Abby Aye in L A

It’s August already? I’m not sure how that happened. This summer has been such a whirlwind of events, internships, networking, and exploring Los Angeles that the days got away from me.

I expected this summer to be a formative and enriching experience that would teach me the ins and outs of the film industry. I got that and then some. What I did not expect entering this summer was that I would work three very different positions.

I did not have an internship coming out here, but got one in the first week working for Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim’s production company Abso Lutely as an art intern on an upcoming project. I was there for two weeks, making runs and gluing cotton balls to Chinese lanterns, before I found out about a more enticing opportunity. I left Abso Lutely early to interview for a paid Set Dec PA position on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and somehow landed the job.

Starting that following Monday, I was working 7-5 every day managing the set dec department’s budget, work orders, and tons of spreadsheets. This was a very eye-opening experience; I did not really know what I was doing, and now I had a job that would keep me in Los Angeles until January. Definitely more than I bargained for when coming out here for the summer. There was definitely a learning curve as I adjusted to life as an office PA. Because I was so unfamiliar with my duties, I got frustrated easily and was not sure I was capable of this entry-level job, which was… not great for my confidence. I learned a lot though, not only about production offices and set decoration, but about developing a thick skin and how to be a desirable PA. I am thankful for the time I spent working there (the paycheck did not hurt either), and now I feel more prepared for future PA jobs. After three weeks of this job, I got a call that would yet again change what I would be spending my summer doing.

In mid-July I got a call from the Television Academy that I was selected for their TV Directing internship. I had applied for it nearly 7 months earlier, so that call cause MAJOR relief and excitement. Although I was sad to leave Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, I was ready to pursue this next wonderful opportunity. Through the Television Academy internship, I was assigned to shadow the directors on four shows: Netflix’s One Day at a Time, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, and CBS’ Code Black. I just finished two weeks at One Day at a Time shadowing director Pam Fryman, who taught me near everything there is to know about directing multi-cam shows. On top of interacting with Pam, I got to meet everyone on the cast and crew, and even got a hug from RIta Moreno. THAT was definitely a highlight. Even though the summer class is now over, I will continue working this internship through October.

All in all, this was one of the most important summers I have ever experienced. I learned more with this class and these internships than I could have on my own, and had a lot of fun experiencing what LA has to offer in the process. Through this class I got to attend so many screenings (my favorite being The Professional at the Egyptian Theater with a follow-up panel featuring Luc Besson), WGA panels, tours (got to go backstage at the Dolby, which was surreal), and events that are truly unique to this city. I will miss this summer, but I am excited about the knowledge it gave me and for whatever lies next!

LA: Dogs, Inspiration, & Alexander Skarsgard???

I think the best way to start off my experience in LA is to give an idea of what I thought it would be like. I think anyone who’s never been to LA before has a mystical preconceived idea of what it’s going to be like (thank you La La Land and Clueless). My idea of the city was very rose colored and included celebrities on every corner, lavish parties every night, producers hustling around the city while trying to create the next “big thing”, and fancy cars everywhere full of beautiful people. LA does have one of those things to offer and I’ll let you figure out which it is. Before I got here, I had decided it was for me. I felt it in my bones that it was going to offer me everything I have ever dreamed of.
It wasn’t until I started my internship and really paid attention to the people who surrounded me that I learned how demanding the environment of a production office can be. The phone rang all day, no one sat down, and everyone ate low-fat and organic food. I wondered how people released stress when they were going full speed all day and then I learned that LA has so much to offer there’s no time be tired or really stressed ! So I started going to more events outside of class and my internship to learn from people I admired. I watched Aubrey Plaza and Molly Shannon talk about their work on The Little Hours (Dream come true).  I listened to writers from some of my favorite shows talk about their failures and triumphs that lead them to the coveted writers room. I went to comedy shows at UCB and the Improv and watched legends who have perfected their craft.  I stood next to Jennifer Aniston and was in the same room as Alexander Skarsgard. I got to witness the goddesses that are Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman in person and realized, HOW COULD I NOT LOVE IT HERE?
LA also offered me a new perspective on other facets of the industry. While interning at Campfire, I learned that I enjoy working on post-production in addition to pre-production. This eventually led me to thinking about pursuing producing thanks to one of our alums Chuck Gordon who visited our class. My passion has always been writing and will continue to be, but for now I have found something else that also excites me (YAY for options!)

