60 Second Screenwriter: Do I need to move to L.A.?

A video series addressing key screenwriting concerns in sixty seconds.

Some time ago, I proposed an idea to my DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts colleagues: What if we produced a lively, informative series of videos called 60 Second Screenwriter? The concept was simple: Aggregate questions relevant to anyone interested in the craft of screenwriting, then use DePaul students and faculty to produce the series?

And we did it! There are 15 videos, each about one minute long and we are rolling them out biweekly at our YouTube channel.

Today: Does a writer need to move to Los Angeles?

The answer: Yes. No. Maybe. Check out the video to see what’s what.

I had a great time producing the 60 Second Screenwriter series working with my fellow faculty members and a terrific group of undergraduate and graduate students. Here is the production team:

Director: Penny Penniston
Cinematography: Shannon Kuncé
Production Audio Mixer: Eagle Liao
Editor & Colorist: Ana Christian
Post Audio: Joey DeFabio

To see more videos in the series, go here.

More thoughts: The answer used to be pretty clear. Yes, you need to move to L.A.. But with the pandemic and how people managed to do their jobs remotely, the question is much cloudier. There’s always been more latitude for writers who focus on writing movies. Certainly as they hone their craft and add to their portfolio of spec scripts, a writer can pretty much live wherever they choose. However, things are changing on the TV front. With so many series using Zoom for remote writers rooms, I believe it is more possible nowadays for a writer to live outside L.A. and work in television.

As always, focus on developing your writing skills and learning the craft. If you can demonstrate talent and a unique voice on the page, that is a more important consideration than where you live.