Cross Cultural Reflection: Semester in Los Angeles

First of all I just want to strongly, and I mean strongly, recommend that anyone interested in film, writing, acting, or experiencing one of the most creative capitals of the world, needs to make their way out here to Los Angeles for a semester. I know it's hard to leave snowy little Harrisonburg, but the opportunity here is too ridiculous to pass up. I stay in an awesome apartment complex with 45 other students from all over the country in West Hollywood. We all have great internships working on studio lots like 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros, or with casting agents, or small producing companies.

Speakers from all different aspects of the industry come in to talk about what it's like being a Christian in Hollywood. People like Tony Hale from "Arrested Development" and many highly accredited feature film writers, producers, and musicians have held intense discussions with us on art and ethics. We also have classes where we have to produce short films, audition actors, scout locations, get releases. I'm in an amazing screenwriting class that is demanding a two-hour screenplay out of me by the end of the semester. In our production class we just formed production teams where we get a $1750 budget to make a short film. It's intense, but so cool to experience this all in a place like L.A.

It's wild here, because I have met so many people already in the industry and sometimes I get really intimidated by it all. I was on set for a show at the studio I work at the other day and I got to talk to both the director and the director of photography. Some major actors were standing a few feet away from me and so many people were looking at me, like who are you? At the same time, everyone was so nice, dropping filmmaking advice to me left and right. People here want to help you learn. The funny thing, though, is that people here are not used to genuine people. My school here has a good reputation with Hollywood companies simply because our interns show up on time and are respectful. Things like integrity, commitment, and good work ethic are rare gems that are noticed in a place like this.

This is the city where most of the world's most influential idols are created. The writers are telling stories that become movies that get shown all over the world. The stars set the tone for what the world thinks we should look like. The crazy thing is that these people are just like me and you. I was at the house of a studio's president one night, and just ended up hanging out with people who were high up in the industry. We talked about all kinds of things, including God and the funny thing is, that we are all so lost and searching and seeking no matter who we are. I already knew that, but living here has really internalized that for me. Whatever I hold as my highest king is what will determine who I will become. It doesn't matter what I say I serve, it's what I really, truly serve with the way I live and shape my life.

A lot of Christians have come into Hollywood and been rebuked by their home churches, friends or families. Let me tell you what, I have traveled to many hard places in the world, and being here has shown me a new and unique world of struggle, war and spiritual poverty. Imagine having all the money and fame in the world, and still waking up feeling like it isn't enough every day. Imagine all the Christian writers, actors, grips, and directors going to work and having a final message that will be heard or seen by millions of people. There's a lot of pressure, a lot of bad "Christian" stereotypes to break through, a lot of groundwork to conquer to even be heard of as an artist. Hollywood needs a lot of prayer and support, so remember the storytellers, and if you get a chance, experience the city with the largest world influence for yourself.