Is moving to L.A. for acting at 18 a good idea?

Question

Hi.I am from Puerto Rico and I am interested in pursuing a career in acting and I have had suggestions from acting coaches to move because there are no opportunities to grow as an actress here in P.R. Therefore I am looking at the idea of moving to L.A. to study acting in UCLA and to be closer to auditions and castings. But I would have to move straight out of high-school and I would be alone since I can't ask anyone to make such a drastic move with me for my sake. But I'm wondering if it's a good idea or if it's really going to be worth being so far away from friends and family and if it's really going to improve my chances of becoming an actress?

Answer 1

UCLA is a very competitive school, especially in the performing arts area, so have to consider a number of schools.  Do you or your parents have the financial resources?  You would probably qualify for financial aid if you go to a regular college, but "film schools" that don't lead to a degree don't qualify, generally.  Also realize that hundreds of thousands of others are moving to LA for the same thing (just to be realistic).  You should connect with a Puerto Rican community before you go to LA or wherever you go, so that you have some support.  Becoming an actress is as much luck as talent, so if that's what you want to try, I would give it a certain number of years, but also get an education.

Answer 2

I don't think you should move right away.. think about how many people already live there that are trying to be actresses. Get your start anyway you can in or near PR. You said there are no opportunities but maybe you shouldn't make such a drastic move, move somewhere near PR that has opportunities and try to get into an agency. If you start booking roles there, then move to LA. That way you already have a jumpstart, but if at any time you feel like you don't want to act anymore, you can go back to PR without it being so far as LA.

Answer 3

go to school and be very confident. make friends at school and have family visits. thats a pretty nervy thing to do but if it works out, great. make sure thats what you really want and you arent romanticising the whole idea!