Los Angeles Immersion

As one chapter ends, another begins

theyounglarrydavid — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:01:16 -0700

If you’re reading this right now, I’m probably flying in the air above you. I’m planning on reflecting/sleeping during the flight home from BUR to JFK.

I arrived in Los Angeles a little over four months ago knowing nothing about the culture other than what I had seen in the media. As savvy as I can be, I was quite naive about Angeleno culture. To be honest, I had never even been to the west coast before. A few notes:

Driving dominates here
Everything is an opportunity to charge money
Smog is present at various points of the city
Hollywood Blvd. isn’t as glamorous as the media wants us to believe
Celebrities aren’t “everywhere”
The culture is relaxed, which can either work to your benefit or disadvantage
These beaches are the most beautiful I’ve seen in the United States
The view from the Hollywood sign is breathtaking
Working at one of the top ad agencies in the world was an honor and privilege. I was truly inspired everyday and hope future agencies I work for emulate or improve upon the Chiat\Day culture.

I’m excited to return to the east coast and see my friends and family. I have an entire month off before I move into my apartment in Greenwich Village. I’m already planning things to keep myself occupied

Go through EVERY possession in my room and donate, sell, or toss. This will be easier when I hopefully move out next Spring after graduation. (Needless to say, I’m SAVING enough to move out)
Create more social media plans for my freelance clients
Buy books about my career that were recommended by co-workers
Polish my website
Re-craft my resume using InDesign

Hopefully by that point my friends will be home :)

Photo

theyounglarrydavid — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:17:00 -0700

Last week of work

theyounglarrydavid — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:57:48 -0700

Hard to believe I’m coming up on my last days of work at Chiat. I loved every minute—because every task was a learning experience. I hate to sound so sappy, but I genuinely loved my internship and had it not been for it, my time in Los Angeles would have been significantly less exciting.

Abundance of restaurants

theyounglarrydavid — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:06:05 -0700

I’m not kidding if I tell you I spend most of my money on GOOD food. I’ll turn down a mall or electronic device if I think a restaurant is the better value.

I’ve been exploring downtown Burbank since I have the week off and despise LA transportation. Everything I’ve seen has been accessible by foot, and the warm weather truly makes the walks pleasurable.

So far, I’ve been forsaking chain food in lieu of local eateries. I’m not one for chain food to begin with, but sometimes it’s comforting to have food that I know is standard.

I’ve eaten at:

Priscilla’s Gourmet Coffee and Tea
Honeydew Cafe
Cafe Valentino

All were exceptional in their own ways. I’m looking forward to going back and trying even more new restaurants and cafes I saw along the way.

Tomorrow, I will also be taking a studio tour of WB. Between Foursquare check-ins and additional coupon codes, I’m not only exploring, but saving!

Peace, out!

Pleasant afternoon

theyounglarrydavid — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:57:00 -0800

I had to go to the ATM to deposit some checks, and I realized I was near the heart of Burbank. I went exploring, trying to fulfill some of my wishes for this break.

I found a delicious coffee shop a few blocks from the ATM and ordered an iced coffee and chocolate caramel bar. Sitting outside, with the sun beating down my back was beyond calming.

I may hate not having a car here, but parts of Burbank are walkable—and on warm days such as these—why not enjoy?

Sun

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:54:00 -0800

I like to think of myself as a man who enjoys simple pleasures.

Sun rays
Delicious, healthy food
Relaxing music
Comfortable chair or bed

Sundays are a way to refresh myself after a draining work week. At times, I’m jealous of my friends who are abroad and essentially vacationing every weekend. I would love nothing more than to explore every street corner in western Europe and trek back to Israel, but that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

I make do in my enclave of Los Angeles. I woke up around noon today and finished off the leftovers from last night’s dinner party. The sun’s rays were peaking through the vertical blinds in the living room. The sun was calling my name.

Sitting by the pool and running into friends there was exciting. To me, there is no better feeling than the sun’s rays.

Tonight, after I finish my chores and homework, I will be cooking a shrimp and avocado dish with zucchini fries. I’m starting to phase red meat out of my diet and focus more on seafood, vegetables, and white meat. I’ve noticed marked health increases and want to continue the upswing.

At work, I will be finishing up a month-long project and starting a new one. I love how there is always a new project to tackle.

Photo

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:56:00 -0800

Weekend

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:53:52 -0800

This weekend was the most fun in a while!

Friday night, I stayed in to read and then got a craving for Yogurtland. I love Red Mango back home, but Yogurtland has better flavors (my favorite is Yo Frappe). I knew the weekend was going to be long, so I made sure to relax Friday in preparation for Saturday.

At Noon on Saturday, I met with Dean Gayeski for a champagne brunch at the Hilton. There was an accepted student and her mother mulling over the decision to attend Ithaca. I could tell the mother and her daughter loved the concept of Ithaca’s Park School without having even set foot in the school.

The buffet at the Hilton was elaborate and quite filling. At one point I was in sensory overload and froze next to the sushi bar and chocolate fountains. I was always worried about eating in front of strangers or respected people, but I think I handled myself well. Sometimes I become so obsessed with food that I forget about my surroundings (and how they see me eating).

