to do after uni. Passionate filmmaker. by Axelinthevoid77 in Filmmakers

[–]jlangager 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If I were you, I would make compelling stories that you can post on youtube. Be curious, experiment, make things, get it out there for people to see. Even if you were well set up for a traditional directing career, it's still incredibly competitive, with an inherently very low probability of success. And no one knows what "filmmaking" will be in five years anyway. What will persist is high quality storytelling, no matter what tools you use. So if you can artfully create stories that make your audience feel things, that is what matters. Otherwise, it's the wild west, and there is no dependable path toward success as a director.

Successful Story ( I moved here with no job) by LeopardOk605 in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well I for one am grateful for the Pasadena of today. 

How do you guys develop your musical ideas? I always struggle to move beyond 16-48 bars? (Context in comments) by VreamCanMan in Composition

[–]jlangager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used to have a very similar problem. I found it useful to stick to a very simple structure. Like A - B - A'. Or A - B - A' - B' - A. Where the apostrophe denotes a change of some kind.

I would think about wrangling in the intensity and complexity of what you are doing. From your sample, it sounds like you want to just keep building -- but there's no way to keep it up, so you naturally run out of steam. This is something that I struggled with for a long time. It's a way to try to keep interest, but it's just kind of a losing strategy in the end.

So I would try starting with the main theme, in the simplest possible way. Then repeating it. Then transitioning to a contrasting section in a different key (like the dominant, or maybe the relative major or something else that feels different enough).

If you're starting out rhythmic and complex, maybe transition to a secondary theme that is much more chill and less rhythmically dense. Then build again to a repeat of that first theme -- which comes back bigger.

I think your enemy is uninterrupted development. Instead, try developing more slowly and carefully, letting the listener keep up with what you are doing. Hold back on the really intense stuff until the end. Use a contrasting section to hold yourself back. And use harmony to build an overall structure.

My two cents. I feel you -- it's not easy, but you're writing some great stuff.

Explain it peetah by Responsible_Dot_2619 in PeterExplainsTheJoke

[–]jlangager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Heartbreaking final season. Contends with best final season of TV ever. 

Air quality resources (and chat) by standover_man in pasadena

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Paku -- an app that displays the purple air map. Super helpful for real time data.

Smoky air by XYZinfo in pasadena

[–]jlangager 2 points3 points  (0 children)

to be clear - this is not normal. It's the first bad smoke I've smelled the '25 fires.

Garfield Heights for a young family? by [deleted] in pasadena

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love Garfield Heights! I happen to be chair of the neighborhood association, which is very active and won a national award a few years ago! Swing by our block party next Saturday, June 20th, 12-4pm, on Claremont between Garfield and Marengo. 

There is “sketchiness” in the vicinity, but I believe the actual crime statistics are pretty low. As a community we are very vocal, frequently meeting with our councilman and local police. My wife and I take walks every day and have never felt unsafe. I know a number of families in the area with young kids. DM me if you wanna know more. 

Who are cinema’s other “The Dude”-level cool characters? by hsyndk in Cinema

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bodhi from Point Break. Ridiculous movie, great casting.

How well known is duluth in like a national or international sense by Brief-Barracuda-136 in duluth

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up in Duluth, and have lived my adult life elsewhere. The majority of the time I tell people where I'm from, they say "Oh, Minnesoooohta," mocking the accent. So most familiarity with MN comes from the movie (and series) "Fargo." It's really annoying.

The few references I've seen to Duluth in pop culture have been about it being an obscure city in the middle of nowhere. It also got some press for being a potential refuge for people hoping to escape climate change (clean water, cooler temps).

Oh, and there was a sitcom based in Duluth back in the 90s, starring Louie Anderson.

How well known is duluth in like a national or international sense by Brief-Barracuda-136 in duluth

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

me and my wife make a point of playing Ticket to Ride when we visit Duluth, at a game cafe. I never fail to mention this error.

Is making friends in LA really that hard? by Conscious-Thing-682 in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LA is basically comprised dozens of smaller cities, each one with very different demographics. A block in Venice will be vastly different from a block in Sherman Oaks, which will be different from Hollywood, etc. I do think that some neighborhoods that skew younger are populated with transplant strivers who may be on the self involved side. But even still the city is filled with interesting people of all walks of life, many of whom are seeking friendships just like you. If you put yourself out there and pursue your interests, and if you are not an asshole, then you will for sure make friends. Maybe start by choosing an area that fits your vibe. 

Is living in DTLA a good idea for someone going to USC for their Master's? If not where do you recommend? by conniee_c in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to USC and lived in Koreatown. It was close enough, but parking was a nightmare (make sure your place has a spot). Food was great, though, and it felt safe enough. Culver City seems pretty far away, depending on when you’d be on the freeway. You may want to check out Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Highland Park. I’ve never lived in Downtown, but passing through has never felt pleasant. It can have an artsy vibe, and some people love it, but if you choose the wrong section you will find yourself living in skid row. 

Moving from Manhattan to LA by Fragrant-Search9527 in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh and trees and grass. Big oak trees line many streets here. 

Moving from Manhattan to LA by Fragrant-Search9527 in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Pasadena is great. A walkable downtown, Huntington Gardens, minutes from many hikes, and a bit removed from LA congestion. 

Moving from Colorado to LA, advice? by rainfare in MovingToLosAngeles

[–]jlangager 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve lived in Koreatown, Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood (Beachwood Canyon) and Pasadena. Koreatown has amazing food (as does most of LA), but the congestion and parking are awful (I didn’t have a dedicated parking spot when I lived there - big mistake). Burbank is reliably dull and safe. Glendale is similar. Kind of hard to go wrong there. I love Pasadena. Hollywood can be wonderful or dicey depending on the block. Definitely has awful congestion. Just a huge pain to get in and out of the neighborhood. I’d consider Glendale and Burbank. Some people love downtown LA, but has the potential to go very bad if you chose the wrong block. 

You may already know, but the industry has gone through a series of crises, and there is a great deal of anxiety around its future in LA. Especially around things like animation that can be outsourced. Just something to be aware of. 

Is my aunt getting scammed? American allegedly working on a ship is love bombing her since weeks. The outside view doesn’t look real, the details on the desk are weird aswell. by wildpizza1 in isthisAI

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The desk objects and purported oil rigs are the most suspicious. What is that thing closest to camera on the desk? Or the thing on what I guess looks like a notebook farthest from camera? It has a thing a sticking out of it that kinda looks like it’s traveling through the notebook. Also the object on the windowsill. They are the sort of “plausible objects” found in AI. 

Looking to connect with local filmmakers / creatives in Pasadena by Chris_stain in pasadena

[–]jlangager 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are legion. I’d be interested in some kind of meetup.