TCAs

On Wednesday I worked the TCAs, or Television Critics Association press tour. It’s basically a big convention where all of the cable networks get together and preview a few shows that they will be premiering in the fall. After they premiere it, there’s a press conference with the network execs, the producers of the show, and any talent that they use. MTV was premiering two shows, one called “Gone Too Far”, and one called “The Buried Life.” Gone Too Far is basically like the show “Intervention,” only with younger drug addicts, which is kind of scary, and hosted by world renowned celebrity DJ and former drug addict, DJ A.M. The Buried Life is a show that asks the question “What do you want to do before you die?” The show follows four guys around the nation as they cross things off of their list of 100 things they want to do, as well as helping strangers achieve some of their dreams. They have been doing this for the last four years, and since one of the things on their list was “getting our own TV show,” it all falls in line with what they’re trying to do. Surprisingly, both shows are really good and I think they both do very well, since each of them carry a positive message.

ANYWAY. The TCAs were in Pasadena, which is about an hour from where I live. I had to be there at 7:30 in the morning, and since I don’t have a car out here with me, MTV sent one, which was really nice of them. So I woke up at 5:30am and the car came at 6:15. I was expecting just a normal Lincoln town car, the kind that everyone gets driven around in, but when I walked outside, the driver was opening the door of a brand new black Mercedes Benz. He also had a legit British accent. The whole thing was just entirely too much for me to handle at 6 in the morning. So I called my mom on the way there. It’s times like these when I just can’t take myself seriously.

I arrived at The Langham Hotel, formerly the Ritz Carlton, a little early, so the other interns and I grabbed coffee before the craziness began. And then, the craziness began. There were three of us interns there, and two of them were told to go with The Buried Life crew, and I was told to go with the Gone Too Far people because they had less help, and were going to be doing more stuff, and my boss wanted me to essentially manage it all, which I was excited and scared shitless about doing. I was happy about working Gone Too Far, I actually wanted to work with that show more than the other one anyway, I was kind of into the subject matter (Rehab. Go figure.). The presentation and press conference was at 9am, so up until then, I was running around the hotel getting press releases in order and confirming interview times with the media and a bunch of other stuff. The presentation couldn’t have gone better, the press really seemed to be intrigued by MTV choosing to do such a graphic and non-glamorous show, and they had a lot of great questions to ask.

After the that, while The Buried Life was presenting, I took DJ A.M. to his one on one interview with AP, and then to a photo shoot in a different part of the hotel. I was working with celebrity photographer Frank Micelotta. Words can’t describe how incredible he is. He has photographed everyone. Absolutely everyone. Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and yes, even Britney Spears. Oh my god. It was crazy to be on one of his shoots.


Things all happened so fast that I keep forgetting that I bumped into JOAN RIVERS amid the craziness. Cartoon. My life is a cartoon.

After the shoot, it was basically a revolving door of reporters from all different media outlets, one right after another. It was cool to see DJ A.M. do so many interviews all in a row, and to see the different questions he was getting asked. Amidst all of this, my BlackBerry kept blowing up with all of these other tasks that needed to get done, without me leaving the shoot. One of the most valuable things I’m learning this summer is how to actually be in two places at once. Now that’s something they don’t teach you at Monmouth College.

After all of that, the work was done and the entire press department had lunch at the hotel. The whole day was over as quickly as it had begun. I’m very happy to report that it all went off without a hitch, and everything worked seamlessly. I realized that not once throughout the whole day did I have one of those “oh shit” moments, which is really saying something seeing as how crazy the event was.

Below are some photos I was able to sneak throughout the day

The MTV Presentation Set.

Sick, right?

DJ A.M. & The Gone Too Far Panel (blurry, I know)

DJ A.M. Press Photo Shoot

and seriously, check out this photographer:

http://www.frankmicelotta.com/#/client/template.xml?aaa=home&bbb=

"I can't pay the rent, but I'm fucking gorgeous..."

