Maurice Champion - Urban Network (Los Angels) - Music Business - Wrapping Things Up Pt.2

A bitter sweet moment walking through LAX to catch my red eye flight back to Minnesota. I was happy to go back home to my bed but I was leaving California, the place I called home for three (3) months. I learned and experience so much living in LA. I learned a lot from the business stand point but I learned more on the personal level. While observing the buildings and beautiful life on my way to downtown St.Paul, I was just in shock realizing how much God has been good to me. Moving from Detroit to Minnesota to California in less than a year is a blessing for me. I am truly understand that I'm seeing these places for a reason. I am so focus on the things that I need to accomplish. I understand being focus is nothing without actually getting out to do the necessary work that you're focused on. My drive, will, and work ethics has increased after being in LA. I needed that duration of time spent in Cali to push me further to blaze my trail that I'm leading. So even though I wrapped things up in LA, I didn't tie the knot too tight to where I can't go back and untie the knot!

Evan Gundlach, music business, universal, twin cities

Well, I’m now a whole year older. It was my 21^st birthday on Wednesday so this week was a little busy for me, but I still got some time in at universal. On Monday I worked on the album tracking database and I found out we are actually really close to having that done. Some other people had been working on it also so we only have a little more history to put into and then all we have to do is keep updating it. Since it was my birthday on Wednesday they let me have the day off on Thursday so I didn’t end up going in. On Friday the new kids on the block were at the mall of America so a lot of people were out of the office on and we didn’t have a music meeting. I had to pick up my friend who was flying in from Colorado so I left a little early on Friday but I got a lot more titles into the database before I left. I think I'm going to take it pretty easy this weekend and rest up for another week at universal.

Jon Johnson - The Firm - Beverly Hills: New Phone

Wow, it's almost over. It's almost surreal to think of all the time I've spent working at The Firm. Quite a bit has happened over the past week, and I'll try and get into everything...

Over the last weekend I had lost my phone, and I was unable to find it during the week. This meant I couldn't make or receive any calls, making it a tough week to communicate with people. I was able to get a new phone on Friday night, (thank God) but there is one problem, I lost all of my numbers. So, I invite everyone to join my new facebook group, and post up their numbers. I will post that link soon.

For a good portion of the week (Mon - Thurs) I was covering a desk for the assistant to the President of the music division over at The Firm. That was by far my biggest challenge yet when it came to covering desks for others.

Now I have covered plenty of desks in the past, but nothing prepared me for the challenge of covering this particular desk. First off, this desk is insanely busy, calls just keep coming in, so you have to keep on your toes and be prepared. Secondly, this desk requires hours, at least 11 hours everyday. Oh, and you can't leave the desk. During this desk coverage, I ran into some situations that I believe could have compromised my status as an intern for The Firm, but thanks to the help of those around me, I was able to get through these situations just learning valuable lessons.

The intern wrap-up party on Wednesday was very enjoyable, I was able to thank those around me at The Firm who had helped me so much throughout my internship. I don't want to spend too much time on it though, because it seems like everyone else had covered it as well.

Later during the week I saw a couple of fellow interns take off. Moe, Munya, It was great to be able to hang out with the both of you. I hope that you both enjoyed your stays out here, and I can't wait to see you both back at McNally Smith.

Only a couple of weeks left, the 24th is approaching.....

Traci @ Key Club, LA-- Music Business: Wow... I'm behind...

Hey all!  

So, its been a while due to a variety of different things, mainly staying incredibly busy to the point where I really didn't realize that it has already been THREE weeks!  So here's how this is going to work:  This post will be from 2 weeks ago, then later tonight I will post from 1 week ago, and then tomorrow you will get updated on this past week... so a kind of final countdown to the end of the semester, if you will (and now I have that song in my head... "It's the final countdooooown...").

Monday, July 21:

Such a crazy and fun day at Key Club.  We were booked for two back-to-back events.  The first of which was a L'oreal Matrix Hair Show.  This actually required quite a bit of set up.   They had people in the club stuffing gift bags and placing product for testing all over the club while we rolled out the red carpets and set up tables, photo areas and candles (n

ot too close to the hair sprays, mind you.  We had to be very careful).  They also were having hosted food and beverage for about an hour as guests arrived before the big extravaganza o' hair!  The show was pretty interesting because they have a hair model sit while a "creative designer" performs his magic, all the while explaining what he is doing and how he prepped the model.  Pretty cool actually.  I picked up a few tricks.  Then after the show, it was another half hour of passed drinks and appetizers so people could mingle on their way out.  Then it was a chaotic half hour to transform the club from the hair show, into the normal Steel Panther night with a VIP JVC/Spin Magazine party in our Plush lounge for the launch of the Carstereoke contest that is going on right now.  That is the billboard we had up for the event and the product of the photoshoot on my very first day at Key Club.  You can also see it in this month's Spin Magazine along with an article.  

