Michael Fretz - Interaction Designer » Venice

LAFlashapaloozastock IV

Michael Fretz — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:41:06 +0000

In a few days Adobe MAX will start. Before and during Adobe MAX there will be many other events. I will help at LAFlashapaloozastock because this event is held in our office. Here some more Infos about this Event.

LAFlashapaloozastock IV is a FREE event for interactive designers, developers, artists, companies and the people that enjoying hanging with. This year is scheduled to be the biggest event so far, as a pre-MAX 09 “free festival”:

* Top Studios set up booths to interview, meet and greet the community.
* Amazing presentations by top industry talent
* Job Stock helps the regional industry and community by matching prospective employers with the talent they need.
* Budding Talent – encourages college students and recent grads to demonstrate their skills and portfolios, to help them find entry level positions in the industry.
* Raffle – still unconfirmed, past years prizes included the new Adobe Creative Suite, Nintendo Wii, and books from Friends of Ed.
* Street Party a celebration of art music and creativity featuring one of a kind entertainment, art showcases, delicious food, and live music & dancing.

A quick rundown

* Event: LAFLPS IV
* Date: Saturday Oct 3rd, 2009
* Time: 10:30am – midnight
* Location: Almer/Blank – LA Flash Factory
* Address: 525 Venezia Avenue, Venice CA 90291
* Description: A free event for interactive designers, developers, artists, companies and the people that enjoying hanging with– top studios hiring, amazing workshops, raffles, and street party/mixer.
* Parking: Venice Blvd/ Abbot Kinney South

Why the name? And whats the History?
Los Angeles + Flash + LaLaPalooza + Wood Stock + Venice Beach + Free Cool Stuff = LAFlashapaloozastock

So…. it’s a yearly conference, festival, job placement , showcase, mixer and party. Back in 2005, after going through a full keg, the event ended with an infamous Frisbee war (on the day before the Anaheim MAX)! In 2007, we chilled in the patio eating freshly made tacos and watching exotic fire dances. In 2008, attendees saw GMUNK, Ralph Hauwert, Lee Brimelow and Brandon Hall present and made many networks during our mixers in between talks.

In other words, LAFlashapaloozastock IV will ROCK to the top of Mt. Fuji! We’ve got Flash gods, jobs, food, music, liquor, art, and free stuff (and not to mention all the hot peeps from Venice).
Who goes to this event?

Flash Designer, Flash Developers, Motion Graphic Artists, Digital Artists and anyone in or having an interest in Flash and digital media. From our technical presentations for the beginner, the intermediate, and the super advanced, to the inspirational creative sessions, there is always something to choose from.

Source: flashapalooza.com

Venice Beach – Funny people but lovely place

Michael Fretz — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:05:13 +0000

Hi everybody. After flying for ages I landed safely Los Angeles. Passing the customs and immigration took me only 1.5h. :-/ After leaving the airport, I took a shared Taxi to my shared flat in Venice. I live in a small house with a beautiful garden next to a golf course and a playground. The location is good. I can walk to the beach (25min) and to my office (15min). The house is charming and clean and my flatmates are very kind and gave me a warm welcome. Currently there are five pets around. Three cats and two dogs. The dogs scared me a bit in the beginning but they seems to be very well behaved.
In case anybody of you wants to get in contact with me here is my home address:

Michael Fretz
1042 Rose Ave
Venice 90291

Today I had a brief look at the area I live in. I took the unicycle because its the only transport I have at the moment. I thought, Venice Beach, an arty place in the USA will be used to unicycles but its not. Every time I overtook or passed anybody they started talking to me. It was funny especially the strange people at the beach who tried to sell everything to me. There was even another guy at the beach with an unicycle but he tried to make money with being there with a one wheel bike. Maybe I should do that too.. :-) Anyway, I enjoyed my ride along bodybuilder, skateboarder, musicians, dancers, tattoo freaks, rockers, tourists,artists , runners, swimmers and salesman’s. Of course I went for a swim in the sea but the water was actually quite cold. My ride ended in Santa Monica Pier where I turned back to Venice Beach.
At the moment I sit in the beautiful garden from our flat, write this post and will start coding afterwards. Tomorrow I will start my internship at Almer / Blank.

more photos on facebook

Internship at Almer/Blank and Adobe MAX

Michael Fretz — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:13:36 +0000

I did it! A long dream will come true. I can do an internship in the USA. On August 29th I will fly to Los Angeles. I will start my internship at Almer/Blank in Venice CA as a Actionscript and Flex developer. After overcoming all the VISA stuff and booking a flight I can finally go. A big “thank you” to everybody who supported me and believed in me. A special “thank you” to Markus Almer from Almer/Blank who provides the intern position, Martha and Naomi form AIPT (Supporting Company for the J1-VISA) and Dominik Brumm who helped me with the plane ticket and of course my parents who always believe in my dreams.

The only concern I have now, I NEED A ROOM!!! If anybody knows somebody who can help me, please contact me! I need a clean room near my office!
I’m also happy with just a couch for the first few days so I can sort out things locally..

Thanks for your help

While I stay in Venice, there is Adobe MAX in Los Angeles. A colleague from the Swiss Flash User Group (SFUG) could help me to find a Technical Assistant position. I look forward to help at following BYOL labs:
- Advanced Interaction Design and Designing for Data in Flash Catalyst
- Learning AS3 lab
I looking forward for this well known event.

Of course I will also blog during my time in Venice… Therefore make sure you follow me on twitter or RSS!