LA is a tough market. There is plenty of work, but the cost of living is some of the highest in the country. So, the hourly starting rate looks good, but not when you compare it to rents, gas, and food.
So, be prepared if you move out to LA that you are going to have to work really hard.
Now, to quote Randy Newman, "I Love LA!"
If the choice is "Quit school to start coiling cable, or finish school", FINISH SCHOOL! Experience is good. Education is good. Education and Experience will win every time.
Education does not have to mean a 4 year bachelors degree that you end up with $60K+ in debt and little real world experience. LA City College has a well respected
Theatre Arts Academy.
https://www.lacitycollege.edu/Academic-Departments/Theater-Arts-Theatre-Academy/Department-Home
There are a number of community colleges in the LA area with entertainment fields of study.
Along time ago, I had a discussion about electrical theory with a co-worker. I started by saying, "Picture a
Sine wave..." My co-worker said, "I didn't like physics so I don't know really know about waves." I was dumbfounded. That co-worker never raised above the
level of hanging and focusing lights.
If you want to be mixing front of
house, there is a lot of science to understand. There is a lot of computer networking that you need to understand. If you are freelance, you need to understand about accounting, business practices, tax law.
You don't need this information to coil cable, but if you want to do more than coil cable, you need to apply yourself. And, when you show up for the
call at least 15 minutes early, wearing clean black clothes, without a T-shirt with obscenities printed on it, and you are there to push boxes and coil cable...DO THE JOB!
Good luck,
John
P.S. I now officially feel like an "Olde Pharte"!