In the early evening, my friend Jackie who interns at FOX, invited a few people to see a free screening of “The Help” in one of the studios. As we walked through the backlot, we saw the exterior shots for Lady GaGa’s “Edge of Glory” music video, How I Met Your Mother, and other shows that use generic NYC-style shots. We also passed by the stages and trailers used for Modern Family. It was so exciting—I’m disappointed FOX doesn’t allow photography during non-work hours.

“The Help” was an enlightening movie, since I never knew how oppressed African Americans were in Southern Caucasian households. Very moving and I’m happy Octavia Spencer won best supporting actress.

Saturday night, we went out to Dillon’s Bar for Christina’s 21st Birthday. Nearly all of my friends are 21 now, which will make going out much easier than before. We celebrated Christina’s Birthday before we left with a bottle of champagne and then took a taxi downtown. The bar was packed as per usual, and the bouncer didn’t believe Christina’s real ID was actually her. We all laughed, though the bouncer was serious. We eventually got in and enjoyed a few drinks before heading back to the Oakwoods around 2.

Sunday was relaxing, but very productive. I drank Jamba Juice for the first time and really enjoyed it. I worked on my usual Sunday routine as well, so now I need to fold laundry and get ready for the week ahead!

I’m excited for our Media Industries night class! Curious to see how it turns out.

Weekend

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:12:43 -0800

This weekend isn’t quite over yet—I have President’s Day off! Friday night I hung around and caught up on my internship logs. Nothing too exciting, but I shouldn’t have put them off. If you’re coming to LA in the future, be sure to do the logs on a regular basis so you don’t have to allocate an hour-and-a-half of your time.

Saturday night we went out to some local bars. We saw Jack McBrayer (Kenneth from 30 Rock) at Franklin and Co. Bar. Alyssa and Dave went to speak with him, and said he was actually really kind and true to his portrayed character.

Alexis, Belli, and I met up with my roommate Mark and his cousins later on that night. We couldn’t get into the Upright Citizens Brigade midnight show, so we all stayed at the bar until 1:30 or so. After that, it was a bit of a blur. Oops.

Today is my Sunday chore day, and I have still have more work to do. Being in LA makes me so relaxed that I forget about tasks I need to complete haha.

Next week is Belli’s Birthday and we’re going to a fancy bar/lounge in Hollywood. I have yet to go anywhere really fancy, but the website bills it as, “Hollywood meets the Hamptons.”

At least I have fun weekends to look forward to! Weather rarely affects our plans.

You absolutely need a car in LA. One of my friends is kind enough to drive me to and from work, but...

theyounglarrydavid — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:19:27 -0800

You absolutely need a car in LA. One of my friends is kind enough to drive me to and from work, but it’s moments like these where I wish I could drive home and not have to wait.

Sorry!

theyounglarrydavid — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:33:00 -0800

I’ve been absolutely swamped lately!

I’m working on an incredible project for one of our new clients. I’m not sure if it’s public knowledge yet, so I will err on the side of caution.

I’m working with another intern, Lucy, on creating a knowledge guide to be distributed to new team members as they are hired. We’re condensing everything about our client into a 40-page manual. To some this might sound boring, but it’s quite the contrary.

Lucy and I are researching as much as we can and making the manual as entertaining as possible. For example, instead of reading 40 straight pages of text, we’re creating visuals, personas, maps, and using found images. The finished project should read like a picture book for adults.

My supervisor for the project has worked with big agencies over the past ten years and is expecting professional and out-of-the-box work. He went as far as to say the following:

This book is something you can show to future employers. It will be comprehensive, informative, and beautiful. It will not only show what you’re capable of, but your entire thought process.

Have I mentioned how much I love my internship?

Miley Cyrus

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:23:39 -0800

She was just at my local grocery store. Too bad I don’t like her.

"Can I listen to music?"

theyounglarrydavid — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:02:05 -0800

This is a tricky question that largely depends on your workplace. I am fortunate enough to work at a company where I am allowed to plug earbuds into my computer and listen to my favorite playlists.

I’m much more productive with tasks when I can keep up with the beat of songs. Music can also help relax you when you’re tense, or…wake you up before a 9:30 a.m. meeting.

Keep these rules in mind when listening to music in the workplace:

Earbuds. Headphones. Some personal listening device. Do not use the built-in speakers.
Always keep the music at a respectable volume. If someone works close to you, they might be distracted by the ambient noise from your device.
As soon as an employee approaches you, BOTH earbuds come out. Give your full attention. One of my pet peeves are peers who have one earbud in and one ear free. If we’re talking about something important, both ears should be free.
This goes without saying, but no blatantly lewd music. The “Plies” and “Khia” Pandora stations are best kept at home. (Or nowhere, in my opinion…haha)
Sometimes it’s easy to lose track of how loud you might be humming along to your favorite songs. Just something to check on periodically!
Music can be a bonding experience. See if any of your co-workers like similar music? Get introduced to new bands or genres.

Nice weekend! My friends and I went out to The Den, a favorite...

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:11:12 -0800

Nice weekend!

