When people hear I'm into filmmaking they wonder why I do not move to Hollywood. The average person does not know what goes into making a movie and that all the elements needed to make a movie are available anywhere and everywhere. There has never been a better time than now to make the film you want to make any place in the world. Moving to Hollywood is more trouble than it is worth.

High Cost of Living

Rent for a one bedroom apartment is double in LA from what it is just 30 minutes away, so imagine the difference with what it costs where you live. I have family in Missouri and they have $300 spacious places, in Hollywood you will get a lot less for $1100. There is no public transit to speak of, especially not for a filmmaker that needs to move equipment from here to there. So you will need to purchase and maintain a vehicle. Food is more expensive here, too. I remember taking a trip back east and the combos at fastfood places were two dollars cheaper. Plus you will not have a network of people to help you when things get rough and they will, they always do.

Boring, Over-Used Locations

Too many movies are made in the LA area and consequently the locations here and used over and over. If you are a filmmaker of vision that wants to bring something new to the screen why would you run to the place that has been filmed to death. If the location has not been filmed before it will be undoubtedly just like so many other scenes in movies; the hip club, the city skyscraper, the posh artists loft. Rather than do the cookie cutter thing find unique places in your area and make something awesome with them.

Competition for Scarce Resources

If you are thinking Hollywood is overflowing with money that you can use to make a film, think again. There are filmmakers galore out here vying for the few dollars available and they are more experienced and better connected than you. You might think this is the place to find name actors, they are here but you being here would not help as much as having a cool project they just had to be in.

Undiscovered People At Home

There are faces in your area the likes of which have never been seen on screen and you have the audacity to come to Hollywood looking for chiseled dudes and model-esque ladies. There are always characters in every locale and getting them on film should be your calling. How about making a film that expresses a little about you and where you live rather than something that looks like what your family thinks is a "movie".

Good Will From Flattered Neighbors

People love movies and once they find out you are making one you will be surprised at the cooperation. Access to restricted locations, donations of food to feed your people as you work long days, or the use of props or wardrobe instead of having to buy them. Your town has a lot to offer if you just ask the people for help.

At the early stages of filmmaking wringing the most out of what you have is an important skill. There will never be enough money or enough good people. Your film will only be as good as you can make it given your resources. Instead of spending too much time trying to make your circumstances perfect or even optimal, spend more time concocting creative ways to use what you have and make it be something you can be proud of.