Music Festivals

There is nothing like the buzz at a good music festival to add some great memories to your summer. It was looking like my summer would come to a close without seeing any live music. Then, a Penn State friend of mine who is living in Santa Monica this summer invited me to join him at a charity festival that included one of his favorite bands. I was excited enough already to check out some new bands, but I became even more excited when I learned it would be held at none other than Paramount Studios.

It was called the Billabong Design for Humanity. The festival featured the bands Imagine Dragons, Walk the Moon, The Lumineers, and The Joy Formidable. I went into it not knowing a single song by any of them and walked away a big fan of them all. If you like music festivals, I recommend checking these bands out. 

Besides good music, the festival featured a variety of artists. They had an art gallery set up with a silent auction going on. They had graffiti artists decorating walls to take pictures in front of, and they had unique merchants selling items such as "jammy packs". It is a fanny pack with a speaker on the front that you can plug your phone or ipod into.

The festival drew in a large crowd, including a few celebrities. I spotted Ben Nemtin of The Buried Life, Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill, and Lea Michele of Glee.

All in all, it was a really fun night. I look forward to attending again next year!

Weddings and Sunburns

This past weekend, my Irish roommate was a bridesmaid in a wedding, and she invited me to join her as her date back in May. The bride had joined us on our trip to Vegas, so I was acquainted we her. The ceremony was held in a beautiful Catholic church just north of Simi Valley followed by a reception at the beautiful Spanish Hills Country Club.

It was a bit awkward at first. While I was happy to be a witness to the beautiful ceremony, I felt like I was encroaching on something personal. My only connection to the couple was as a friend of a friend.

However, once the reception got into full swing and I joined my date at the bridal party table, I felt more comfortable.

Both families were Hispanic, so some of the speeches tested my knowledge of Spanish, which I'm sorry to report wasn't strong. Although, I am holding to the conviction that had I been given a written copy of their speeches, I would have been able to translate it.

The food was delicious! I chose the vegetarian option and it was layers varying squashes wrapped in roasted red pepper and topped with some sort of sour cream or cream cheese. I also tried a bit of my friend's chicken. It was so juicy, and her mashed potatoes were perfectly creamy. My compliments to the chef.

After eating but before dancing ensued, my friend and I took the opportunity to pop into the photo booth they had set up. It was a really cute idea that I may steal for my own wedding. Guests could gather into a curtained off area (that accommodated many more than your average photo booth) to take photo booth pictures, with a variety of props if they so wish, and then paste them into a photo album with a cute little message.

Shortly after, everyone was invited onto dance floor. The DJ went through a few Top 40's before the band took back over and the real fun began. Let me tell you, Hispanics can dance! And I cannot. The groom's brother was such a sweetheart and tried to teach me, but it resulted in me learning nothing and him just spinning me around the dance floor. The groom even stepped in for a little bit, but my feet just do not move as quickly as they are supposed to. I need to take an agility class or go back to my high school basketball practices. Maybe I should start running more sprints. Quick was never an adjective I would use to describe myself, but I didn't realize that would hinder me off the athletic fields. Regardless, I made a valiant effort and certainly enjoyed myself.

My Irish roomie and I followed up our wedding date with a beach day. We headed back to Malibu to meet up with some friends of hers we have hung out with before. They're fun people, so I'm glad I got to see them again before my summer in L.A. comes to a close.

One thing you need to know about California beaches, they can be pretty breezy. It was a particularly windy, though beautifully clear day. I was a bit chilly lying out in my bathing suit and didn't want to get out of the suns rays to lie under our umbrella for fear of getting too cold. So I stayed in the sun...for all 5 hours we were there.

After my great victory over the sun in the deserts of Lancaster, you would think 5 hours on a beach wouldn't be an issue. What is that compared to a whole day in the desert sun? Apparently, I did not do as well in my reapplying because I am burnt to a crisp. This is easily my worst burn since the blistered and purpled shins I came home with on my senior class trip. It is an all encompassing burn that makes it hurt to sit, stand, and lie down. There is not enough aloe vera in the world for me right now. My body is radiating so much heat, I could be used as a space heater. I hope I recover by the end of the week or it will be a long drive home.

Heather: 1 Skin cancer: 1

Long Time No Talk

So it has been awhile. I got really busy with they film festival I was working on and time just seemed to get away from me.

