If you’re interested in seeing the real down and dirty of the movie business, and a place that merges Americana with independently owned businesses, this is the place. I love it. I lived there for over a year after leaving a crappy job and it not only didn’t inspire ambivalence, it was a wonderful place to regroup and figure out my next move. It felt like home. We hope to move back some day. Folks like Burbank and Glendale because they are better run as cities, their taxes go into things like repairing potholes. When you cross from Toluca Lake into LA, you can feel the difference in your car. So, enjoying Burbank may be a facet of where you are in life – if you’re older (over 25, say), or more established, especially if you’re married or want kids, Burbank might be more appealing than the up and coming arts neighborhood of North Hollywood.
Most of the people working in Burbank’s industry are not famous or glamorous, although it is a stone’s throw from most of the major studios and channels. If you’re looking for self conscious hip, go to Melrose Avenue; if you’re looking for wealth, go to Beverly Hills. I’ve seen movie crew members wagon-wheeling their kid into Vons on a sunny afternoon, met a TV actress lining up to vote in a neighbor’s home, any number of people mailing their actor’s resume, indie film or homemade CDs at the local post office. There are indie production houses next door to NBC and Dick Clark Productions – one place specializes in B horror movies for the overseas market and has pretty funny posters.
While the Media Center area is probably better known, many of the independent businesses are on Olive Avenue or on Magnolia. This includes a furniture shop selling antiques and replicas from the 1950s, used clothing stores selling fabrics from the 1960s and clothes used in TV/movie productions, Eight Ball (an alternative gift shop) and House of Secrets comic books, the kitschy, friendly ambiance of Pinocchio Italian Restaurant, the hometown hangout of TallyRand, the bright lights of the Safari Inn (where Apollo 13 was shot). Not to mention Paty’s in Toluca Lake, Poquito Mas, or Big Boy. It’s really a matter of digging below the surface. And you can WALK here if you want!