This is topic Coming to California soon in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-29-2002, 06:39 AM:
Yes, I will be travelling to California soon. The exact dates are not clear yet, but I will be there between 11/8 and 11/20, maybe a few days longer. My plan is to start in San Diego, then work my way up to San Francisco to visit some friends. I would also like to meet any of the nice people on this forum who happen to be somewhere in that area and would appreciate tips and contacts about what to see and what to do.
Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 10-29-2002, 09:22 AM:
You have to visit Ian Price. It's a must just to see the T -Shirt!
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-29-2002, 10:01 AM:
When in the San Francisco area get in touch and I will show you some of the theatres I service...-Aaron
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-29-2002, 10:18 AM:
Make an appointment to visit the Kodak ScreenCheck training team and Digital Cinema folks in Culver City CA (not far from LAX airport):
here And of course, visit the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood, home of the annual Academy Awards show:
here
here
(Right next to the original Chinese theatre, and also home to a new six-plex).
------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: here
Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-30-2002, 04:55 AM:
Which of the attractions in LA are really worth seeing? I am not a typical sightseeing kind of traveller, so I am not sure whether I will be taking the studio tours to see a plastic Jaws, what would you recommend?
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-30-2002, 10:59 AM:
The Hollywood & Highland area here that John P. mentioned is kind of interesting in a movie-nerd way. Kodak Theatre, Chinese Theatre, and El Capitan Theatre are all right there. Hollywood Walk of Fame of course. The Cinerama Dome is not too far from there. Also the Hollywood Bowl. The film studio tours are of no interest to me, but that's me.
Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-30-2002, 11:13 AM:
I am not so interested in typical tourist attractions either, my plan is to visit some people and maybe rent a car and drive around a little and explore. Often you meet interesting people or somebody points you to a place or attraction that you wouldn`t have thought of. So I don`t make so many plans but rather seek adventure in the unexpected. Can anyone tell me how much a night in a typical motel in CA would cost?
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-30-2002, 11:34 AM:
You sound like me: Go someplace new, rent a car, drive around, and see what happens. 
LA is so huge and sprawling that you could spend a week doing this and barely scratch the surface. If you're not in a big hurry, take Hwy. 101 as you drive north -- very scenic in parts. Or even better (and slower), Hwy. 1. Keep in mind that the major freeways can be very crowded and slow during the morning and afternoon rush hours.Expect to pay a minimum of $50 US for a decent motel, like Motel 6, here . If you're adventurous you might find some mom-and-pop motels for less.
Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-30-2002, 11:54 AM:
One of the best holidays I ever had was when I went to Vienna, Austria to visit a friend and ended up driving through half of western Europe on the way back. So beware, I might even materialise In Oregon!
The motel website says USD 37.99 for one night + tax. How much will the tax be?
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-30-2002, 11:59 AM:
Let me start by saying that I don't really like LA and haven't been there since the Technicolor fest at the Egyptian Theatre in 2000.As others have said, check out the Egyptian Theatre, Chinese Theatre (which, as of two and a half years ago, had the worst-sounding THX sytem I've ever heard, but looks really cool anyway), and the Cinerama Dome (now called Arclight). When I was there, the El Capitan was closed and the Kodak Theatre hadn't been built yet, but check those out as well.
Have lunch at a place called "In and Out Burger" (a local fast food chain).
If you have time, see if you can get a tour at a lab, optical house, or sound post facility.
Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 10-30-2002, 12:42 PM:
The "In and Out" burgers are very good for fast food. Very fast service too.
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-30-2002, 12:47 PM:
What is Calif. sales tax now, 8% or 9%? Expect that on everything. Lodging will have additional room tax. So a $37.99 room could be close to $50. Figure ~$1.50/gallon for gasoline too.If you make it to Oregon, particularly Eugene, I'd like to say there's something film-related to see here that's really cool, but I'd be lying. That coast drive really is beautiful though.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-30-2002, 02:34 PM:
One of the Studio Tours is worth a day:
here Universal Studios
here Paramount Studios
here (NBC Studios Burbank)
here Hollywood Area Information
here Los Angeles Information
here (Tickets to Filming of TV Shows)------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: here
Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 10-30-2002, 06:29 PM:
I agree with Scott and Jason's opinion on "IN-N-OUT" resturaunts. It's a MANDITORY part of the CA experience. Get a #1 double-double meal with lemonaid. (I think this is the third time i've plugged in-n-out in the forums!!)If your in San Diego, I work out at the Regal/Edwards Rancho San Diego 15, and work most fridays, saturdays and wensdays. Other theatres worth checking out are:
San Diego
Regal/Edwards Mira Mesa 18 <--highest rated in san diego in a recent online poll
Regal/Edwards Rancho San Diego 15 <--visit me!!
Madstone San Diego <-- forign and independant films
avoid the ubiquitous AMC's scattered everywhere. Many are not great.
L.A./Orange County
Regal/Edwards BIG Newport <--Huge auditorium
Regal/Edwards Irvine Spectrum <--the first Edwards Megaplex. Includes "Giant Screen"
San Francisco
Loews Metrion <-- nice all THX theatre, part of a huge sony center
If you must visit an AMC, check out the Van Ness 1000. Its has a real interesting layout, because its built inside of an old, narrow, office building. There are many levels, with only a few screens on each level.
Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 10-30-2002, 08:49 PM:
Take it from this LA native, Scott must've missed the nice parts of LA for there are many. Unfortunately, Hollywood as it is today is not one of them--the new Hollywood & Highland complex not withstanding. But there are lots of nice surrounding areas, like the canyon communities immediately above (including Laurel Canyon, my childhood home).The SMPTE Hollywood Section is having their monthly meeting here (a demo and discussion of Super 35 vs. Anamorphic) on the 12th at the Gene Autry Museum in Griffith Park next to the LA Zoo (not far from Hollywood). The meeting is open to everyone so come on in. Unfortunately I won't be there as I currently live about 300 miles to the northeast (unless I get dragged in to run projection as has happened in the past).
LA is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US. Check out the home of the largest Japanese community on the US mainland in downtown LA's Little Tokyo. Chinatown and Olvera Street (the site of the original Pueblo de Los Angeles) are within walking distance, as is City Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion (LA Philharmonic Orchestra), Walt Disney Concert Hall, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theater, and Union Station. To say nothing of the Museum of Contemporary Art and the vintage movie palaces of the Broadway district.
As for LA fast food, In & Out's OK, but you might as well do what can only be done in the LA area--Tommy Burgers (the original on Beverly and Rampart), Pink's Hotdogs (in the Melrose district on La Brea at Melrose), or Tito's Tacos (West LA below the Sawtelle district). Your arteries will recover eventually!
Of course take time to cruise some beach and canyon communities and see the best of the SoCal lifestyle.
Regards,
Paul
Soon to be back in SoCal myself
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 10-31-2002, 01:02 AM:
Check out Loews Metreon if you can. Ive never been there but it is the most attended theatre in our company.