I am now 21. I love it. I love being able to just go to a bar and hang out with friends. I love being able to hit up happy hour. I love being able to just crack open a Guinness to wash down my chips in salsa as I watch TV.

Vegas was definitely an experience. I'm holding to my silence (though if you ask me in person I am quick to spill the beans). I look forward to my next trip there!

After Vegas, my life became consumed by the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles. It spanned from Friday, July 6th, to Friday, July 13th. I was a photographer for the festival. I did mostly red carpets, but also got pictures of the actual festival itself and the after parties. It was a surreal week, just working red carpet after red carpet, going to parties in art galleries and on rooftops. Most films screened at the Downtown Independent or Hayworth Theatres, but one, Heathens and Thieves, screened at Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live. L.A. Live is also home to the Staples Center, along with many other shops and nice restaurants. It is a really modernly beautiful place. The ESPYS also happened to be taking place there on the same night. I spotted some tall, athletic men that people were taking pictures with, but none that I recognized. I did get to meet Patrick's Swayze brother, Don Swayze, at the screening as he is one of the main characters in the film.

I definitely enjoyed working with the festival. I met a lot of great people between those in the industry and the other interns I worked for. Below is a slideshow I put together as a part of my internship with some photos from the festival.

After the festival I took a little mini road trip the Phoenix to visit one of my best friends. After doing so much running around L.A. it was nice to get out for a bit. I always enjoy visiting the Phoenix/Tempe area, and when I am only a six hour drive away as opposed to a six hour flight away, I couldn't pass up the opportunity! I got to do some thrifting, experience the night life on Mill Ave., and just relax. While the festival was fun, I felt like I was always going, going, going. My weekend retreat to AZ was a great way for me to unwind. It was also a much needed escape after having my phone stolen.

Yes, my phone was stolen during the festival. You never think it is going to happen to you. I was working the red carpet during an after party at an art gallery. The gallery is set up so that there are two wings on either side of the door before you walk into the main area. The red carpet was in one of those wings, so I was off to the side by myself. I set my camera bag down (for the first time that night) underneath a table that separated the gallery from an employees only area. I wasn't getting much action on the red carpet, so I had my phone out and was texting. A group of people came up to get their pictures taken, so I set my phone down in the front pocket of my camera bag. While I was taking pictures, I notice another guy make his way over. He looked like someone who had just drifted in off the street. Once I finished with the group, I turned to him and asked if he wanted his picture taken. He mumbled something about not having cash and waiting for his girlfriend. I didn't really follow what he was saying, so I just let it go. I turned my back to him to take pictures of packed gallery. After a few moments, he taps me on the shoulder and asks how much it is to  get a picture. I told him it was free and to jump right up. He did and through the scarf that he was wearing over half his face. I thought it was odd, but I also thought he was odd. He took off, and I went to go check my phone only to find it gone. I tried calling it and tracking it but he had turned it off. It is so frustrating in this day and age how little can be done to recover a stolen phone.

My trip to Phoenix provided me with a great opportunity to get out of my head after that experience. It also gave my a chance to plan out my road trip home! This friend will be joining me as I make a weeklong drive home. I am beyond excited! More details to come!

What Happens In Vegas...

Stays in Vegas.

The Entertainment Capital of L.A.

I am lucky enough to be living with a Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., employee this summer. She said whenever I wanted she could get me into the park for free, and last Thursday I decided to take her up on the offer. I invited two other art department interns to join me, and we spent the day riding roller coasters and exploring the studios.

We first met up with the girl I'm living with. She took great care of us! She gave us free water and four front of line passes, each one being valid for up to 5 people. Our first, and probably my favorite, ride was the new Transformers 3-D ride. The special effects where really good. If you have ever been to Universal Orlando, it was similar to the Spider Man and Hogwarts ride. They had some of my favorites from Orlando, like The Mummy and Jurassic Park. One thing that makes the Hollywood park different from its Orlando counterpart is the Back Lot Tour. We got to go around the actual Universal Studios that they use for filming. It was so cool to see all these sets and props I had seen in movies before. It was especially interesting to see how fake the New York set looked in real life, but it always looks so real in the movies. That's Hollywood for you.

After a fun day in the park, we took off for the desert for filming. We were on location for the next few days in Lancaster, CA. It was HOT. And sandy. Go figure. I think I went through about ten bottles of water an hour and a whole bottle of sunscreen, but I came away with only a bit of pink on the back of my neck.

