The eagle has landed.

With 12% of the American population claiming Irish ancestry it seemed appropriate to fly via Aer Lingus, oh and it was the cheapest flight. None the less, I was with illustrious company, the 'Irish Hip Hop Crew' heading out to compete in the World Hip Hop championships. Hoodies, faux diamond earings and shamrocks - somehow I can't visualise US hip hop with a Riverdance strand, maybe thats the next big thing.

I have arrived. I confess my first impressions: totally underwhelmed. LAX is a 60s airport struggling to cope with 21st century demands. I was caught in the biggest immigration queue in the world (the Guniess book of records team were present, I guess it was an Irish flight) and then they lost my baggage. Freeways, pollution, intense sun and well architects and town planners who really should be placed in Guantanamo to protect the rest of the world. The majority of the city feels like Milton Keynes meets Disney World on acid. You have mexican haciendas next to mock tudor, Mies van der Rohe side by side with palladian styled houses. Its extraordinary, one moment you are on a run down street funneling a six lanes of traffic and suddenly it evaporates into a multi million dollar enclave. I feel bad as I sound like a right complainer, but visually this place is like hell on earth. Sure there is great weather and a coastline to die for, but I do get the feeling that California is a gorgeous place scared by mankind. Everyone I have spoken to tells me it gets under your skin as you seek out havens in this concrete parking lot. So, to be honest these are my initial impressions, lets see how they evolve over the next two years.

As for finding an apartment I happily trawled Craig's list with romantic ideas of Hollywood bungalows straddled by green lawns or bijou pied a terres in newly refurbished appartment blocks with gated security, swimming pools and gyms. OK so I was dreaming. My idealistic expectations aside, I saw a stack of expensive grotty places. For a moment I was concerned. Stuck in the grid with its oppressive heat, traffic and pollution did not appeal. Next step was to look on westside rentals - great website. Found a stack of new prospects. First place I looked at was in Silverlake, an up and coming bohemian suburb east of Hollywood and Los Feliz. Fantastic. Up on a hill, quiet, views out on to Silverlake reservoir, off street parking. It's an old building, yes with a pool. So I snapped it up. Expected delays as they credit checked me, but no issues there, I had the keys in my hands by the afternoon! I love it. Sat on the balcony yesterday and was entertained by a little hummingbird gathering nectar. So it almost feels suburban. Being on a hill temperature is cool and I get a nice breeze in the evening. So a blessed relief from the intense heat down in the grid. Next step - furnishings.

Whilst searching for a place I have been lucky enough to stay with friends, Dick and June, in Marina del Rey. Smart enclave by the coast next to Venice Beach. Nice spot. Went out with one of their pals, a prominent Hong Kong chap called Johnson Chan and his wife Vivian Lee. Johnson has just been producing his first feature film, a comedy called 'Smother' staring Diane Keaton. He produced the picture with Jay Roach ('Meet the Fockers' 'Austin Poers' etc) its out soon. Johnson is great, a really positive and energetic guy. The restaurant was a Japanese American fusion affair. It was extraordinary. We had sushi pizza, maki rolls covered in hot cheese sauce, tofu, bbq chicken wings, rice cakes again smothered in hot cheese - to simplify the situation it was japanese food covered in hot cheese! Very tasty but distinctly odd! I can see how people can pack on teh weight out here. It has been a non-stop meat fest.

The British weather says goodbye

In true British fashion the heavens opened to say goodbye. So much so that my home county of Gloucestershire was placed on a state of emergency with my Mother claiming it was like being back in WWII.

As you can be seen from the photo above the boys from Substance001 were sad to see me go. Big thanks to Andy and Pete who have kindly let me work out of their office for the last six months. They can now get back to the serious work of promoting The 'Simpson's movie' and 'Evan Almighty' on line, so if anyone out there needs an on line PR and Marketing agency check out www.substance001.

Saturday, with the rain continuing, I bade farewell to friends over a soggy burger. It was great to catch up with so many friends and a real kicker to be heading away from such great pals. On this note I e mailed out to my industry contacts that I was heading off to the AFI and was overwhelmed by the positive response. You never know if the 'powers that be' read your epistles or wether underlings move them out into the trash. So in this case a great response from the likes of Lionsgate, Crossroads, Seville Pictures, Parkland Films, Dan Films etc it all points to heading in the right direction.

Days to go....

Thank you the Beckhams! With all the attention they are drawing with their move to LA I sense that I will slip through the media net unobserved. Having caught five minutes of Posh Spices TV show I sense that I won't be competing over properties, domestic staff, cars actually in all aspects of of a relocation.

So days to go. Flight booked. Aer lingus via Dublin on Monday 23rd July.

I have been accepted on to the the MA directing program at the American Film Institute in the heart of Hollywood. This is a two year course, effectively split into two distinct phases. The first year is driven by the production of three short films which are designed never to see the light of day outside of teh AFI and allow the makers to develop their skills. The second year focuses on a graduation film and the development of a screenplay or TV pilot. Many of the graduation films have screened at A list film festivals and some even considered for the short film Oscar. So the standard set is high.

Every year the AFI accepts 28 students for each of the following disciplines: Direction, Production, Cinematography and Script Writing. In addition 14 students are accepted on to the editing and production design courses. As far as I am aware, over the first year we are expeected to work in three differnt groups in the production of each short film. At all stages of the production our work is heavily critiqued.

Why the AFI? After extensive research on film schools and training courses the AFI offered the most industry and practical orientated course. Though UCLA, USC, NYU and Columbia had strong reputations none allowed you to specialise from the outset. From a personal perspective, having undertaken a general film course at the London Film School in 2000, I wanted to concentrate on my chosen speciality. In addition, the faculty all come from teh industry and not from an academic back ground. For example the Dean is Robert Mandel who has directed episodes of 'Lost' and 'Prison Break' and Frank Pierson who co-wrote 'Cool Hand Luke' and won an Oscar for 'Dog Days Afternoon'.

So how did I get into the AFI? In November 2006 I applied through the website. The process involved submitting a detailed CV, industry references, submission of a short film and a detailed essay centring on why you have chosen the particular discipline you wish to follow.

I chose to fly across for an interview and spent 45 minutes with Jim McBride the head of the Directing program and director of 'The Big Easy' and various episodic TV including 'Six Feet Under'. My application film was 'What Does Your Daddy Do?' which premiered last year at the Venice Film Festival. Jim was impressed and praised the film, so so with English understatement I guess the interview went well.

It seems odd heading back to College, but I spent a long time discussing with my Agent, Ian Benson (www.theagency.co.uk) industry friends and colleagues and most importantly my wife Julia. It all pointed at being an opportunity too good not to miss. Strangely enough it was my wife who said I should definitely go, despite her opting to stay in the UK as she has landed a great job in Venture Cpital with a company called Pall Mall Partners. Having announced a decision to accept the offer the help I have recieved from colleagues has been amazing. In particular Michael Bauer, Julia's boss, who has been so supportive. Big thank you.

The next thing to manage are my expectations. I can't begin to describe who much I am looking forward to be back behind a camera making films. The last year has focused heavily on script writing and following 'What Does Your Daddy Do?' on teh festival circuit. Lets also face it, the UK short film world is a difficult fight to win funding as I am sure everywhere is. So to know that we will be making three films in quick succession is inspiring.

I had lunch with Soophie Watts, a cambridge graduate with and extensive track record in filming rock concerts. Really interesting onversation over lunch.

Well I hope it all lives up to my expectations. I guess fundamentally the school is only as good as its students. So back to saying my fond farewells to family and friends.

Next challenge: apartment, car and bank account.