So where do the majority of LA based CG animators live? The obvious thought is that most reside around the Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena area (or atleast within a relatively easy commute of). However, there are a ton of smaller to mid sized shops on the West Side. Could that possibly add up to more?
Why would I even care? I guess I really don't, but the conversation came up with someone and it is extremely important to him. And since I can't think of anything better to blog about...
He is going on the impression that most of the experienced feature talent live closer to Disney and DreamWorks than the West Side. I question if that is true. If so, I wonder how easy it was for SPA to get the creative talent to jump over the hill to Culver City. Some of the people I know over here (Burbank) would rather live on the street with nothing more than a shopping cart to their name than deal with the commute.
So I ask you, my loyal group of 2 readers. If you were to start a studio in LA, where would you put it to take advantage of the people?
15 comments:
It seems stupid to me to start an animation studio in such an expensive real estate location as the West Side. Sure I'd understand it if you had to work with lots of clientele that you had to impress, but if you just a production studio, then why? (I never understood why EA chose that location.)
I commute from Pasadena to Culver City every day. It's not so bad. Of coarse I do keep "est" hours and show up at 6 but I get to leave at 4.
In the bay area :)
I prefer the west side but the first poster has a point. Animators will go where the work is anyway I suppose.
I live in Culver City but I work animaet in Miracle Mile. The commute isn't that bad as long as you stay off the 10. If I ever ended up working at Dreamworks or Disney in the valley, I'd consider moving, but as long as I'm not sitting on the 10 or the 5 I probably could muscle through the commute.
It does not matter..."If you build it, they will come" Look at Omation. Several talented animators from Pixar, Disney, Blue Sky, SPA, and Blizzard, moved down or commuted to San Clemente everyday to work on Barnyard.
What is happening with the new studio that is "supposed" to open up in LA. Not Universal although I would like to know what is going on with that but the "other" one. The one that has alot of financing behind it.
A lot of the DW & Disney talent lives further up north off the 5. I bet you could get a better real estate deal in Valencia, Santa Clara or Newhall. Plus for those living in the Burbank or Pasadena areas the commute would be easier because you'd be commuting the opposite direction from all the heavy traffic. For the morning commute the heavy stuff is heading south on the 5, but SF valley based workers would be going north to Valencia. Vice versa for the evening commute. It's a little hotter up in Valencia or SC, but that's what AC is for.
A good number of the people that I work with live in Valencia. And I agree with the previous post that it would be an easier commute for those in the rest of LA, to drive north on the 5 or 405 in the mornings, rather than vice-versa.
First off, I'm amazed that this many people are still reading this blog. Perhaps this is just the same person making a bunch of comments. :)
Anonymous #6,
I hear things now and then about that studio. It is still moving forward with the latest stumbling block reportedly almost hurdled.
There are big bucks riding on this thing, so I imagine it will get traction soon (famous last words). If it doesn't move soon, it could financially ruin a few lives.
I'd love to spill the beans on this as it is the most exciting thing I've heard about in years (not so much the animation part of it, but other aspects). I've been asked to shut up and I'll respect that.
Maybe there is something I can put together in a new post without really giving away anything. I'll have to think about how to best approach that.
If you can put something together about the new studio without breaking your vow that would be great.
Believe me there are a bunch of folks who are curious and interested.
Definitely keep us all posted.
I live in Calabasas and commute to Culver City (sony) daily. It doesn't matter where the studio is, as long as people can get to it. Housing prices have driven people further away from the expensive areas anyways, so they're already used to the commute. What's the saying? Build it and they will come!
p.s. I check your blog weekly for updates, and miss your regular posts!
I grew up in Westwood so I'm biased ;).
I prefer the Westside. Also going from West Side in to the Sherman Oaks area isn't bad at all...Burbank is a nasty drive though.
Been checking in once a week for a while now.....I think that if you build it they will come works to a point. People are leaving some of the bigger studios due to lack of career support, feeling like another clog in the wheel and bad project choice. If you love the place you work and the people you work with than moving to stay with them is a real consideration. Being happy in this industry is so rare.
Personally I hated working in Hollywood and in Culver City (I just find there is no easy way to get there from Glendale/Burbank) and now being only 9 miles away from work is a happy thing.
I guess you'll always find someone to work somewhere...it all depends on if you want that person to work for you.
Many of us great animators on the west-side work for boutique commercial/video houses. We bicycle to work after our morning surf, take our lunch at the beach, and enjoy life :) Would it be great to have a studio o'er here? Sure. Will we be just fine without one? Sure. Surf's Up!
i work at imageworks too and i live 15 minutes south.
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