I think beyond anything else, the thing I most admire about LA is how little it really is. It’s crazy, it’s fast, and it’s sometimes scary, but it also offers a myriad of unexpected possibilities to meet the right person. I love walking by a cafe and seeing someone tirelessly pounding away and wondering if they’re working on a script for my next favorite show. I absolutely love hearing people talk about the aspirations and dreams while I’m standing in line for a food truck (Ya girl eats carbs btw, sorry LA I love you but I think there’s something about treating yourself that makes you live longer than eating organic). I love love love all the dogs here also y’all. They're everywhere and looks better than me half the time. I also love the free movie screenings, the art museums, the stylish business women (#girlpower),  and above all I love the passion that radiates from all the fellow dreamers surrounding me here. LA is everything I thought it would be, just a little smoggy instead of rose colored.

La La Land Summer

    The summer is winding down and I’ll be hitting the road back to Tuscaloosa for one more year in just a couple of days. My time in Los Angeles has been a wonderful learning experience and I’m thrilled I was able to spend my time here with our class. We were able to see and do so much as well as meet and hear from so many amazing people from different parts of the industry. 

I learned about where I want to live, what jobs I want to have, and all the things and people to stay away from. This city has so much to offer and even though it can be incredibly daunting and intimidating, it’s also very welcoming and full of opportunity. Let’s talk about some of the things I did in LA this summer.

    First, most of my time in the city this summer was spent exploring. On days when I got bored when we had nothing going on, I would get in the car and drive around the city, learning the different areas and neighborhoods. I discovered loads of cool places to read, buy movies, get a drink, or see a show. 

I also found some places that I might want to live in when I get out here after graduation. One of my favorite spots in the city is the Vintage Los Feliz Theater where I saw Baby Driver and It Comes At Night. Also, while trying to build my movie collection, I learned the best way to buy movies is to get $2 FYC screeners from Goodwill. 

    The events and activities we experienced as a class were fantastic. We did so much and frankly, I forgot about most of them until just now when going through all of my photos. From studio tours to FYC events, to screenings, to meetings with studio executives, the list is almost never-ending. We heard from industry professionals from all parts of Hollywood that we may never have been able to hear from if it weren’t for the program. For example, Nicole Kidman walked within three feet of me at the Director’s Guild during the Big Little Lies event. That was pretty sweet. But also, we met with high-up folks at places like NBCUniversal, Code Black, and more. These people had terrific insights to their careers and what they do, as well as our aspirations and professional goals. 

    I definitely learned a lot about myself and my future this summer. After hearing from countless professionals and people trying to make it in the industry, I’ve really developed a new mindset for taking on this career. I interned at a small company in Santa Monica called Threshold Entertainment. My boss, the head of the company, who has been in the business for decades, really gave me perspective into how the business works and how I may not have been as ready as I thought I was to start my career. 

The biggest thing that this summer has taught me is that I need to take ownership of my goals and aspirations, and not let anything deter me from accomplishing them. This will be hard in the years to come while I’m hopping from gig to gig just trying to pay rent, but tenacity and dedication will benefit me in the long run. I’m almost ready to come out here and try this thing for real, but there’s still some unfinished business for me to attend before I do. 

The Harsh Reality of Los Angeles

Before I came out to Los Angeles I was skeptical about this immense adjustment. I didn’t have any clue of what I was getting myself into. The way “Hollywood” is portrayed on TV is not how it is in real life. It is hard work to survive living in such a big and scary place. Walking down Hollywood Blvd you get a glimpse of the “real world”. You will see all of the homeless people who let this cruel world get the best of them.

Coming to LA without a car was a very fearsome feeling. I was forced out of my comfort zone. By using the public transportation system I saw a lot more than most of my classmates. I saw what the entire “city life” had to offer — the garbage filled streets—the reckless honking and driving—the crowded bus rides. I’ve been through enough to rant for days…

 Don’t get me wrong; the city of LA is not all bad. I have also experience things that Alabama can’t offer. While living in LA I have gone to multiple events that had major celebrities in the same room. I have seen actors, actresses, and directors such as Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Ava DuVernay, Mel Gibson, and Danny Glover to name a few. Luckily, I kept my composure during these events.

                                             

Another great thing I have experienced out here was going to a movie premiere. The company I interned with is called Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures. They gave me two tickets to the premiere of their movie 47 Meters Down. This event was amazing. I was in the same theater with the cast, writer, and director of the film.      

At my internship I was doing script and screener coverage. I really enjoyed this task, because it allowed me to read scripts and watch films that were compelling and divergent. I also appreciated my internship, because I got to see what my competition looks like.

