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.