Goodbye, Los Angeles...

Today is officially my last day in Los Angeles. I got to meet a lot of people and the longer I stay, the more people I meet (Duh!). But the questions remains... Would I move to Los Angeles? When I ask my self that question, I hear the voices of those I have met echoing in thought bubbles around my head. If you want to be in the film business, this is the place to be...

Taking final photos before its too late...

The last few days I have thought about what steps I must take in order to advance my career. I've arrived to several practical conclusions.  I seem to be focused on 2 problems. I lack confidence in my work and I have gaps in my knowledge. And each issue feeds off the other. Phew, it feels good to admit!

So whether or not I can move to Los Angeles doesn't depend on how much I like this town, its people or its culture. It depends on practical opportunities. And right now, I don't see them here... It is clear to me, however, that before I consider moving here, I have to consider myself as a professional. And to reach that point, I have to make something I'm proud of. I'm tired of watching "Felafel Master" in front of new acquaintances and pretending to haven't seen it in a long time... (I have. I hate it. But this is what I have to show... *Cue Smile*)

That's Matisyahu in the Back... He Loves Xoho, too.

I've been spending my last days in LA with actual travelers. Its been kind of distracting... I feel like I have been placed in a cliche Euro movie with 2 giggly Germans with poor English. Shirley and Lena are backpacking around America and everything seems to be new to them. Foreign. But like me, they are low maintenance, cheap, and love the Reefer! So, basically, the last few days in LA have been... forgettable.

Thanks for giving me a bit of vacation ;-)

Oh! It was Kobi's Birthday this week! As I was sitting to dinner with a screen writer I had met at a party, something triggered Kobi's Birthday in my head. And needless to say, the staff was thrilled!!!

 

Tomorrow, I'm going back North. L.A. has been an experience that allowed me to learn a lot about not only what I do, but about who I am. I've met people who have made it and those who haven't. Those who gave up and those who will never stop trying. To make it here you have to die trying, a waiter at a party / aspiring actor tells me...   I put my self in the shoes of every person I met and saw my self embodied in their lives. And with all these parallel lives I am able to leave Los Angeles with an appreciation for what I have and what I don't... The good news is it only gets better from here.

Arts, Cops, and MoonShine

Last night was an experience I won't forget so quickly...

Hal and I met his new Couchsurfers - Lena and Shirley, 2 German girls on their 7th month of traveling the World. After quick introductions we started the evening.

Part 1: Dinner at Wokano

I really do try to live on a budget, but from time to time I need to let loose. We found our selves at an Asian restaurant serving most of everything. Although it was a classy joint, it seemed like our first dish was Dorritos with tuna. It looked nice, but we know that you have a bags of potato chips back there that you're selling to us for $15.

As this was the least interesting part of the night, I'll just show you some pictures.

Eel and Shrimp Sushi

Part 2: The Dangers of Art Walk

Once a month in Los Angeles, there is an Art Walk in downtown L.A. Our First stop was to the Hive Gallery. Actually one of the nicest galleries I have ever seen. They had all types of new styles, textures, patterns that I couldn't even imagine on my own. This was one of those places where you think to your self... Man, I wish I could do that...

We continued our walk towards 5th and Spring when all of a sudden a crowd gathered. I was excited to see what was hiding behind them. A street artist? juggling? snakes? And then I see it. About 35 Police officers stand two feet apart, armed with batons and riot gear. I turned to some guy next to me and ask him, "So, are they going to start dancing or something?"

LAPD - Regulating the Peace!

3 minutes later, the crowd around me started running from the cops...

That doesn't seem like the best approach...

Turns out the police have gathered due to an art protest called Chalk Walk. As part of the Occupy LA protest, a Facebook invite asked people to join the Art Crawl with chalk to write things such as "this is not illegal" and "Occupy L.A." Recognizing this as vandalism, the police arrested several of the activists. A small protest ignited and the LAPD quickly dispensed about 150 cops to deal with the "criminals." We left right before things got real messy. Right before the rubber bullets started hitting people who just came out to see some art. Helicopters flew above us with spot lights and all of the nearby squad cars rushed to the scene. The Police locked arms with one another and began walking towards the crowds. Art Walk was officially over.