Being in Los Angeles has deepened my outlook on what is truly important in the entertainment industry. Networking is a vital key to success in this harsh city. Being a part of this program has allowed me to hear advice, feedback, and life-changing stories from people who are already in this booming industry. I have made so many connections with some kind, helpful, and humble people who also studied at The University of Alabama. I will always recollect everything I was told by these industry professionals. 

                                            

The C&IS in LA class was a great choice that I made. If I were to come to California fresh out of college with no prior knowledge of how things work, I wouldn’t know what to do. This program gives you a feel of what this city has to offer. It is hard out here. This industry is not for the weak minded. The advice I would give to anyone wanting to “break-in” to this type of business is know what career path you want to pursue, save up at least $5k-$8k, have a car, be genuine, and NETWORK. Anything is achievable in this industry. You just have to work hard, be aware that rejection will happen, and never give up on your dreams.     

I am an aspiring screenwriter from Huntsville, AL. A lot of people have had negative things to say about my dreams, but that hasn’t stopped the drive in me to prove them wrong. Coming on this trip has made me even more passionate about my craft and I will continue to do everything in my ability to turn my dreams into reality. 

                                                              

City of Angels

Aghhh one of my favorite parts of Los Angeles, the stars. My first day in Hollywood I was a basic tourist and did the TMZ bus tour and we ran into Mariah Carey. I knew from then on out that this summer in Los Angeles was going to be one for the books. I saw Aubrey Plaza at a screening of “The Little Hours” which was an hilarious comedy about nuns in the 1400’s. She is one of my favorite comedic actresses, so life made. Then my favorite selfie of Justin Theroux and I at the finale of The Leftovers, and I still have no words. But, be prepared to run into your idols and don’t forget to breath. One of my favorite events of the summer was a panel for Big Little Lies with Nicole kidman and Reese witherspoon, and nothing can top them in a room together.

The food is Los Angeles is amazing! Cute cafes and fresh restaurants every 30 ft. it seems like but I’m not complaining at all. Fratelli's Cafe is where I went and had an amazing breakfast and I also found out that Nicole Kidman likes this cafe too, so that makes this place even more fantastic. The food in the right picture is from a restaurant called Tinder greens. Yummy is what comes to mind when I think of that place and now I want to go there.  

Everywhere you go it seems like there is never not a time to capture a moment in Los Angeles. Villa Blanca a restaurant owned by Lisa Vanderpump in Beverly Hills was so rustic and beautiful and I also spent my Birthday there. The Bobbi pins in the second picture are found at the Museum of Neon Art also known as MONA in the women's bathroom. The third picture is just Wall art on Melrose which a street filled with art, cafes, and shops. You can experience so much and she some really amazing sites if you just get in your car and drive around the city. My favorite days were spent just driving around the mountains and seeing the view of the city.

I interned at Conan this summer and it was hands down the best experience of my life so far. Interacting with the talent that comes through was amazing and getting to meet some pretty cool people and learn how the Talent department runs made Summer in LA and the TCF program that much better.

It's Not About Age, It's About Attitude

My time in Los Angeles was more than eventful. Because I was one of the only people out here without a car, I feel a sense of accomplishment, because I had to navigate a big city using only public transport. Not only that, but I proved to myself that I could work at an internship that required more experience and work than my previous internships.

My favorite part of the trip was probably the first week, when we got to go all around LA experiencing studio tours, great food, and great fellowship with our classmates. I feel like we all got closer during that week and it made any nervousness about being out here go away. It really helped to make me appreciate the city and the art and culture that it is made up of. 

What I specifically learned in my internship was the quick turn around that is needed for entertainment news, such as the content that Young Hollywood produces. I learned that there is a lot more than shooting and editing that goes into an internet based news source, which was really cool, because I got to experience, learn and actually participate in those things. 

I also learned how to crop photos for web use, as well as how to cut an entire segment. There is a science to everything. I like that. I’m not really about the “artistic” style, unless I am working on my own project, because the creator of a project will always have a different style than me. Young Hollywood has a guide book for how to edit a segment, and you just follow the rules, and the outline, and you’re good. I really like the structured style of that, and the more locked down nature of the jobs they offer. 

I also learned a lot about job searching and making sure that I get to work on time and making sure that I know what I want to do with the experience that I have gained. 

I learned through my experiences out here that I would like to work in post production at a place similar to Young Hollywood, or Young Hollywood itself, editing segments and clips for social media, and still being able to stick my hand in all the other stuff that goes along with production that I have learned along the way. I feel like it will really test my skills, and I will be a really versatile asset to any team.