LIGHT BROWN TEDDY BEAR LOST: IF FOUND, PLEASE GIVE HER BACK ;)

The greatest thing happened at KTLA today. I was asked to go along on a shoot! I went with a reporter and camera man to interview this up-and-coming singer, Caitlin Crosby (download her on Itunes btw, she's phenomenal....gonna make it big someday, I'm calling it right now). These are called Music Spotlights. KTLA actually did one on Britney Spears way back when, before she was famous. Who would've known....We went to Caitlin's recording studio and, after the interview, saw her perform one of her hits.  There are two more Music Spotlights coming up for two more artists. I am going with for the interview Wednesday, and then this Thursday they are sending me alone, just the camera man and I. So I will set up and conduct the interview, and put the package together all on my own. This is adding tremendously to my portfolio; I am so glad they asked me to do this. 

A few days ago, I met Karissa and Kristina Shannon....Hugh Hefner's new girlfriends! They were interviewed on our show, and I took them from the set to the green room after the interview. We were able to talk for a few minutes about life at the mansion and my obsession with the Girls Next Door lol, and they answered about 80% in unison! It was hilarious. Overall, they were very nice girls. 

As if California wasn't perfect enough already, I found something else to love about it: San Diego. My mom and I went there a few days ago, and I fell in love. The downtown area is so clean and beautiful; I love all the restaurants and night life. There was something else very comforting about San Diego, it's hard to explain. I never thought I would say this, but there is something refreshing about a place that is so beautiful, yet without the emphasis on glitz and glamour and celebrity. Don't get me wrong, that scene fascinates me in LA, but, as I blogged about before, I don't think that is something you would want to be around forever. 

Well, I'm exhausted, time for bed. Sweet dreams everyone. xoxo B

P.S. I forgot to mention that something bad actually did happen in SD. But I can't blame the city itself, its probably my fault I guess. ;) I left my teddy bear, Bella, at our hotel. :( Seemingly minor issue unless you're someone that sleeps with it every night...like I do. Still waiting to hear back from the hotel to see if she was rescued before being thrown into that smoldering tornado otherwise known as a washer and drier....poor bear, never saw it comin'. 

CMT's tonight...

Getting ready, Victoria's Secret all day....gotta work to make a living! It's gonna be crazy busy since the semi-annual sale just started. 

Country Music Awards on tonight, I've been waiting to watch this! Can't wait to see Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler perform.....and hopefully win some! Have a great day, I'll write more when I have more time! :)

xoxo B

CALIFORN-I-A

From Victoria's Secret to KTLA to spending time with my mom, life has been very busy, which can only be good.  I am enjoying VS more and more. The last time I worked, I actually sold so many bras they said they want to make me a bra specialist! Ha, it is definitely entertaining helping both men and women shop in that store. The stories are endless,  as are the lines now that the semi annual sale is starting!

I have learned how to use all the editing equipment at KTLA now. Sam, the entertainment anchor, told me that the most beneficial thing I could take away from this internship is if I can learn how to use Final Cut Pro, an advanced editing system, which I happened to learn today. I know I am fortunate to have all this editing knowledge, because a journalist needs to be well rounded. Though I ultimately want to be in front of the camera, I am glad I know the work that goes into making the anchors look good. Having that knowledge is what makes anchors appreciate what their crew does for them, and it makes them more respectful in their requests and demands. Starting at the bottom makes you more appreciative if you ever are lucky enough to make it to the top. 

Speaking of the top of a really tall mountain, California is absolutely beautiful. From the mountains to the ocean to the sun and the weather, California seems to have it all. And if you have heard thats it's very lax here, your absolutely correct....if your NOT talking about driving! Some of these drivers are crazy! Didn't think I'd feel like a grandma this young  ;) Downtown LA/Hollywood area is definitely very crowded. In fact, there are "carpool" lanes on the highways for cars of two or more, encouraging car pooling and subsequently less traffic. This lane is always smooth sailing, which is great incentive to drive in it. Actually, I guess they make "car dummies" to sit in your passenger seat so you dont get pulled over if you want to drive in the car pool lane by yourself. Strange yes, but it takes all kinds, right...??? 