So as soon as I got out to LA this summer, I got really into this band called Semi Precious Weapons. They've got a pretty glam-rock sound and are really really ridiculous, and they know it. They're fun to listen to, and as I found out on Friday, even more fun to see live.

They were playing at The Viper Room on Sunset Blvd, which is pretty historic rock & roll venue in the middle of Hollywood, kind of LA's version of the late CBGB. We got there around 9pm, right before the first band The Shakers took the stage. The place is smaller than I ever imagined, basically the size of a normal classroom, tiny, with a stage in the corner. It was super dark on the inside, and had no air conditioning (in Southern California in the middle of July) but all of that just added to it's character.

The Shakers started to play and turned out to be great. It was almost 10, at which point I started drinking like I was on a mission from god. PBRs in a seedy rock joint? Absolutely. Between bands, a drag queen named Coco (I shit you not) came up and started talking to my friend A.J. and myself. Dressed in a sort of goth-tutu sort of thing, tranny boots, a top hat, and a huge fold-up Japanese fan, she was a sight to behold. She looked a bit confused as to how she stumbled into The Viper Room, or who exactly she was there to see, but she was great to talk too. Plus, she kept fanning us as we talked to her, which was nice since the place was filling up and getting hotter. A good drag queen can come in handy if you play your cards right.
Then the second band, Ultra Violet Sound, took the stage. I decided to find my way to the bathroom, at which point I bumped right into my arch nemesis/guilty pleasure, the worlds biggest gossip blogger Perez Hilton. He smiled at me, and I opened my mouth to say something, but everything that was on it's way out was either too mean or too drunk, so I just pushed passed him instead.

When I got back from the bathroom, Semi Precious Weapons was about to take the stage, so we fought our way to the front and prepared ourselves. From the second they started their set, it was a non-stop, high energy, killer show. I was so impressed with their performance. Most bands like that who have such a 'look' to them usually are pretentious douche bags live because they're so into themselves and forget they're actually there to play music. Not these guys. They got the crowd in on every song, kept up the intensity the entire show, and at one point, even brought out bottles of champagne and showered the whole audience. I was front row, I was soaked.

We met them after the show and they were really great guys, which made the whole experience even cooler. We ended up talking to Perez for a while to, which made my skin crawl, but was still pretty funny. We ended up getting a picture with him too. When in Rome.

Justin, the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons

Daniel, the drummer

Perez


I start MTV five days a week this week, which I'm really excited about. I'm working the TCAs (television critics association convention) in Pasadena on Wednesday, which I'm really stoked about. This summer is kicking ass.

Paris, Not France.

The Paris premiere was nuts. It was a total madhouse and I loved every second of it. Here's a rundown of it all:

I got to the MTV offices at 9am, and right off the bat, we were working on the press release, media alert, and finalizing the FOUR guest lists for the evening. And I had to mail a package to South Korea, but that's beside the point. So, it was a very busy morning. After a quick lunch with the other interns, we headed to the theater. We made it there at about three o'clock, and the premiere didn't start until seven. I thought there wasn't going to be a lot for us to do, but surprisingly we stayed pretty busy. We set up the press check in and VIP check in, and then had to rope off seats in the audience for the special guests coming that evening. The guests came from the four different guest lists, they were for Paris and the entire Hilton camp, Adria Petty (the director of the film) and her people, ISH Entertainment (the production company we partnered with to make the documentary) and MTV. We also had to leave some space for press that were attending, and of course, the “casted audience.” The term casted audience is basically a nice way of saying “If you're hot, you can see the movie, if you're fug, forget about it.” So there was about three hundred die hard Paris fans there as well. We had to be careful about where we placed certain people, and who we placed next to who. The whole thing was kind of like a word problem: “If you place two hundred entertainment industry assholes from four different categories into one theater, how likely would it be for a cat fight to break out before the end of the one hour film?” Hilarious.