You know how people always say "Hard work pays off?"  Well believe them!  I offered to stay and help cocktail during the L'oreal show since we were slightly short-handed for that aspect, and then pitched in to aid in the turn-over, even though it was not expected.  Because of this, I was asked to stay for the JVC/Spin party and the show that night.  I met some great people, and got to spend a little non-work time with my mentors and had a chance to enjoy what we had worked so hard for that day.  

Tuesday, July 22

This was a slower day, used to catch up on work that would normally be done on Mondays, including my Jumbotron ads, a few phone calls, and research. I feel like there was something else that happened... but all I remember was being completely exhausted from the night before.  

Wednesday, July 23

We held a charity event called Rock for MS, hosted by MS Friends.  Set up for this was a little more low key since they brought out a lot of people to do most of the setting up.  We mainly just had to help with a few tables and flower arrangements and candles again.  It turned out beautifully.  

The event featured legendary Rock 'n' Roll photography and photographers and was a combination of silent auction, live auction, and DJs.  There were some incredibly recognizable pieces for silent auction in our Plush lounge, as well as the opportunity to meet some of the photographers, such as Jim Marshall.  Then, as I understand it, the DJ would play sets with live auctions in between.  It was so amazing to be in a room with some of the most famous Rock 'n' Roll pieces around, especially the candid shots, as if you were a part of their lives for that brief moment in time.  Very cool.

Thursday, July 24

Another quiet day at the office, returning to the normal pace of things.  Cleaning up a little from the previous days.  I was also getting a little anxious for my parents to visit again, however briefly, and they had started the drive that morning.  After work: SLEEP.

Friday, July 25

I researched some companies for some activities for a Bar Mitzvah we had coming up. Listened to a few demos.  I think I even finished up a little early and headed back to Culver just in time for my parents to get it.  

The rest of the weekend was a lot of fun, but packed trying to show them a few things they would enjoy, like the Rock Walk and cool Rock 'n' Roll art galleries on Sunset, Lunch at Mel's Diner, and, my favorite, Venice Beach and canals around sunset.  

Somewhere during this week, I also tried "Chile's" for the first time ever (I know, I can't believe I went to a chain when there are so many great places out here either, but it happened).  It was very yummy and I think I went back the next day too... It was at my transfer stop and I was hungry, ok?

Until later tonight!

Traci

Maurice Champion - Urban Network (Los Angels) - Music Business - Wrapping Things Up Pt.1

On Wednesday August 6, 2008, the place to be was The House of Blues in Hollywood. As one of the nine interns in California I attended with gratitude towards The Urban Network and most importantly Miller London. I arrived with Cole Hendricks and Munya to the famous House of Blues. I had the experience to visit the performance room with the stage and it was incredible from observing the antique wood to the classic photo's of world renowned rock stars. I made my way up some stairs greeting those who I knew and didn't know. There were tons of people in attendance from successful companies in the music industry. The party started off with some light mingling amongst your peers and others. Then we kicked the party off with presentations from the interns presenting a plaque to their mentor of the company. After expressing my words of gratitude I was shockingly surprised by the staff at The Urban Network with my own cover on The Urban Network Magazine. I was smiling so HARD receiving my plaque. I wish I had the photo's to show you guys but I'm sure you'll see them posted soon. After all the presentations were done. It was time to do some more networking. I was able to get some contacts to some people that cam open more doors for me and what I'm doing. This party was very very cool. I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere in the building. Everything went smoothly until I had to...........................TO BE CONTINUED


Stay tuned! Sunday @ 7:00 I Will Post Part 2 of "Wrapping Things Up"

At The End...Nick Garrison - AEMG - Los Angeles

My work for Alan Ett Music Group came to an end. It has been an amazing experience working for such a professional and established company.
I have soaked up so much information about aspects of music licensing, publishing, royalties, and so much more.
I'm really not sure what to say at this point. This has been a summer that has had a big impact on me and will definitely help shape my future.