The Police arrested 17 people that night. LA TIMES reports:

“Drawing with chalk on the ground is considered vandalism. They were drawing on privately owned buildings and sidewalks,” said Norma Eisenman, a spokeswoman for the LAPD. “It is a crime.”
- LA TIMES - 17 People Arrested During Artwalk Melee 

Along with this quote, you may have seen this comment on my Facebook wall:

"In response, 200 2nd and 3rd graders marched the playgrounds demanding the legitimacy of hopscotch!"

Part 3: Los Ange-lopes - The Casa

Hal told us we're going to a party, but he didn't say any more than that. We had no idea what to expect. But what I saw there was a culture I was totally unaware of. I mean the Punk community has always been in my peripheral, but I never got to see anything like this before. By the way, Have you ever heard of a Bike Co-Op?

We got out of the car and started walking towards this warehouse. I didn't hear any music, or lights, or any signs of a party. When we walked in, I saw a long table with about 20 people around it eating a huge feast. Around them were freak bikes of all shapes and sizes. Bike Melded onto other bikes, high bikes, hikes with car seats attached, miniature bikes, bikes with 4 wheels... If Freddy Kruger were a bike, this is where he would be born.

The place was amazing. No matter where you looked there were bikes, equipment, tools, art and life. This wasn't just a bike warehouse. This was a home. It seemed like 20 people must be living here. Each person there seemed to have no strings attached. The only thing they had was each other and thats all that seemed to matter.

When I walked into the kitchen I saw a bucket with a copper coil going through it. I had no idea what they were cooking but I was going to find out soon.  "So you going to have some MoonShine?" someone asked me. I said, "really? Moonshine? What's that even taste like?" "It tastes like fire," he replies with a grin.

I got to choose from the flavors and managed to get through 2 shots. It was actually pretty smooth and... and I felt... well... I felt GREAT! I knew I shouldn't take another or we would have to leave early. But unfortunately for all of us, one of our girls got sick, and we had to leave the party early...

I got to see a great side of L.A. that night. I saw the Arts, the good, the rough, the gross, the creative, the dangerous, the weak and the strong...   I got to see more that night, then I had seen in years... Thank GOD I remember it all ;-)

Korean BBQ - Nice to "meat" you! (Thanks for the pun, dad!)

You should have seen Hal's face when I told him I've never been to a Korean BBQ before. It was the same face he would probably get if he found out that the 3rd Reich has returned to power! He couldn't understand how a 26 year old man can miss out on one of the most exceptional culinary experiences known to the human race. And Hal wasn't alone. It seems to me that almost every person I talk to about Korean BBQ looks at me as a caveman, living in the shadows since the day I was born, for not trying the All-you-can-eat experience. A time and date was decided before I could even say, "What's Kimchi?"

The District BBQ & Lounge

On July 10th, I went down with Hal and his friend Barney to "The District" in the artist district of Los Angeles. As we sat down at our table, our waiter began to place little plates of sides around the grill in the middle of the table. "Guys, I'm only going to say this once," I said full of excitement of the meal ahead, "don't fill up on the salad!"

Our first dish, Brisket! The guy comes over and just spills a pile of raw meat in the center of the table. Like so...

Simple and delicious!

Next up - Rib Eye. My Mouth is getting watery as I type...

Mushrooms and Onions are added to the mix

Meet Hal.  He looks sad but he might just be loading...

At this point Barney asks me if I think this could work in Israel. And as I'm sure every Israeli would respond, without extra thought I replied, "No!" We have all thought about the idea of opening an All you can eat in Israel. I explain that the idea of all-you-can-eat in Israel just doesn't fit the Israeli culture. Each person finding a way to get the most out of their meal. "No sir, you can't have a Doggy bag..." "I thought you said you were just sitting with them, why do you have a plate full of food in front of you?!" Even the idea of free refill, a standard in America, was shut down quickly in "Subway" on Ben Yehuda.     Is Papagayo still in business???

