Field Notes: The Media School Travel Blog

Dear Los Angeles,

After spending a summer in New York City, I wasn’t sure I could love another city. It was the hardest breakup I’ve ever gone through. In a way, I was dreading moving on. When I was on the plane back to Indiana, I waved goodbye to the skyscrapers sitting on that little island that gave me the best summer of my life, wondering if I would return again.

I spent a week at home before flying to you. After a four-hour flight of listening to nothing but Anderson Paak and my curated “Hot Girl Semester in L.A.” playlist, I saw something I’d never seen before out my window. The letters looked small because of how far away it was, but I knew they must be huge if I could see them from this distance — tall, white letters that read “HOLLYWOOD.” I didn’t think something I had only seen in media would be so powerful for me. I felt opened up to new opportunity, like I could love again.

From Kirsten Dunst getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to relaxing on a beach in Malibu, spending time with you is never boring. There is always something going on, whether it’s a networking opportunity or simply jumping through waves and watching dolphins swim by (yeah, that happened). You’ve brought so many talented and creative people into my life. The relationships I have formed have been so honest, and the people are so helpful in giving me advice and opportunities to be myself in such an artful space. You’ve made me realize that it is possible for me to freelance, which is something I never thought I could do. Thanks babe. You really made me believe in myself, so much so that I drink kombucha twice a week! Who am I?

I’ve been interning with NBCUniversal in its Film Entertainment group, helping with post-production publicity content as well as getting golf carts for some famous people. On top of that, I get to production assist on set with the famous people. Being on the lot every day and watching the action happen is a world I’ve never seen before, and it’s insane to be immersed in it. On the flip side, I’m also interning with a small indie film production company called Cold Iron Pictures. It’s a complete change of scenery from NBCU, but a side of the industry I really wanted to see. There, I mostly do script coverage and run errands. Normal intern things. The common denominator: meeting qualified industry professionals who care about helping the little intern find her footing. Another reason I’ve fallen in love with you, L.A.

But the main reason I love you is brunch. Here are my favorite brunch places:

1. Met Her at a Bar
2. Sqirl
3. Blu Jam Cafe

All of these changed my life. No, seriously.

Thank you for showing me a new world. I think I may have found love again. I know I will have a tough decision to make once I graduate in May, but I am grateful for the opportunity to be in this space and to understand what makes you such an inspiring and magical place.

Love,
Kathryn