I am really grateful for the opportunity I had in coming out here and all the doors that were opened. I have met some incredible people that I will be keeping in touch with as I head back north.

Take care,

Nick Garrison

ZIMBABWE TO LA, AN INTERNATIONAL INTERN STORY SO FAR pt 4

Hey guys

Well I have to say the last week has been quite eventful and a busy time for me, for we are getting to the end of this long journey here in LA.

Last week began with a sudden shake up to the city of LA with an earthquake happening at the beginning of the week. I was at work sitting on my desk when all of a sudden our room was shaking and moving side to side. I quickly went underneath the table and Maurice did the same as well, as our whole building was moving. This was just another crazy experience to be in, but to some a first time. To me this was just another adds, to my many earthquake experiences I have had in my lifetime but been in while since I have felt one and I must say it did give me a little shake up. Being in this earthquake reminded me of the days I was I lived in Japan, an about 13 years ago I experienced one of the most devastating earthquakes of all time in 1995 when an earthquake struck in Japan in the city of Kobe. Now this was a life and death situation but luckily at that time we had just moved to the city of Tokyo but the earth quake was so powerful that the after shock’s were able to reach Tokyo.

On Thursday we had a half day at work but returned to work later on that night at 9:00pm for an all night of working hard and pushing ourselves to reach certain goals that Warren wanted us to achieve by the end of the night or should I say beginning of the morning. Yet again this was quite an experience, but hard working as well, really hard. But a lot of work was done and to; all social networking sites, invites for the upcoming marketing entertainment summit it Houston Texas and packaging of magazines. We did it all, but at the same time it was fun and tiring too. We got done around 5am and It was back at the apartment for a little nap, and before you know it I was once again up at 8am and ready to get back in the office around 10am. We had to get in early to attend a meeting at noon at SESAC that day. So Tracey kindly gave us a ride to work that morning and we were in the office just in time to meet up with and Jayson another intern that interns with us from MI and Warren to head down to the SESAC offices in St Monica.

The reason for this meeting was for the marketing campaign that Maurice and I are involved, and we had to shoot some footage for the promo video that Maurice has been working on for most of the summer. Being at SESAC was an honor indeed; it just felt so great to be at this organization were songwriters and publishers license there songs and music. In addition of being there we were able to meet with the senior director, writer and publisher relations Mr. James Leach. It was such wonderful pleasures too meet and chat with Mr. Leach who’s has been with SESAC for many years and around the music industry for as well. The man had a few words to say about certain things we discussed and just before we left Mr. Leach gave us some really good words of encouragement and advice to Maurice and I. It was truly something to take in and hear these great words from him. After spending sometime at SESAC we headed back home and all I wanted to do was sleep the rest of the day.

This past weekend was my last weekend out here in LA and I wont lie I really wanted to make the most of it, and there’s no other place I’d rather be at than the beach on the last weekend. So a couple of friend’s of mine and I headed down to Manhattan Beach for the day to watch the huge Volleyball Tournament that was being held on the one side of the pier. The Beach was ridiculously packed with people and there was no chance of walking on the beach, but we made a plan and were able to park some were and watch the games being played. The day went on and turned into an eventful night of hanging out with random people that we met by the beach. On Sunday the day began early and getting prepared for Debbie’s arrival to the apartment. Debbie, Charley, Warren, Ashley and Israil all came by for a visit and hang out and to talk about our wrap up party on Wednesday night, on specific things we shall be expecting to happen. The afternoon went on very smoothly and relaxing, with hotdogs and salads and just socializing time. Later on that day around 5 Cole and I headed down to Venice Beach, for I hadn’t been there yet and there was no way that I was going to leave LA without seeing this place. Cole and I just took a walk down the side of the road to see various activities that people will be doing. The beach is very entertaining and full many cultures and tourists walking by and admiring the area. It was actually a good time to be at he Venice because at that point in time the sun was setting and we lucky to see it. I was told before I came to LA that you have to see the sunset at Venice beach for it’s the most incredible thing to see and it truly was.

Well the final week is finally here and it’s hard to believe it, but it’s true so much drama, action, love and laughter has happened out here in LA. For some its going to be hard to leave behind what they have created but not goodbye, but others its been a opening gate for new things in life, but I think to all of us its, defiantly been worth it. So I say this to all the other Interns congratulations!! On a job well done and make most of these last few days or weeks form some and make them count, for you only live once to tell a great story.

Munya