Adobe MAX

I'm working at the LA Convention Center this weekend. A friend I met at work last week told me about this expo that needed staff so I jumped on it. We had a group interview on Monday that went well. I met Elizabeth, the staffer, and the other applicants. Probably the easiest interview I've been on. About 10 of us sat in a conference room casually answering questions. One young guy was really vocal and funny. He talked about working on the Disney Cruise until recently as an actor and greeter. Sounds fun. I wouldn't want to play Tarzan for 6 months straight though.

Half of the group was younger adults like myself. The other half were much older. It got a little heavy in there when people started talking about getting laid off. One lady was with a catering company for 8 years when she was let go. That's rough. It feels weird being in the same interview with people 10 or 20 years older than you.

I heard back yesterday from Elizabeth and I got the job. It's all weekend. Adobe MAX is some kind of awards expo for computer software people. I've been using Adobe products since high school so I'm pretty familiar. I look forward to working.

Tebow's Down for the Count

Last Saturday's game against Kentucky was eventful to say the least. Although an easy win, the victory was overshadowed by star quarterback Tim Tebow's devastating head injury which caused him to leave the field in the 2rd quarter. Diagnosed as a concussion, Tebow's full medical situation is yet to be revealed. Luckily FL football has a week off to recover giving Tebow an extra week to get ready for the field.

Interning

Started my first LA internship today. My friend Kailey hooked it up. We went to high school together (Lely '05 represent!).  She has been a saint since I moved out here; hanging out, introducing me to friends, helping with work even. So far I have been reading scripts and writing summaries. I also had to drive another coworker to pick up the bosses car. Nice.

Yesterday I had a meeting at a legit talent agency. Not for acting so much as to talk about office opportunities. My new friend Jim, works there. We met through our parents who are friends in Naples. The talk went really well. We chatted about LA, finding work, and where to look. He's a really nice guy. One note Jim gave that will help was about interviews. When we were talking I mentioned being interested in many aspects of TV/Film such as acting, writing, directing and management. He said it might be better to leave off acting, since many employers are weary to hire actors because they tend to be unreliable, taking off for auditions constantly. I think I may have already lost a job because I mentioned acting in an interview.

12 - Settlin' In

Interviews

I had my first round of interviews this week and I think they went pretty well. On Friday I went to Gold Levin Talent, a boutique talent agency who handles actors. Being my first interview I didn't know what to expect. I showed up a few minutes early and met Tim, who emailed me back the day before about the interview. He was nice. Tim was having trouble reloading his stapler when I came in (no office space references please). I thought "there's one problem I can solve already".

On Monday I had another interview at Vendome Pictures, a new film financing company. My new friend Eric set it up after we met last weekend. He's chill as fuck and so is his boss. We talked in her office for awhile about movies, TV, and other entertainment stuff. It felt less like an interview and more like shooting the shit with the boys. Good stuff.

First Taste of LA Improv

After class last wednesday, I found out that iO students get into the show for free-ninety-nine. Saweet! I finally got to see a show last night and it was pretty sick. The first group I saw was Local 132, and the jokes weren't the only funny thing about it. In the group are two friends from UF, Zach and Brandon. We used to play together in TSF. These guys have stepped it up the last couple years in LA, performing regularly on Tuesdays. So badass.

Sleeping

I get a new bed on Friday (thanks mom). I love sleeping. One downside to my new apartment is the noise. My bedroom is right next to the street and my windows are paper thin. The car's driving by is gonna take some getting used to. It sounds like I'm at the Brickyard 400 in here. You can hear the cars rumbling quitely half a mile away until they reach the window, going 30-40 mph. Not really that fast, but when a semi comes by at almost 50 it sounds like the Kessel Run out there.

Day 2 - The List

I think I've finally got my apartment choices narrowed down. With a place in the works, I can start to shift some focus on job hunting. I walked in a few stores around Culver today, but not many (only one) were hiring. I really don't think I'm fit for retail, so I'm going try for an entertainment job or bust.

Special thanks to Shaun who quickly responded yesterday with some good places that are hiring in LA. Yesterday I also found out from a friend about some thing called "The UTA List", discreet job list sent out by trainees at UTA. Every couple of days these agents in training send the list out to their inner circle, detailing all the studios and agencies that are hiring in town. Pretty cool, if you can get it.

Worked on my cover letter a bit today and polished my resume. I love messing with the format, fiddling with fonts, and moving words around. Kinda fun,especially for a OCD guy like myself.

Tomorrow is my first day of improv class at iO West. I very excited to meet people there. I'm little nervous about performing again since I've been out of practice so long. Should be fun. Got an email today from our instructor. Apparently students at iO get into the shows for free. Saweet! Can't wait to watch some pros improv again.

100 days in LA: Day 1 - Danny's Surprise

Today my Hollywood adventure begins! I'm going to start to focus this blog on my day to day activities in  LA trying to make it big. Inspired by best friend Tito and his recommendation to check out a similar blog, I think this is great chance for me to start writing again about something I love; me!

I was walking around Culver City this afternoon looking for apartments. I have virtually given up on looking online which proved to be a plethora of iffy listings varying from scammy, trashy, to just plain rippy-offy. For my first day out, walking around and looking for "For Rent" signs has been working well. I saw two open houses today, one of which looked promising. Right across from Starbucks (aka my temporary office), Luxury Apartments had a couple good deals I could definitely live with. The only downside is that it's a big building with an elevator that reminds me of my college dorm days.

Later on, I was walking some more and I hear a voice calling from a balcony. "Brooks?" a surprised and excited Daniel yelled. Over 2 thousand miles from FL and I happen to run  into Dan, my good friend and co-worker from Gainesville. Crazy! We talked and got caught up. Turns out him and a couple of other Gator Grads got a place together.

Tomorrow I'm going back to CC to continue my search for a new abode. I'm simultaneously sending out resumes and making connections online for work. I'll be able to focus more on the job hunt when I get settled in a place.

Leaving FL

Just finished packing for my big trip to Cali tomorrow. I'm uber excited. My Grandpa and I are staying with a friend in Fountain Valley, just south of LA. Check my twitter HERE I'll be post pics and stuff on my blog too. If you have suggestions of places I should check out, I'd love to here 'em. Post something below.