Three of the interns were doing check in, and myself and my friend Lauren were doing celebrity escorts. By the time we had everything in order, press were checking in, and the paparazzi were already lining up. Before I knew it, it was seven o'clock, and Adria had already hit the red carpet. She took her mom as her date, how cute! Within fifteen minutes, the theater was flooded with directors, producers, club owners, and socialites. It was my job to seat them all, and they were all surprisingly nice. When Nikki Hilton came off the carpet (looking absolutely stunning, best dressed of the night for sure) I was explicitly instructed “stay with her.” So I did. She started getting mobbed by fans, and her publicist was casually asking them to step away and saying she wasn't doing pictures that evening. The fans weren't listening to him, at all, and while she was being kind to all of the fans and was taking it all in stride, she looked visibly uncomfortable. So I stepped in and said “GUYS, SHE'S NOT DOING PICTURES, YOU HAVE GOT TO BACK UP IMMEDIATELY.” I don't know when I went from intern to Nikki Hilton's handler, but I sure did. I eventually got her seated in the Hilton section, and she was nothing but gracious, so that was nice.

Sometime after this, we had to sneak Tom Petty in the back. No, seriously. His daughter was the director, and he wanted to come and see the film, but didn't want to be photographed on the Paris Hilton red carpet, go figure.

Next came one of my favorite parts of the night. Paris Hilton's “crisis manager” Elliot. Picture this: Sixty-five years old, four foot three, bright orange skin, and botoxed beyond all recognition. I mean, this man had deadened all of the nerves in his face so much that he wouldn't be able to show emotion if his life depended on it. He was quite effeminate in his perfectly white Versace suit that fit to a tee, and a Rolex that was covered in diamonds and weighed as much as he did. The man, as you can tell, is a complete character. When told that the concession stands were handing out free soda and popcorn, he responded “Well I'd really love a glass of white wine.” Girlfriend, wouldn't we all.

Next were members of the Paris entourage, and some people from BFF. All complete hot messes.

After seating Elliot and the hot mess parade, I stumbled back out onto the red carpet, and oh look, there was Paris. Dressed in a metallic silver Roberto Cavalli flapper dress, five inch heels covered in rhinestones, and dripping in diamonds. You'd think with having so much money, she wouldn't be so damn tacky. I guess it's true what they say, you can't buy class. As soon as she was off the carpet, we told everyone that they needed to take a seat. We escorted Paris to the front of the theater with Adria, who both said a few words and then they screened the documentary.

After, both Paris and Adria handled some Q&A, and then I had to walk Paris upstairs to do some one-on-ones with MTV News, E! News, and a few others. Here's where things got ugly. As I was escorting her down the isle to the back of the theater, a guy probably about my age, but much...bigger, got out of his seat and started clamoring over people in order to get Paris. In my head, I was like “UUUUUUMMMM...”, but was sure that security would handle it. Well, I thought wrong. This guy and his friend made it to her and started grabbing at her and asking for pictures and trying to kiss her and everything. Honestly, it was all kind of scary. Her manager and publicist stood back and sort of scolded the guy, but he was still being kind of aggressive, so, again, enter me. I literally had to strong-arm this guy off of her. Seriously, my waif ass up against this beefcake stalker, kind of intimidating, but I was too adrenalined out to really think about anything else but getting him off of Paris. After I got him to back off, security (of course they show up then) got him back in his seat. After that whole ordeal, I walked her up the stairs, I turned to her and said “I am sooo sorry about that.” and you know, as much as I would love to say Paris Hilton was a huge conceited bitch to me, I can't. She stopped, looked me straight in the eye and said “It's ok, it happens all the time. I'm sort of used to it I guess.” She smiled and told me I was doing a great job and thanked me. Ugh. Right? I hate to admit that she was kind, but I suppose I have to get credit where credit is due.

After her one-on-ones, at about ten o'clock at night, we finally got to leave. After a long day, no meals, being on my feet all day, and tweaking out on caffeine, it was great to be able to just go home and chill out.

The whole experience was incredible. It was so fast paced and intense, and I really learned so so much. So unreal.

I'm in a really good place right now. Last night after this all was said and done, my brother Mike told me that he was proud of me. I think that is the most meaningful thing I've heard all summer.