Anyway, we all agree on skipping Tongue, and move on to what I'm really excited for... Pork Belly!

An important lesson in life. Pork Belly is Bacon, Bacon is Pork Belly.

Small tip - The crispier, the better

Bring on the Spicy Pork!

(Heavy breathing) That's it...  No more... I thought I could... But no more... That was awesome! At $20 a person, I ate like a king and had a great night. But no more...

Unfortunately, I kinda feel like this now...

 gamsahabnida, Korean... gamsahabnida!

Working Forward

My search for work in Los Angeles has been pretty hard. I've basically have no results to show for my work... I realized that in order to make it in this city, you really have to have some strong connections - an IN. And to make those connections you have to BE all of the following three things: smiley, professional, and flirtatious. I find that the hardest part of looking for work in the U.S. is that fear of commitment. How could I work for a company in a place so far away from my family, friends, and home? Could I make a new home somewhere else? Would it ever feel like home? Or even A home?

I arrived to Los Angeles with a pile of connections - those who I have personally met and those I was told to contact. Many of these people ignored my initial and follow up emails, but some did in fact find time to reply. In the two weeks I have been here, I've sat down with an enormous amount of professionals: producers, camera people, TV developers, actors, talent agents, graphic designers, animators, illustrators, editors, photographers, screen writers, directors, musicians, and then... some more actors! All of which seemed pretty happy to meet me. Although this sounds nice in a little list, as far as helping my career, nothing means nothing until something becomes something.

But I think Something - (dramatic pause) - is forming.

Hal (One of my CouchSurfing Hosts) invited me to a game of Poker with a bunch of his friends from around town. We ate fancy Pizza and played with even fancier poker chips. It was a pretty great night. But it wasn't great because of the cute, punk girl I got to meet, or the domination of the poker table leaving me with $14 in winnings! The night was great because Hal offered me a job. With my eyes wide open, I accepted!

I arrived to his house the next day at 11AM. Hal asked me to begin organizing his website archive. What Hal does is sell Time-lapses of city skylines and country sides. He has been traveling the world for the last 2 years and has created an archive of about 300 different Time Lapses from all over the place.

The way this works is quite simple. After setting up a satisfying frame, Hal sets a timer to take a photo every 3-4 seconds for two and a half hours. After making them into a movie and adding some fancy post-work, it looks something like these pictures below. Its pretty amazing to me how much work went into these considering that his archive must include (1 picture every 4 seconds for 2 1\2 hours... that's approx. 2,250 photos a time-lapse. Then you have 300 of those... so......) 675,000 photos! That's all in high quality, and must take up a few Terrabytes! Wow, I'm impressed...

Therefore I decided to extend my time in LA so that I could spend more time with Hal and learn as much as I can from him. .. Besides working with Hal, I've had a few other opportunities that I'm watching grow...  I joined an animator in the efforts to create a daytime cartoon. I wrote down a short story, he liked it, and wants to try and develop some projects together. Bsides that, I also have a few interviews for a post production company here and in New York that might turn out to be interesting. Also, I am hopefully editing a clip for Annalynn Maccord for a fund raiser this September. And who knows what else I'll find...

But Nothing means Nothing until Something becomes Something...   


Either way, one of the most important things I can pass on from this blog to people trying to learn from my experience in LA is that if you're falling behind... Networking is key.    ;-)    So, no matter who you meet, always treat them like the most important person to your career.

An Evening in the HollyWood Hills

The Viper Room

"That right there, that's Johnny Depp's bar. River Phoenix died right there on the side walk," Paul said pointing at the Viper Room. "And over there, that's the Whiskey A Go Go. That's where Jim Morrison got kicked off stage," he continued to let out all these moments in Pop History that I've only heard about from films and books. When did fantasy become reality? Our whole lives we hear of these "Idols" and their stories, but never have I ever thought of the tangibility of the whole thing. But Here it is... Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood. "How am I doing?" Paul asks me. "Great, I wasn't expecting a tour." Truth is... I wasn't expecting any of this.

