INDIE-PENDENT IN LOS ANGELES

Film, Theatre, Music, Television. Long ago, in the world of Hollywood, being part of the independent arts meant you hadn’t made it. When Indie films from Sundance made mainstream box-office, and the dot-com generation turned MP3, Artist Direct and even “Blair Witch Project” into household terms, all of a sudden, Hollywood declared Indie artists to be hip and trendy.

But true artists know, genuine underground culture has been out there all along – while Hollywood snubbed, agents returned unsolicited submissions and waiters who waited tables, waited for scripts to be produced or demos to be turned into gold… Indie Artists have been waiting to be REALIZED… not just discovered.

Real Los Angeles is more than that – it’s about survival. The Hollywood we know is indeed mainstream blockbuster-esque films, not 99 seat theatrical productions. Arts are not celebrated here like in San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New York and a million other towns across the U.S. or even abroad. But this needs to change for the improvement of the so-called City of Angels – to bring people of all cultures, art backgrounds and talents together for a powerful message of making a difference and understanding each other, other communities and connecting and relating to other cities who have ‘found their way’ and celebrate what they have. This is where L.A. needs to wake up for a progressive change.

Real Los Angeles indie arts are just that – truly Indie-pendent. As a self-made entrepreneur, I can empathize with the out-of-the-box genre musician, the poet who is criticized for content that’s ‘too unique,’ the actor or actress who is doing Improv while basket-weaving… as a tagger reinvents himself as a ‘graffiti artist.’ I know that people who dare to be different, will do anything for their craft. I’ve also been there burning the candle of both ends (which is dangerous, by the way!) and chugging pots of coffee to stay awake to do the ‘real job’ as they say to pay the bills and somehow find time for the artistic one.

Everyone knows this journey! It should be celebrated – just like surviving the 405 in a sig-alert! And from the stage to the screen, to the mike, to the canvas, the arts are all about communication, expression and sharing vision.

I salute all artists trying to follow their dream and who wish to express themselves creatively… whether you were naturally born to do it or came on the bus from Arkansas to Hollywood to find your way. Stay true to the dream. Follow your heart and keep it REAL, never selling out.

I also scream at Los Angelenos and say – hang up your martinis, BMWs and skip the trendy bar or millionth rerun of “Friends” and go to see a live theatrical performance, an art showing, or hear that local band that will make you stand up and say… “Wow – I didn’t know this existed in Los Angeles!”

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