So, I'm seeing this band called Semi Precious Weapons in concert tomorrow night at The Viper Room. I'm so stoked. Here's a sample:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXeoDKMBjs0&feature=fvw
(I can't embed it this time, but you need to check that out)

Good feelings.

L.A.tely

Things are picking up speed and I'm loving every second of it. Everything is getting really fast paced around the Press office, and I'm constantly on my feet doing one thing or another. The VMA buzz has started to take off. It's really exciting since VMAs have always been my favorite award show, and now I have a hand in how it's all coming together. Who'd have thought?

So the LA press screening of the Paris Hilton Documentary “Paris, Not France” is tomorrow, and I'm working it. I'm really excited because events on that kind of a scale are always a great learning experience. And I mean, it's a Paris premiere, it's bound to be a total shitshow. Fabulous.

Here's the trailer.



Forget Paris, the documentary itself is actually a pretty interesting look at America and it's obsession with celebrity.

I can't believe it's already the 21st of July! That's so weird. It's also one of my best friend's birthdays. Happy birthday Kassi! I wish I could be there to celebrate (read: drink) with you, but I have a feeling I'll be doing some heavy drinking in the near future to try to forget all things Paris.

Things are great. I miss you.

Mermaid mosiac in Marina Del Rey

Baby, you gotta bleed to heal...

I've decided that to keep my sanity while out here in L.A. this summer, I need to lose my damn mind about once a week. And I do. And it works.

The singer on my favorite band, The Rocket Summer, twittered this today, and for some reason, it really chilled me out: "For those yearning for movement in your lives, know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Accept peace in that and rest..."

I'm having the time of my life this summer and I'm excited for, well, a lot of stuff that's on the way.



Also, I can't stop listening to this version of Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say). For some reason I think the beat box in the background makes the whole thing really cute.

So call me California, call me what you will...

These lyrics have been it for me lately...





hmmm...

faces of us

I usually find myself somewhere between being an asshole and an activist. I suppose this makes me closer to the latter.

A friend of mine started this photo campaign and I think it's a really brilliant idea. It really took off, but it could always use more entries. Check it out, I've already got a few of my friends on there, and I'd love to see your pretty face there too.

I'll let it speak for itself.

http://www.thefacesofus.com/

I can't stop listening to Aquarius by Regina Spektor.

Friday Night.

Orange Pants: 45 dollars.

Five vodka pineapples: 28 dollars.

Drunkenly starting a fight with four Australians after they insult your friends: Priceless.

There are some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's Tynan in Hollywood.

What can I say, I'm skinny but I'm scrappy.

Lately in LA...

I wasn't planning on writing these updates this summer, I really wasn't, but so many of you people have been on my ass to do it, I figured I might as well.

Uuummmm LA is awesome. I can't believe it's already almost the middle of July. When did that happen? This summer is going scary fast.

Ok where do I start.

I flew out June first and it was a really surreal feeling to be back. I had worked my ass of the entire school year to get back to LA for the summer, and I had finally made it. It took a minute to really sink in that I had finally made it back to the west coast and would be here for the entire summer. Crazy. So a friend of mine I met out here last summer found me a place to live, rent free, in a swank ass neighborhood. I live with an older lady, her granddaughter from England, a Latvian maid, and a chinese water dog. My life is a cartoon. The house is beautiful in a very nice part of west LA. I live next right next door to Sam Raimi director of the Spiderman movies and this summers horror flick “Drag Me To Hell”. Also, designer and mega-brander Ron Herman lives on the other side of me and every time I see him I want to run up to him and be like “OMG I wear your sweatpants every time I'm hungover!” I digress. Rob Reiner, the director of “Stand By Me,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “This Is Spinal Tap” lives across the street. Crazy.

