I am a great fan of New York City if you might have noticed. I've even been a fan of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani for some time (and I had typed like 2 paragraphs here before about politics & the like... yea. I omitted it!) So you can thank me later! So anyway, theres so much to like about NYC that its hard to list it at all... its like im stunned! Theres shopping, theres shows, theres every kind of event & fun thing to do you can imagine! I'm from Florida saying this... the beach can be overrated at times. Theres not much of a filmmaking industry, there's not many cool cafes or book stores. There's not that many intellectuals down here it seems. There's this attitude of animosity from a lot of people, you know, it's like a "my way or the highway" kind of thing. I think its cuz people don't like debating ideas typically down here. New Yorkers, in contrast, are more used to competition in every way. You are forced to be stronger as a result.Speaking practically, while New York has a great weakness as a place to move to (financial reasons)- that weakness also serves as it's greatest strength as a filmmaker & as someone who is planning on having very marketable skills when (& if) I move there. I plan on not only having mad skills (filmmaking experience & flash design skills) but assets to bring to the table as well.
This will take some time though- but, if I am blessed with a few good friends here in Florida who believe in me- I am counting on an inspiring, blessed moment to occur... the moment in which I can create a short film with the help of my friends in order to open up my filmmaking career in NYC. What this provides for me is an invaluable asset for the rest of my life as it can really showcase my talent & it will allow me to finally pursue the kind of career & work I am actually passionate about. I've never cared much about being rich & famous like so many Americans these days, but I have felt out of place in each & every job I have ever had which now has reached up to 34 (!) jobs in my life! Why has this happened to me? No reason except I have not ever been given a chance to do what I have wanted. I'm like Ethan Hawke's character in Reality Bites! It's kinda funny.
I am confident that if I am in New York, I will be given better job opportunities, more exposure for my artistic talents & better use of my experience. The CUNY state university system (hopefully Brooklyn) can give me a good opportunity to go to a low cost film program, and if I am able to room with 2-4 more film enthusiasts, our housing costs should remain manageable.
In the rent department- I am really liking craigslist for the most up to date system (because in NYC- if you don't acquire your apartment the next day- you lose!), but there are other sites I am open to as well (A reminder... as it comes to craigslist just be leary of scams!). I am also planning on (when ready), asking our already present NYC friend-base to help us with 'what is' the right kind of place to look for and kind of being a present witness (possibly) of how good or bad this place is before we get there. From what I can tell, these seem like the numbers to watch for from my (mostly) uninformed position... $800 (or less) for an efficiency, $1600 (or less) for a two bedroom, and $2000 for a three bedroom. As you may be able to tell- im staying around the $400 or less per person area. This looks to me VERY reasonable if you are a sport and can live in a small closet (for awhile at least). It is much better for each of us the more people & bedrooms weve got here but there's got to be a limit on what is manageable. We are adults here- we should be able to establish a consensus on agreed-upon basic rules for the apartment as alot of these places have shared kitchens, living spaces & bathrooms (if not bathROOM='singular'). This means many things will have to be shared & so we need ways... of staying out of each other's way (if that makes any sense). Marriage teaches you that togetherness is also responsibility- theres a responsibility to nurture harmony & compassion. Well, I hope its just a very mutually beneficial experience and also a lot of fun!
If my friends haven't as of yet discovered some of the NYC film incentives I would challenge you to do so- some of them are VERY attractive- I
don't expect to just be able to film whatever projects we want right away- but to get in contact with people who can help us, to do great things in our own time & also, to use our film/web design/animation/industry jobs to (at the same time) promote and create our own work and therefore improve our reputation.Also have you been to the STORES in NYC- I have never been more charmed in my LIFE!!! It's just... to find a grocery store- sheesh! Actually I did find a Costco with an internet search. Its just... now a new set of problems! How do you take your bulk foods with you on the bus??
If you haven't seen them- here's some pics of our trip to the Big Apple on flickr.
Jon the filmmaker.
