Starry Eyed

Just got back to Rochester from my short vacation in L.A. And it was great! I was feeling rather guilty about it, thinking I'd be better off doing something productive during break, even though I am not really required to do anything productive.

I sent off all of my important summer internship applications before leaving. I guess it is sort of a weight off of my shoulders, but then there is the weight of waiting (ooh wordplay!).

So the whole idea of going to Santa Monica, LA was to tag along with my friend who will be graduating soon with an MFA. She attended a Documentary Workshop hosted by the International Documentary Association, and took me and another friend along with her.

And of course, since I was in L.A., I wanted to see everything. And by see everything, I mean, visit at least one animation production studio for the first time in my life. I contacted the studios a little too late, since I really had no time to prepare for the trip until right before our flight (which got canceled by the way due to distasteful Rochester weather. Had to take the bus to D.C. then fly out of Dulles instead.. 'Twas a bad bad day).

Anyway, I wasn't too hopeful about being able to visit the studios, and so I am more than grateful for having been able to visit Klasky Csupo, while walking aimlessly toward Hollywood, and getting to talk to Arlene Klasky and say hi to Gabor Csupo. I was starry eyed. Not because I was in Hollywood, but because I was in a studio. Talking to people passionate about what I am passionate about.

I also got to visit a small studio called Ring of Fire, a few 18 blocks away from the hostel we were staying in. Out of the 18 blocks, I ran 7, since buses were slowing down during the rush hour. It was an equally nice experience.

And the trip was worthwhile =) I even got a call from Nickelodeon agreeing to meet me for an informational meeting. But unfortunately, I had already left L.A.

Lesson learned: Plan ahead!! I knew that already, but we all need refreshers.

Now I need to plan ahead for my next quarter.