I feel pretty well settled into my summer in LA. The past couple weeks since I started have been a whirlwind of activity and excitement. I hardly know where to begin!
The most exciting news comes by way of Participant Media: I got a promotion! My direct supervisor and the assistant to the president of the company called me in Thursday to chat. They asked me if I’d be interested in interning two days a week on the president Ricky’s desk, reporting directly to him and his first assistant Jack. Would I be interested? Of course! Jack trained me today, explaining the phones and how everything works, and even got to take a few calls myself (baby steps, right?). I’m really excited to have this opportunity because I already love this company so much and I’m eager to learn as much about it as possible. Getting the chance to interact directly with the head of the organization and see how he works will be invaluable. Not to mention, Jack and Ricky are fantastic, and I know I’m going to really enjoy working with them. I’m so excited! I’ll still be reading scripts and working with the narrative department, so this will just be an added bonus.
Other things to know about Participant: they offer free yoga and pilates classes on Mondays and Thursdays; I’m meeting with their HR director tomorrow to talk about my resume and cover letter; last week I was in the office for the “all staff” meeting where each department talked about what they’re doing and the founder spoke; and before the summer’s up, I’ll likely get to see Contagion, The Help, Page One and Circumstance before they hit theaters because they’re having screenings at work.
Things are going really well at MGM as well. Last week I read a script I really liked, and when it came up in our evening staff meeting, the president of the company says, “well, if you liked it, pitch it to us.” I know I must have been so red in the face, but I managed to produce words (high point), and I was convincing enough that several of the execs took home the script to read it that evening. The photo that headlines this post was taken in the lobby at MGM. It’s the Best Picture Oscars for Gone with the Wind, a film the company produced back in 1939. So much history in that place.
I’m still reading scripts for Phoenix Pictures, but I’m finding it difficult to make time to read and write coverage for them. There’s just so much else going on!
I was able to go visit my dear friend Dennis Byrd in San Francisco this past weekend, and although the trip was short, I had a wonderful time. I use to love San Francisco, and while I still think it’s a great city, I have to say LA has really grown on me and is definitely ahead of San Fran now. I just love how LA is truly a combination of many smaller cities and neighborhoods that meshed together create a vibrant, diverse and interesting place. I’m feeling better about the possibility of moving out here in December.
I also got to attend opening night at the Hollywood Bowl with the folks I’m living with this summer. In addition to great performances by Harry Connick Jr and Gloria Estefan, Hilary Swank and Helen Mirren were there to introduce the entertainers. What a treat! I also saw Donald Sutherland and Carol Burnett roaming around looking for their seats before the show started.
This Thursday I’m going to a cast and crew screening of Bad Teacher with my friend Stacey before the film hits theaters on Friday, and that should be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to friends visiting in the next few weeks and seeing what adventures I can get myself into in and out of the office. Most of all, though, I’m looking forward to reading as many scripts as possible, meeting as many people as possible, and learning as much as possible. I can’t believe I’m really here — I’m truly living my dream, y’all!
Blake