I have come to learn that most natives dont live in the heart of LA, but rather the outskirts, and through travel, I have come to understand why. LA and Hollywood is great for what I am doing now: a young girl in her 20s interning/working/getting the Cal experience, but if I ever decided to live here, I would definitely want to live in the outskirts, where it is more tranquil and peaceful. My mom and I were driving around in Malibu, for example, and it is so serene there. Up in the mountains there are beautiful homes, rolling mansions, 30 acre horse ranches, etc....all placed on lots of land overlooking the ocean: a priceless view.  Even my dad (who hates crowds/loud settings/large groups of poeple....weird I know, considering he owns  a nightclub-and is married to my mother lol) admitted that, though downtown was a bit much for him, he would love to live in the more low-key parts of California. It's hard to explain, but there's something about the way the sun reflects off the ocean and the mountains stare down at you in tranquil intimidation that really connects you to this place. 

She works hard for her money ;)

Today was my first day of work at Victoria's Secret. This is only the second job I've ever had (I worked on and off  at Abercrombie and Fitch in high school), but I actually enjoy working. That might sound weird, but there is definitely something to say for making your own money. It's a very empowering feeling that I am glad to have. 

My mom  has been in Vegas with my dad for their anniversary, so I have officially lived on my own. Talk about another empowering feeling. I have come to learn that you often times dont realize what exactly you are capable of if you have always had someone taking care of you. It's kind of nice to see what I am able to do on my own. I'm surprising myself. 

My parents will be back tomorrow; my dad only for a few days, and my mom is staying a bit longer thankfully before she goes home for good.  I am looking forward to seeing my dad, its been almost a month now. They'll be back tomorrow afternoon, and I'll be able to show my dad around LA (yes I actually have grasped the city already, ANOTHER great feeling) because he has never been to Cali. 

Well, Im going to get to bed, I have to be up in about 6 hours. Yes, that's right, this blog is SHORT! Hey, there's a first for everything ;)

xoxo B

A "dreamlet" come true :D

Everything is going great at KTLA so far.  I am starting to really understand the newsroom process, and it all actually feels like second nature already. Some very exciting and noteworthy events have taken place since my last blog....

Today, a mini dream came true, a dreamlet if you will ;)....I met Peter Facinelli, aka Carlisle Cullen from TWILIGHT!  I have always wanted to meet a member of the Twilight cast. I was able to meet him after his interview, when he was walking off set back to his dressing room. I asked to take a picture with him. He actually reached out to shake my hand and asked my name, following up saying "It's very nice to meet you, Bianca". I don't think I was breathing as we took our picture together! These details may seem superfluous, but I know my fellow Twilight fans can understand where I am coming from. ;) Also, last Friday I met Marilu Henner. She complimented me on my white wedge shoes and told me she had the same pair, something I was of course excited about!

Today I was given an important job to carry on the rest of the summer. Our Entertainment Booker, the one who decides what celebrity guests come on our show,  constantly receives emails from publicists regarding upcoming movie screenings. Screenings, which take place before the movie hits theaters, can be for cast and crew or for critics. Our anchors need to know about these screenings so they can see movies of celebs they are interviewing in the near future, so they know some info about that new flick. Our booker decided to put me in charge of keeping track of all these movie screenings this summer. She'll be forwarding those emails to me,  on my new KTLA email account, which I will use to create a detailed chart of the date, time, and location of each upcoming movie. I will mass email this updated chart to the entertainment producers and all the KTLA anchors twice weekly. I will even be able to attend the screenings as well! I was both honored and excited to be chosen to do this. I am a detail-oriented person, and I love being in charge of projects. 

Yesterday, Sunday, my mom and I went to the private cast and crew screening of "Imagine That" at Paramount. This was such an experience. We were able to see this movie five days before it even hits theaters. Afterwards, I met Yara Shahidi, the little girl who stars opposite of Eddie Murphy in the film. I also saw Murphy's stunt double, who literally was a clone of the actor himself!

Maybe it's because of all the plays and musicals I have performed in since practically birth until high school, but I have such a respect for film and acting that seeing the behind-the-scenes absolutely thrills me. At Paramount, I saw numerous Stages on the lot. These Stages looked like big warehouses, yet inside them was nothing but space to build sets for different movies. What fascinated me the most was the "tank".  I saw this extremely tall and wide sign (about 6 stories high maybe) that looked like a sky. On our tour of Paramount, I learned that the parking lot in front of this wall served a dual purpose. When taking a second look, you can see that the parking lot is indeed under ground, like an in-ground pool if you will, about 5 feet deep. This potentially fills up with water to shoot water scenes with the big sky wall as the background. Imagine a huge parking lot size pool full of water against an enormous backdrop! Light and colors are used to create night/lightning/etc. For example, Titanic (not a Paramount film, just an example) was filmed in a  tank such as the one I saw. 

