Tramma Lamma Tram Tram

So.

For my most recent broadcast class, I had to a video story (VSV) on the USC Tram Service. Sounds simple, no? But try having to MAKE time in your schedule to take a tram you don't need, to film a tram you don't usually pay attention to, to interview people that, well, would prefer to get on stop A and get off stop B and not be pestered by my tramming homework. But it was my first assignment, and boy oh boy, I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty excited.


Until the commuting happened.

My earliest Monday class is at 1. I know, I know...old story. So I figured in the morning I'd get all my filming done.

I wait at the second stop on Route A's uh, route. I hop on the third tram after filming a bunch of b-roll. Bumpy ride but pleasant. Umm... the people look a little tired. Not as enthusiastic as I was. I did get some funky stares for filming inside a very bumpy tram ride. I go through the whole route and stay on for the second.

Here was the sketchy business...

I wanted to interview this guy who we'll call Tim. He and I both concurred on the moving tram that I'd interview him at his stop because it would be best place. He said it was the third stop. WELL..... Maybe I should have checked the stops online. Or at least known where the "USC Research Annex" was.

We get off 3 blocks east of campus on Exposition. I passed it along the way the first time, but we hadn't stopped there so I was a little confused. A little shady-looking, but oh well.

The tram jets off like nobody's business. I do the interview. He leaves. I pack up my rather expensive equipment and look all professional with this accomplished look on my face and BAM! Where's the tram??

Oh that's right! It left.

TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!! I call.

"Where's the tram going to come? Is this a pickup stop?"

"Well, the next stop is down the street at the school. And the stop after that is at the [very dingy looking] parking structure building down on Jefferson. You can make it to the last stop if you maybe run there or something"

"Ok, thanks!"

Yeah...right. I'm not running with rather expensive equipment and pointy flats in a location where there are, seriously speaking, hobos at every turn.

Oh brother... I guess I'm going to walk.


I live about 2 blocks west and then 1 block south of where we were. Not bad. It's morning and it's breezy and personally I like walking under freeway bridges with sleeping homeless men and their shopping carts.

I make it back, obviously; just via the scenic route. Tram A - DONE.

TRAM B

Tuesday night I decide to shoot some more b-roll so I go over around 4:30ish to take Tram B and do the same thing.

I'm standing kind of outside the USC Valet courtyard entrance fountain corner School of Law-ish area. I ask the guy next to me, "Excuse me. Is this the tram stop?"


"For the Parking Center Tram? Yeah, it is."

"Thanks!"

BAM! Safia walks by laughing at me and my poor little tripod and video baggage. She's the first non-stranger to see me in action. IN ACTION! She laughed. There goes my credibility. Haha. Ahh..roommates.

So she leaves and I wait next to the guy. This tram/bus comes and as I'm about to get in, the guy says,

"Oh. This one is the Long Beach tram."


!!?!??!?!??!

Holy mother! "Oh gosh, thank you!"

If he hadn't told me, I'd have been in Long Beach Tuesday night. Stranded. Waiting for a ride. My naiveté would have gotten the best of me...again. But once again, I made it home, obviously - and without having gone to Long Beach.