... seem to be a gathering place for folks who seem to be working on scripts for various TV, movies and stuff...

I wonder if I'll be able to "blend in" if I sit amongst them with my notebook PC and start hacking away... I can claim that done quite a bit of scripting (in multiple languages! -- C-shell, Bourne-shell, Korn-shell, EXEC, EXEC2, REXX, DOS batch, etc.) that went into production (environments), and I've done some SQL (using pronunciation "sequel") work too!
(of course, the problem is that I look too "techie"... you think the pocket slide-rule is too much of a dead giveaway?)

(note: Just in case you're not familiar with the term "SoCal" == contraction of Southern California)