What a time it's been so far! Everyday at KTLA is an adventure. I never know what to expect when I walk through those doors in the morning. With every day comes some newfound knowledge about the business or about myself, and I love that, for that is the purpose of this internship. I have met so many people of different professions in just the past few days-from director to producer to actor to anchor to editor-all of whom seem to love their lives, which is what matters most: happiness.  Seeing all these successful people having the job type that I hope to have one day is encouraging, for I know they too started at the bottom.  Hearing how they began  as interns at one station or another hoping for that seemingly impossible position that I am hoping for goes to show that no dream or goal in life is ever too out of the ordinary. I mean, why shouldn't we dream big? At the end of the day, is it really fulfilling to settle for something mediocre, be it personally or professionally? Yes a fake success story can be told, and a fake smile can be worn, yet we're the only ones who know whether or not we did try our hardest. No dream is too far fetched, too idealistic, or too unrealistic. If the goal is too attainable, and you dont even have to jump to get it, was it even worth the grab?  As Olympic rower Anita Defrantz said, "Your goal should be out of reach but not out of sight." 

KTLA

Today was my second day interning at KTLA, and I absolutely love it! From the moment I stepped into the Entertainment office, the other intern and I were put to work, and I loved that. The producers treat the interns with a substantial amount of respect, and that is giving us remarkable opportunities to learn about this business.

Yesterday was a day of learning. I learned how to file tape into the computer database to create a VO (voice over), and also how to search the video database to find the tape. For example...we received word early this morning that actor David Carradine had died today. After checking sources and confirming truth in this remark, we set to work. We had to search the database for video of Carradine to file into the computer, edit, and thus turn into a VO, which is the video viewers see as the anchor talks about the subject. Keep in mind, this was all done on a deadline, which makes the process stressful yet exciting. I also learned how to dub a tape, which is nothing more than making a copy of a segment of a video for whoever asks for it. Yesterday, Gloria Gaynor's publicist called us asking for a tape of Gloria's recent interview/performance on KTLA, so I found her in the video archives, created the tape, and packaged it, addressed to Gaynor's publicist!

 Another exciting opportunity came when our entertainment anchor, Sam, came into the office yesterday on his way to interview Brooke Burke and asked if I could make him a little journal with "My Thoughts About Brooke" on the cover, as a joke, making it seem like he kept a diary about the beautiful actress/model. Using my classic cursive, a pink marker, and my signature decoration of hearts, I had a final product he went crazy for-and actually brought on air with him as he interviewed Brooke!

Tomorrow, our celebrity guests are Marilu Henner and Kevin Nealon. The interns were given the opportunity to write the scripts, so, after conducting extensive research on the star,  I created an intro/interview questions for Henner. This was a great chance to put my writing skills to use. 

Today, everything I learned yesterday was put to the test. From the minute I arrived at the station at 5:24 am, (my new motto: to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is to be forgotten) there was never a dull moment. One thing I have learned thus far is the fact that there IS never a dull moment in this industry. There is always a new movie, an awards show, a junket, a death, a publicist asking us to have their celebrity as a guest on our show, etc. We had countless videos to file as per request of the anchor. Then, upon hearing about Carradine, we had to get on top of that story and try to be the first to break it. You always want to be the "first on, last off". I was enjoying myself when suddenly a news station's worst nightmare came true: our filing system crashed.  

Immediately, problems arose. Without the ability to file video, you cannot create VO to air during the broadcast. Little did I know how this would connect to me....I was working on my Henner interview questions when the entertainment producer told me Sam wanted me to make signs with the words she gave me on them and meet him on set. Without thinking, I grab paper and markers and make my best block letters to date, when I hear "Bianca, Sam needs you on set" over the station speaker. Barely coloring in my last letter (keep in mind I had minutes to do this, aka my first deadline) I ran across the lot to the set. As I walk in, the director and camera crew are all excited to see me, beckoning me by them with smiles on their faces. Next thing I know, I hear "Oh there she is, cmon up, Bianca" and I see Sam beckoning me on set. 

