Capitol Records Building in Hollywood, California

A few visuals of the iconic Capitol Records Building in Hollywood, California.

 

A Vintage Trailer in the Middle of the Desert

Last summer, as principal photography on my documentary wrapped, I decided to escape to the desert for a few weeks to clear my head and get in some overdue road trip travel shoots. I found an eco-trailer for rent outside of Joshua Tree National Park in California and quickly recognized that it was exactly the kind of experience I was looking for. 

The trailer itself was a vintage Shasta kitted-out in a nostalgic western motif. It was permanently fitted in place with a deck, solar panels providing added shade, and a recycled water system. In addition to its proximity to the national park, what really made the trailer a standout was how secluded it was. It was close enough to civilization for a grocery run, but far enough out that I felt no shame about taking a cowboy bath on the deck each night while watching the sun go down.

It was so secluded, in fact, I was woken up one night by coyotes passing through and then howling right from the stoop next to the deck. It was all pretty surreal, to be honest; the solitude, the heat, and the stark views made it easy to clear my head. The aesthetic was like something out of a movie to begin with, which I think just played into the desert narrative I was inventing through the shoots I was busy with during the days. 

Frankly, there's a lot to appreciate about old school simplicity.

Funko Hollywood Store in Los Angeles, California

The Funko store along Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California is a well-themed mix of exclusive Funko products, exhibits, and photo-ops. In addition to the seemingly endless merch to look through, the Funko Hollywood location also offers the Pop Yourself experience where guests can build a custom Funko character of themselves in about 20 minutes.  

The custom Editing Luke Funko I built at Funko Hollywood.

 

Grand Central Market in Los Angeles, California

With a variety of cuisine, coffee, produce, and general novelty on offer, the Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, California is a bustling hub of activity. It's a great place to be a culinary tourist and sample foods from around the world under one roof. Grab breakfast here, as I did, and then head out to explore downtown L.A. landmarks such as the Bradbury Building just across the street. Your taste buds will thank you. Grand Central Market doesn't disappoint.