MTV is phenomenal. This time around, I'm interning for the Press department, which is amazing. It's really good to be back there. I've become really great friends with the other kids I'm interning with, they're awesome. I really love working with them, they make the day so hilarious. If you want to know what I do, there's not really a typical day, but we do a lot of monitoring MTV talent in the media, pitching stories, putting together press hit-lists, stuff like that. And sometimes a little damage control is necessary, involving anyone with the last name 'Pratt'. Last weekend, we worked the LA Film Festival premiere of the MTV/Dickhouse documentary “The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia” which was unbelievable. There's really no words to describe what this movie is like, you really just have to see it for yourself (which I encourage all of you to. Trust me.). Anyway, Johnny Knoxville, John C. Reilly, and some of the Whites were all in attendance. We also bumped into Adrian Grenier from Entourage that night too. Celebrities aside, the whole thing was a really great learning experience, since I had never done anything like that, on that sort of scale before. I think that's what I'm most stoked about this summer: I'm learning. Things are really starting to pick up in preparation for the VMAs, so we're getting busy and it's all very exciting. Today, I talked to the a handful of the biggest gossip bloggers on the internet, which was pretty crazy, ha.

It's weird, the way things worked out last summer, I got hired for the internship less than two weeks before I needed to be out here. So with all of the preparations I had to go through in order to move my life across the country in so little time, there was barely any time to actually think about the huge step I was taking. Suddenly I found myself alone in the middle of Los Angeles, not knowing the area or anyone in it and I basically had to hit the ground running. This year is so different. I'm very familiar with the city, and already have a little base of friends out here, so it's been way more chill than before. I feel like I've got a much better grasp on things and can just take it a little easier. I've got a second job, but I'm not working as much as I was before (18 hour days? No thank you.) so I've got more time to go out and have a little fun. I think I've freaked out my professor and good friend Susan Van Kirk because last summer I talked to her almost every day, and this summer...ok well I've still talked to about every day, but the conversations are filled with much less anxiety and caps lock.

Well, that's basically the jist of it. What else? I love Los Angeles. I've had about enough of Hollywood obsessed douche bags, seriously, if I hear the phrase “VIP” one more fucking time, I'm going to stab someone. Like, it's LA, everyone is VIP, so no one is VIP. Make sense? Suck it. I'm still very much addicted to Pinkberry. I'm in no rush to get back to school, but when I do, I'm very excited to write more music with Matt, get the poetry troupe back up and running, start shooting the documentary, and a bunch of other stuff. But for NOW, I'm having the most kick ass summer.

How are you?

Remember Who You Are

Things are really taking off at MTV. I've got some big news coming down the pike pretty soon here. I'm in a really great place right now, and I'm learning non-stop. I love summer.



Check out "Eet" by Regina Spektor.

Summer Jamz.

Summer always has a soundtrack. This is mine, so far anyway. Some of it's great, some of it's typical, some of it's totally unnecessary. But it's all summer.

Pistol – Dustin Kensrue
Ain't No Rest For The Wicked – Cage The Elephant
Twilight – Thriving Ivory (actually, anything by Thriving Ivory)
She's a Genius – Jet
Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
Don't Believe A Word – Third Eye Blind
Belief – Gavin Degraw
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
Good Girls Go Bad – Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester
Kelsey – Metro Station
Chillin' – Wale feat. Lady Gaga
Best I Ever Had – Drake

500 Days of Summer

I saw the trailer for this movie at the beginning of February, and since then it has been my most anticipated movie of the year (BESIDES Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, obviously). It finally comes out next Friday, July 17th. I really can't wait, I don't know WHY, there's just something about it that is getting me really excited.



"Sweet Disposition" - The Temper Trap

Wagon Wheel

One of my good friends (and band mate!) Matt Bentley introduced me to Old Crow Medicine Show, and their song "Wagon Wheel." For about three months now, I have been completely obsessed with this song. It's beginning to be an issue.

Why Can't You Be?

Are you frightened by the weight you possess or,
is this life just weightlessness
and smoggy twilight in LA?
I can't think of one real thing to say.
And Robbie Williams is walking in the canyons,
forgets that we were friends,
I guess it all depends on your mood...

-Third Eye Blind

That about sums it up lately.

Scattered.