As I walk up to the steps, I stand where I am told and realize that there is indeed a red light on the camera pointing at me-I was ON-AIR!!! Let me explain....due to the technical difficulties we were having that day at the station, the whole morning show was a bit messed up because we were unable to have VO. So Sam decided to make a joke about this to make the station look better and have someone hold up signs next to him where the video usually is! And he asked me! It was THE coolest thing, let me tell you. They were all joking about the mishaps today, which is something that I believe makes KTLA stand out, for they were truly making lemonade with the lemons they were given today. And boy did it taste good. I had so much fun up there. Granted, I was but holding a sign, but I can't explain that feeling I get when I see the cameras rolling in font of me. Just being on that set, in the company of these talented and extremely successful anchors, was an honor to me. At the end, Sam mentioned how I was from the University of Missouri, and I said "Go Tigers!". :) 

If nothing else, this was a great way to get known around the station, because the rest of the day, everyone kept commenting on my little on-air "gig". They thought it was hilarious and that I did very well for my KTLA debut. 

  

Other exciting events of the day was the full tour of the set. I saw the "green room", where celebrity guests wait before the show. I also saw the dressing room where the anchors get their makeup done by professional makeup artists. Next to that was the private celebrity dressing room. I also attended the post-show meeting, where the anchors and other employees gather to reflect upon strengths and weaknesses of the show. Any Miley Cyrus fans reading this??? Well, I learned that "Hannah Montana" is filmed on our grounds! The Disney filming studio is next to KTLA. I guess people often see Miley coming and going seeing as she uses the same guard entrance as KTLA employees. 

Well, it's 4:00, and I am exhausted! Not only did I intern yesterday from 5:30 am to 1:30 pm, but I had a Victoria's Secret orientation last night from...wait for it....3:30 to 930 at night!!!! I applied to a few places in LA, because I wanted to work out here this summer on some of my days off, and Victoria's Secret hired me, something I  am very excited about. Circling back to what I was saying....the orientation was so long because we learned everything about everything in one night. So by the time I got home, ate dinner, and went to bed, I believe I only got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep. Then I was up at the station at 5:30 am to do it all over again. 

But I am not complaining. I wouldn't change anything. I enjoy it so much that I am actually going in tomorrow, on one of my days off. Our producer is out of town for the next few days, and I overheard my assistant producer say she was going to be short staffed tomorrow, so I offered my help. KTLA is an environment I want to be in. It's something I love experiencing. At KTLA, I am actually doing and seeing what I want to do with my future. I had no idea I would get this much hands on experience. Though I am an intern, I am given duties and responsibilities that are actually vital in getting the morning show on air. In other words, if I file a tape wrong on the computer, the whole VO is messed up and the footage is missing. That type of pressure is intimidating, yes, but that feeling is quickly and easily drowned by the drive that ripples through me when I hear a task thrown in my direction. It is impossible not to be passionate about going to work at KTLA, because everyone there is so warm and welcoming. From jokes in the newsroom to laughter in the hallway, that place is a great place to be. 

I started writing today saying, "Ok, Bianca, this HAS to be shorter", but I said few words to little avail-what else is new? Off to Chipotle now to get mom and I salads, then it's the Akon/Colby O'Donis concert for us! Ha thats right....a friend of mine from home knows a guy in this new boy band in LA, Skyline, that's really taking off. In fact, they are opening up for the main event tonight! And if they do well, they will open for Lady Gaga this summer, too. I met my friend's friend in the band, a very nice guy from Chicago as well! Small world...So he got my mom and I tickets, and it should be a great night. Now all I gotta do is make a friend that knows somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who has two extra tickets to a Lakers game. Hmm...the wheels are turning ;)

xoxo B 

My first week in LA LA Land

Hello everyone. Just weeks ago I was finishing up my sophomore year at Mizzou, and next thing I know I wake up in a fabulous apartment on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles overlooking the Hollywood Hills. Has it all been a dream? Yes, but not the kind that you wake up from to merely find reality staring at you from your bedroom ceiling. This is the kind I have had since youth, since I could pick up a hair brush and force my family to watch me "perform" or whatever it was that I would call it. The kind I have been hoping for since I realized I was born (yes born) to be in front of the camera. The kind I thank God and my parents for each day that I have been lucky enough to live out at the age of 20.

Someone very wise at KOMU told me I should make a blog, a detailed account of what I see, do, feel, etc here in LA, not only for my portfolio, but also for myself. So here I am, sprawled out on my couch next to my oversized window, my apartment to the left of me, the sun lighting up the Hollywood Hills to my right, my pink laptop resting on my legs.  