I came to Los Angeles in order to see for my self what life was like in this make-believe city. A city so far away from what makes me, me... Its streets and buildings never had any meaning... until now. I've met a lot of people who advised me on this and that, but the most important lesson of all was that nothing matters until it happens. This is the city of broken promises - making the fall so much further from the ground. This city is about saying Yes! to everything. Everyone is your friend, but you only care about your self. Saying yes doesn't mean yes... It means talk to me later if you're serious. Its important not to put all your eggs in one basket, but remember to treat each egg with the care it deserves. You wouldn't want one to break all over you...

We arrive to the valet at Matt's building. Matt is a producer and is having a few people over to celebrate Bo's Birthday - a known talent agent. And the guests?

• Elizabeth - Professional screen writer
• Kim - Interior designer (She designed the Soho House - One of the most well known exclusive clubs in Hollywood)
• Chase Jordan - a local band made of Chase, Chase, and Jordan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4DemOb9TYs&feature=relmfu)
• Danny - Just came back from playing a role in "People of Interest" - an upcoming new show.
• Britney - a 23 year-old model
• Vanessa - An actress whose new to the scene

Those are the ones I remember...

I remember speaking to one of the Chases and it was pretty nice to hear his thoughts on Hollywood. To make a long conversation short, Chase said...

"As artists, we have a great responsibility. We are all in this business to make an impact. This city is filled with people that are out to make money. But that's bull shit, we need more people like YOU, that are out here to make a global change and understand the truth behind why we do what we do..."

He was a smart guy and we talked about the Middle East and the Hollywood mind set, and I was surprised to meet so many people who are layered and aren't just about making movies or music. We were talking about real issues and, apparently, these issues matter here too.

"Do you want to come with us to the Pink Taco?" Kim asks me. "I can't. I'm in Paul's entourage tonight..." And just like that they went out for Tacos and Paul and I continued deeper into the Hollywood Hills. We pass Chateau Marmont, one of the most famous hotels in Hollywood, on our way to Christine Forsyth-Peters's house ('How to lose a guy in 10 days'). A woman in a Tuxedo and a pink bow-tie open's my door and welcomes us. They valet the car and Paul and I walk into the house. We're celebrating Christine's daughter's 21st birthday (I found out later that her Godmother is Barbara Streisand).  The house is set on the side of the mountain with a perfect view of Los Angeles beside her private pool. In the corner there is a small bar, where a small latino man was making sure every person at the party was holding a drink... Needless to say, I was drunk!

Jon Peter's ('Rain man', 'Batman Returns', 'Clue') was on the other side of the yard talking to two aspiring, early 20s, wanna-be-actresses. On this side, there were bands and actors from shit I've never heard of, but they all look like Rock stars. Gelled hair, fancy cloths, this-party-is-beneath-me sort of look... But once I said hello and introduced my self, they always turned out to be knowledgeable and nice.

I made sure people heard my name and repeated it several times. Oy, the tactics of a man with no buisness card. "Its Alon. Alon. Alon. My name is Alon. Its like Allan, but with an accent. Alon. Try it... Alon!"  I'd like to see them forget that name! Paul left the party leaving me to share a cab with Vanessa back to Downtown, where the newcomers are usually from. I made sure to say goodbye to Christine before I left and she told me she'll be in touch with me and she'll see how she can help my career move forward. And as I said earlier, no matter what she says, ALWAYS SAY YES!      Who knows maybe she'll actually remember my name in the morning?

I get into the cab with Vanessa and I go forward with my sloppy, drunken moves on her...  And in the heat of the moment she says to me that she's scared for me... "You have to be careful who you get involved with in this city. People here are not always who they seem to be. Trust me, I know..." She stepped out of the cab and I had those words repeating in my head. And all I could think was... "Shit! She could have at least put-out a bit!"   ;-)

Good Night L.A. Thanks for the night out!