How difficult is it for a foreigner to get into the film industry in Madrid? How competitive is it?

Question

I am an actress living in Los Angeles and I am done with LA life! I want to move to Europe, and I love Spanish films. I speak Spanish, though not perfectly, and I am wondering how realistic my chances of "making it" are. I know there are a lot of variables, but I would like to know about the film industry in Madrid in general. Any thoughts? Also, would Madrid offer the cultural, rich, more relaxed lifestyle I am seeking?

Answer 1

Try if you wish but I don't recommend you to come here. My best friend is an actress in madrid and she NEVER ever gets a job here.. the industry works very different here, it's all about contacts, and other... Most castings are not made public so it's difficult to know about them. And then we have very little budget for movies so we do not produce a lot... There aren't much jobs for actors in Spain... and, of course, it has nothing to do with the US, especially LA! and, finally, if you manage to get a job as actor, you don't earn too much you know... not enough to live from it, unless you are among the fewest more popular actors of the country.

Think about it before taking the decision...

I'm sorry to dissapoint you :((

besos!

Answer 2

Well, i don't know really how difficult and competitive it is, but i think it is some difficult because there aren't many films at the year. But i don´t know exactly.

Yeah, Madrid offer culture but seems that in this years somethings theatres are closing (for governament of the PP in Madrid)

Sorry for the mistakes, but i'm from Madrid.

Answer 3

Hello, I am a composer from Greece and I came to Spain 1 year ago to make a career in film music. I have also lived in Athens, London (5 years) and Barcelona.

As I see it, i things are very very difficult but if you know how to look and keep on trying you have a change. Maybe you are not going to work on big budget blockbusters but there are a lot of other things going on. (Short films, theater, e.t.c) One thing that may be a problem for you is the accent.

I would say that London has by far the most opportunities than Spain but it is the most expensive place to be in Europe, as well as much more stressing (think of NYC). I personally love Spain and Barcelona and I found the experience here absolutely fantastic.

Hope that helped a little :)