My friends and I went out to The Den, a favorite bar of actor Jason Segal. He wasn’t there, but Bill Maher and the cast of soap opera One Life to Live were! I wouldn’t know the cast of OLTL from Adam, but the girls knew the men.

So much food this weekend. Between the most delicious burger in the world on Saturday afternoon and our Super Bowl Sunday potluck, my stomach was able enjoy the different culinary skills of my friends.

I’m refreshed and ready to start another week of work!

You guys,

theyounglarrydavid — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:19:48 -0800

My friend who lives in the apartment right below me was just filmed in a segment for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

"I'm bored, what do I do?"

theyounglarrydavid — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:22:00 -0800

I’ve heard this time and time again from my friends working at various different firms. Here is some advice on what you can do to give the illusion of looking busy while waiting (sometimes HOURS) on new assignments or revisions.

The worst things you can do while bored fall under the common sense category. Do not wander aimlessly, spin around in your chair, blatantly check Facebook during work hours, take/make personal phone calls, do homework, or nap (duh). Now that’s out of the way.

Tips:

Do you have a desk? Is it a mess? Do your best to get organized. There is no reason for an intern’s desk to look messy, especially in between assignments. If anything, it shows that you know how to keep an efficient workspace.
You probably receive dozens of e-mails a day from various co-workers. When you need to find something fast, the worst thing you can show an employer is how digitally unorganized you are. Sort your e-mails into folders with descriptive names. Keep all work-related e-mails until the end of your internship. Why? You now have a record of specific projects you worked on that can easily be added to your resume. Also, if you have a difficult co-worker who wants to engage in a “he said, she said” game, you can reference the original correspondence.
You probably have one co-worker who “feeds” you tasks and assignments. That co-worker has OTHER co-workers. When one source of work dries up, ask other employees in your department for work. Not only will you become friendlier with your co-workers, but you become a go-to person for future assignments. It doesn’t hurt to get your name out there!
Does your company have multiple departments with multiple interns? Take the time to network, and learn about as many parts of a company as possible. You never know what area might pique your interest.
Always be alert for someone or something that might need help. Is an employee struggling with a heavy box? Is the laser printer out of paper? Offer your expertise if you’re confident you can help. Good deeds are a reflection on your character.
Is there absolutely, positively no work to do? Whatever you do, resist the urge to check your personal social media accounts on your computer during work hours. During your lunch hour, it is technically your time to yourself—be it checking the latest tweets, updating your blog, or taking a stroll around the building.
As a follow-up, if you’re going to use your work computer for entertainment during the inevitable lulls, be sure you have industry-related news or content on your screen. Since I work in an ad agency, I use my work lulls to check news on Mashable, Gizmodo, AdAge, and Brandweek. If your company is large enough to have its own Intranet, be sure to catch-up on news specific to your organization. Companies might also promote in-office contests on those rarely-viewed pages.
Peek into Human Resources…they are the ones who hired you after all! Create small-talk. Talk about your job. These are among the friendliest employees in your workplace. See if there are any brochures, newsletters, or handouts available. If you work at a large company you might even be able to apply for a scholarship or grant courtesy of your workplace.
As much as you might despise data entry, it is a necessary evil. See if you can get setup with a long-term data entry assignment that you can turn to when your time-sensitive assignments are complete. No one likes data entry, so if you show some enthusiasm and initiative, it will be another reflection of your character.

Went to brunch in Beverly Hills with my friend Zoee today. Yes,...

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:21:00 -0800

Went to brunch in Beverly Hills with my friend Zoee today. Yes, I was trying to be as Jewish as possible.

But really, it was a pleasant day. We each had to interview each other for one of our classes. After our delicious meals, we took a detour through Rodeo Drive and went grocery shopping. I love to observe, so these trips will ultimately help my story/interview.

Phew

theyounglarrydavid — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:44:00 -0800

Such a busy week at work. Unfortunately, I can’t say what projects I’m working on. I am, however, learning new computer programs, how ad agency deadlines work, and how to coordinate efforts.

In short, I’ve had a busy week compiling assets and creating clips for clients. (So vague—I’m sorry).

One of my favorite parts of the day is driving to and from work. We pass through a beautiful neighborhood called Hancock Park. Let’s just say it makes Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood look like welfare states.

Went to the Getty Museum today! What a beautiful area. The...

theyounglarrydavid — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:40:44 -0800

Went to the Getty Museum today! What a beautiful area. The exhibits were so-so, but the architecture made up for it.

Found this hilarious comic in a six-year-old, archived Gawker...

theyounglarrydavid — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:34:00 -0800

Found this hilarious comic in a six-year-old, archived Gawker story. I just learned about the Media Arts Lab (MAL) building today, because I asked the brazen question, “So where are the Apple account managers?”

That was the most loaded question of the century, apparently.

The ultra-secretive building has 24/7 guards, a finger print scanner, and even more stringent security procedures inside. My co-worker in the main building has a wife who works in MAL—even he can’t gain security clearance. Apparently job candidates who are interviewing can’t get into MAL. Simply put, only full-time staff knows what the inside of the building looks like.

To contrast, even the general public can get tours of the FBI building in D.C.

Incredible.