how much money should you save up if you want to go to L.A. to become a movie cameraman.?

I know it will take about 5 years to get established in the business as for as your first big gig. I would have to find a place to live and maybe get menial labor to pay the bills while making contacts and finding entry-level gigs on the camera crew.

Public Comments

1. 100 billion dollars
2. you should probably raise over 50,000, equipment, hotel/apartment...
3. probaly around 1million$$ bling bling
4. If you don't know anyone there it will be tough because you will need a hotel for a while before you get a place to stay. 3 or 4 thousand is what I would want to bring. Oh, and not in cash lol, I mean like in a checking account with a debit card. Good luck and be sure to get me into the premier of your first big movie.
5. Sorry, you have it all wrong. I don't know where you live but aside from school of some sort (mandatory as far as I am concerned), you need some experience. You can get that experience in any major city. Simply go to Craigslist, look for the Talent and Radio/TV gigs sections, and start looking for jobs as a cameraman. Start networking with others in the business and build a reputation. You don't have to go to California to be involved in making it big. But best of all, stay encouraged and work your butt off to achieve your dreams.
6. Try to save up enough for rent, food, essentials for at least six months worth. That will give you a little time to find a job of some sort that will pay the bills while you pursue your dreams. That will mean that you can't go out to eat or drink because that will waste a lot of money. It's cheaper to do those things at home. Learn to budget wisely and save as much as you possibly can Good luck.
7. Have enough money saved for car payment, rent, bills, fuel, and food for 12 months. This is after you graduate film school.
8. You don't need money. Every guy in LA has a beach house at Malibu, a Ferrari and a Vogue model girlfriend. And no job. Don't you watch American TV?