A Fresh Start

Two weeks ago, I started a new job and started a new job in a theater.  My job is working for National Cinemedia.  National Cinemedia is responsible for the "First Look" advertising in Regal, AMC, and Cinemark movie theaters.  They have content from partners, such as Disney, with advertisements dispersed in between.  I am the sales coordinator for 2 sales reps, Julie and Mattie, and the office manager.  Julie is the "on-screen" rep, one of the reps in charge of selling the movie space, and Mattie is the "online" rep, who sells space on our portfolio of websites.  My job is to pull data, put together presentations, and fight fires for Julie and Mattie's clients.   The first week I was there, Julie pulled me aside and gave me a stack of movie tickets.  She told me that there was no reason I should ever have to pay to go to the movies.  Apparently after 90 days, I'll get a laminated card that will get me access to the theaters.  I also get to go to screenings of the movies, take clients to the movies, I know which movies are coming out....

This past week, I spent one morning in a movie theater in Burbank, and another morning in the Beverly Hills Hotel for an event about advertising in the movies.  The Beverly Hills Hotel is one of the most gorgeous hotels I've ever been in.  The chandeliers are exquisite...the one in the ballroom we were at was shaped like roses, crystal roses.  The chandelier in the lobby is shaped like feathers...they were serious pieces of artwork.  From what I understand, the bungalows at the Beverly Hills Hotel are where a lot of stars go to detox from their drug and alcohol issues...hmmmm.

The Entrance to the Hotel

The Feather Chandelier

The Rose Chandelier...my favorite

Otherwise, I started working on a show called Table Manners at Clyde Porter's West Valley Playhouse.  I'm not so sure how this is going to work out yet.  Rehearsals are Monday through Friday from 7pm until 11 or so.  Then I have an hour commute home.  So far, I'm exhausted...just need to see how that lasts once I get used to the new schedule and commute.  We open in 3 weeks...I'll keep you updated.

At this point, I'm looking to move up into the valley (where I work and where the theater is) in October.  My apartment complex is in a terrible area.  I live in the Rampart District near MacArthur Park.  The Rampart District is where movies such as Training Day and The Shield are based on. MacArthur Park is renowned for rampant gang activity, including that of the MS13 gang.  According to EveryBlock.com, in the last 30 days, there have been 9 cases of aggravated assault, 10 cases of violent robberies, 4 homicides since March 1st....the list goes on and on.  Last weekend, a woman got into my building and was screaming, pounding on the door of someone named Malcolm telling him that she was going to burn his clothes (with much more colorful language).  Point is, I just don't feel very safe here.  If I move into the valley, it will be more like the suburbs...but we'll see what actually ends up happening.  I have a few months to worry about it.

So that's what's happening so far...nothing else really.  I'm feeling much happier since I'm not worried about money or a terrible job anymore....I actually have hope which is so nice to feel again!