So.. I’ve been spending a "Little" bit of time up in LA lately. It’s different. LA has a very different feel from Orange County for sure. When it comes to the people there are many more different kinds here. Orange County is fairly "cookie cutter" when it comes to homes and people. I’m not saying that’s bad per se .. just very different from LA. LA has a very creative and artsy vibe. One of the things that is largely lacking from Orange County, aside from the many visual artists in Laguna Beach. And of course film.
LA is THE film capital. Just go ahead an try finding a film equipment rental place in Orange County (Trust me. I’ve tried. It’s not easy). One of the reasons I moved out to California was to put more effort into my filmmaking and make it as a filmmaker. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, especially in light of my planned upcoming film shoot next fall. And now.. not to mention, Anna works at a production studio, is also a screenwriter, and also plans to direct and produce. Definitely more inspiration for sure and some talk of future collaboration.
It’s hard to explain something when you love it so. Well.. maybe some of you can relate when it comes to running and the lengths we will go through to train, get to a race, etc.. Especially ultra runners who always get the question "why" and rarely can fully answer that question. My love of filmmaking and writing is much like my love of running and ultra running. With both of them I can pinpoint back to when I was inspired. I have never lost my passion for filmmaking but I have been re-inspired.
I thought I could work the film business from the comfortable confines of Orange County. Stay out of the Hollywood "circle" so to speak. But the people I have met down there are not serious about film. Not like I am. The resources are not there. The contacts are not there. The resources. The contacts. The contests. Are all in LA. A friend of mine told me last year about the 168 Film Project where filmmakers have 7 days to make a 10 minute film. The competitors range from complete rookies to industry professionals. It’s a great opportunity for exposure, meeting contacts, etc. I missed the deadline last year but I do plan to participate this year.
I feel the time is now. I’ve been "Dabbling" back and forth with film for years. Now I am in California. Now I have a film planned for next year and am very serious about making a great film that will get picked up and released. This may mean a move to Los Angles for me. Something I am thinking about now as my lease is expiring in 30 days… It may mean finding new trails to run. But not leaving old ones behind. And definitely not leaving OCTR behind – after all – LA isn’t all THAT far from Orange County. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with my plans to put on a 100 mile race. My planned date was shot down and there is a new race that is planned for Orange County in May (100 miles). Maybe another one is not needed. The back up date would be December but that would conflict with my film shoot for next fall and would not leave much time for preparation. Maybe that is a sign to drop that and focus on my film career?
I DO know that a new chapter is opening in my life. One I’m very excited about and very much looking forward to. One that I am taking side by side with another, and not alone. One that may well lead me on many new journeys. There are some unknowns for sure. There always are. That’s all part of the adventure isn’t it??
Happy Journeying,
Jessica
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how exciting!
I think you would fit into LA perfectly! And you would still be about the same distance away from me, just in another direction, so that’s not too bad
Happy journeying to you sweet Jessica
J–
Read your stuff and thought a moment about yr last post. i’d say move to LA and become the you in yr mind’s eye. become yr movie. give it yr shot. risk, reward and all. LA is a film studio. dive into the fear and trembling. make your movie now. your life’s arc has brought you to this moment of decision. choose.
thnx for sharing.
fromthehillsofnystate
If you happen to move close to the SouthBay(Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach) let me know. There is a small group of ultra-runners that would be glad to welcome a new member. It’s not an exclusive club, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but people general shy away from 30 mile+ runs. Come to think of it, they shy away from 7 mile runs. Maybe it’s just us, maybe we smell bad, Maybe because our group is really only a few people who like to hang out together, maybe its because we get excited when a toenail un-expectedly falls of(yes, I did get excited when this happen on Thursday, unbelievably excited, it was, afterall, unexpected), maybe it is because the group is mainly girls and the 1-2 guys run like girls, maybe its because we wear toe-socks with sandals, ok, maybe only I do and have been told it scares babies, maybe it’s because they get subjected to non-sense like this…yes, that is definitely it…it’s this rambling that goes on for hours and hours, I mean what else do you have to do all night when running, nothing to do but talk and pee, do not forget pee, it is very important. It keeps the bears away, along with the lions and tigers but defintely the bears.
D
For some reason I have no doubt that you will be a success at whatever you put your mind to! : )
“I DO know that a new chapter is opening in my life. One I’m very excited about and very much looking forward to.”
You are right to be excited – each new chapter is something to be celebrated! Sorry about the hundred plans, but maybe it will work out – or, as you say, maybe it’s best to move on to your next big thing.
“There are some unknowns for sure. There always are. That’s all part of the adventure isn’t it??”
It sure is! Good luck and enjoy the journey!!
Sarah
PS Great to see you in AZ – glad that you got to enjoy a loop there!