Heather: 1 Skin cancer: 0

Pausing

Have you ever had those moments where you just pause and kind of take a step back to look at your life? I've been having a lot of those lately, and I like what I am seeing.

They are most common while I am driving. It's not what I had expected. I'm not surrounded by a concrete jungle like I am in New York. Most of my driving takes place around mountains and rocky hillsides. It's such different scenery than what I am used to when driving around PA and NY. I find myself constantly marveling at my surroundings and thinking, "I actually made it. I'm in California. I'm living in L.A." Ever since last fall, I knew I wasn't going to be anywhere but L.A. this summer, but sometimes I still find myself surprised that I actually made it happen.

I've had those moments during my internships as well. Last Thursday, there was a Arts Walk in Historic Downtown LA that showcased over 30 art galleries. One of my internships, Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles, works with the Los Angeles Center of Digital Art. I got to take part in the Arts Walk by assisting at LACDA gallery. I worked the red carpet, photographing gallery viewers as they walked and posed on the red carpet. I walked around the gallery taking pictures and filming the event.

That was when I had another pause. Here I was, working as a videographer at a trendy art gallery in downtown L.A. Seriously? Now if only I could get paid to do that. Obviously, I had my own moment on the red carpet before the night ended.

On Friday, I was on set for my internship in the art department. The scenes took place at a craft shop that was packed with rows and rows of supplies. It was cramped and hectic and so, so great. There were so many people. There were easily 30 people there, and they all had a job today. It was such a different experience from anything I'd ever worked on. At school, we have three person crews. Sometimes there are upwards of 8 people on set, depending on how many actors you have. I loved the atmosphere. It was like I was living in the film Living in Oblivion.

However, that was event the best part. I was setting up a "doll aisle" with various doll parts that I was sure I would have nightmares about later when I notice a group of people stop at the end of my aisle. They are being introduced to the director, but one stood out to me. I wasn't sure at first, because his back was to me, but he was wearing a hat that I had seen a certain actor don constantly. My suspicions were confirmed when he turned in my direction, and I was experiencing my third celebrity sighting. Standing before me was Josh Hutcherson best known for his role as Peeta in The Hunger Games. Apparently he is friends with the one of the producers and just wanted to drop by and check out the set.

My final internship has been enjoyable, due entirely the the people I am working with. I have been organizing cast and crew documents and updating the credits list for the film Beyond the Mat. This past week I got to meet the two leads of the film, as they are also producers. They told the other interns and I some tricks of the trade and how to get our start. It was useful advice that will definitely help me next year when I take the big leap.

I'm sure I am not done pausing for the summer, I just hope they continue to be in moments of awe and joy. I encourage you to pause as well and just take in your life for a moment. It's an interesting feeling.

Firsts

I've experienced many firsts in this past week.

I had my first celebrity sighting of the summer. I went to The Grove to apply for a job at a few shops, and discovered that is where they film Extra. Imagine my surprise when I learned I could come to The Grove everyday and see Mario Lopez's beautifully dimpled face. On this particular day, he was interviewing George Lopez about his new dating show.

I had my first day on my two internships. As a part of the art department, I have been working to make rocks out of paper and plastic. Once I taped giant balls of paper together, I melted layers of trash bag plastic around them, and then painted them to make them look more life like. Today, I finished up painting a bunch of props white for the opening scene in the film. It's fun getting crafty, and I'm learning a lot about what goes into making a film from the art department.

My work with the film festival as been primarily working on a social media outreach. I have been working with a team of interns to promote the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles. I get more and more excited for it each time my supervisor talks about the networking opportunities it will provide and the penthouse parties we will get to attend.

I took what is sure to be my first of many trips to Santa Monica. It is easily my favorite part of California that I have seen so far. It has everything, a pier, a beach, and great shopping. It is also where a friend of mine from Penn State just moved into a great apartment.

I booked my first trip to Vegas! The weekend following my 21st birthday I'm hitting the road with some friends to celebrate in style. We booked our weekend at Planet Hollywood, located in the center of the strip. I remember being 16 and having this crazy fantasy of celebrating my 21st birthday in Vegas. I never thought it would actually happen.

And finally, I am currently watching the Tony Awards for the first time, and it makes me want to get involved in Broadway productions. Or at least go watch them all.