James Van Der Beek and them sisters from Sister, Sister...
Internship: Day 1
So far...so AWESOME.
Okay, so the verdict is still out on how I feel about living in L.A. (although, I do think living in a motel room with 3 other people may have some influence over that opinion). I can definitely say, I absolutely love being on the lot at NBC/Universal. It's like stepping into a completely different world. The studio lot is actually it's own city, the size of which I am much more comfortable with than that of L.A.
That's my visitor pass. I actually get a REAL pass in a day or two when I turn in all of my paperwork. It was pretty cool driving through the gate this morning. It only took me about 35 minutes to get there, not a bad commute at all. Although if you consider that it's only about 9 miles away, that may not actually be a great commute. But I am definitely pretty confident with the freeways. Or at least the 101, considering that in the 30 some odd hours and 6 or so trips I've made on the freeway since we got here, I don't think I've gone over 45 mph yet. But the surface streets are a killer. I hate them. L.A. is not like other cities I've driven in. The surface streets are insane, I really don't understand them. And quite frankly, L.A., or rather Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, and Universal City (the places I've been so far) are just a giant jumbled mess to me. I couldn't go anywhere if I wanted because I don't understand the way these businesses are or where they are, I see signs and buildings and doors, and yet....how do I get to them?
Okay, so driving through the gate was cool (yes, I am easily impressed), then I have to drive back to the Muddy Waters lot (I forgot to ask what Muddy Waters is) and to do this I have to drive past Amblin'. Amblin' freaking Entertainment, except now, in addition to the Amblin' signs -- there's the GIANT gate sign for Dreamworks. I'm sorry, but if I see Steven Spielberg someday out there I swear to God I will abandon my post and accost him....ha ha...okay that's not entirely sincere, although....
At any rate, back on the Muddy Waters lot this is where I go:
Yup, that's the trailer where the magic of Eureka happens.
And just behind it....
Okay, it's from my car so it's not a great pic, but that is part of the backlot which is where the Clocktower from Back to the Future is and a bunch of other stuff too. I'm sure I'll get to see more of it as the summer wears on. Not only is that right behind the trailer, apparently they are shooting the '24' movie back there too. Holy crap! Jack Bauer is mere feet away.
Okay, okay, I realize I sound like a total fangirl here, but come on, let's face it I'm just a kid from Missouri and all of this is new to me. We all know I would never freak out and run up to famous people I saw on the lot, I am just not that brave or stupid. I do want to do well at this internship. But it was really cool to see them setting up for the MTV Movie Awards, walk through the post facility for both Eureka and Law and Order, see the Mystery Machine, and see the trailers outside of where they are shooting Land of the Lost. Apparently they are also shooting the TV show 'Life' around the lot too. The Eureka trailer is right next to the accounting office for The Mummy 3 (or is it 4?).
So all in all, a pretty good day. I may not end up loving L.A. itself, but I already love my internship and I already love just being there behind the scenes on the NBC/Universal lot. It's amazing.
Total Drive Time Today: Approximately 1 and a half hours
Total Gas Cost so Far: Still around $350
Theme Song For the Day: Busting up a Starbucks by Mike Doughty