Take away my teased hair, seemingly permanent lipstick, and occasional high heels, and I really am a simple girl with two goals in life: 1. fall in love and live happily ever after and 2. have a successful career. Seeing that the former is out of my control and best left to the hands of God (as I have learned), I have decided to take the latter into my own hands, something I know is the one and only way TO have a successful career. And that is exactly what led me to Los Angeles this summer. 

I am interning at KTLA, a news station in Hollywood, for the next two and a half months. I will be in their Entertainment Department. KTLA was actually the first commercially licensed TV station west of the Mississippi River. I recently got home from my orientation, an experience that left me more than eager to begin my first real day this coming Wednesday, June 3rd. 

The orientation started off as a success when I correctly followed the complicated directions to the parking lot. Being great at directions is not what I hope to someday get my star put on Hollywood Boulevard for, let's just say that. So, needless to say, I was very proud of myself as I walked onto the station grounds seeing countless people asking the guard for directions to the parking lot. In general, I have felt like I have matured and learned a lot in the past few weeks and months of my life, for one reason or another, but more on that another day. It just makes me feel proud to see me slowly but surely transforming into the best version of myself that I can be, something I know takes people years, but at least I know I am on my way. 

At the orientation, the interns and I  were introduced to the Manager and Director of the station, the head of Human Resources, and other people of this caliber that we should know. The manager started off telling us how we interns were selected out of over 300 applicants. We were then offered countless pieces of advice that I will take with me not only through this internship, but through life as well. Something that resonated with me was being told that,  working in the Entertainment Industry, you might as well be on the gridiron. I was baffled by this concept until he kept talking, explaining how everyday you will be getting hit, needing to block, competing for that coveted position that we know only one person can fill. This made all too much sense to me. Overall, what I took away from every speech I heard today was that this industry is the most unique, for everyday is cut throat, competitive...yet fun. How can that be, you may ask? How can something as difficult as breaking into this industry be FUN? Well, as my dad always says, "If you love your job you never work a day in your life." There you go. I LOVE entertainment news. I LOVE performing. And I am an exceedingly passionate person. Combine all that, and I personally believe you have the recipe for an entertainment journalist. I believe I proved my recipe successful when I answered the question shot at me today leaving my interrogator looking both shocked and impressed, something else I was proud of today. :)

The staff asked who was interning in the Entertainment Department, and I, along with others, raised my hand. He chose me, asking, "What does that mean to you?" Yah, exactly. A very vague and open-ended and could-go-any-route question. But, give me the ball and watch what I do with it. I chose honesty, what I have been taught is the best policy:

I began by saying that I respect Entertainment Journalism, and it is vital that one in this field RESPECTS this field. There are too many people who believe this "stuff" is all "fluff". I continued on to say that, at Mizzou, I have been taught that a journalist's duty is to give citizens not what they want, but what they need. I believe that citizens need to be well rounded and well balanced in the retrieval of their news. Far too many believe they are above celebrity "gossip", better than Paris Hilton, and too educated to hear about this industry. To those people I say this: The average American watches approximately 6 hours of TV a day. What does that mean? That means that the average American sets ratings. That means that the reason why the entertainment industry pays celebrities as it does and is as successful as it is is because of the average American. Entertainment journalism is entertainment journalism. People cannot pick and choose when they want to be a part of it. "Well,  Lost is on tonight so I'm gonna watch that, but this stupid reporting on celebrity couples is nonsense." Not only is that attitude ignorant, its illogical. The emphasis society puts on entertainment (movies, sports, TV shows, music) directly and  collaboratively creates the emphasis journalists put right back on it. Clearly this is a topic I am passionate about! Granted, I chose to express my thoughts in a significantly fewer amount of words in my answer this afternoon, but I got my point across. 

So give me a parking pass, my name-tag for around my neck, and I was good to go. That concluded my first KTLA experience. I am in for the rest of the evening. I am going to take Daphne (did I forget to say my sister's adorable yet should-be-named-Cujo morkie is in LA  with me???) to the top of the parking lot to the "Barking Lot" where she can do her business on the fake patch of turf for all Sunset and Vine's canine friends. Tomorrow my mom and I (did I forget to say my mom is in LA with me??? Yes thats right, I am lucky enough to have my best friend here with me as well until I get completely settled in) are going to the beach.

So as I sit here and look at the sun setting over those Hollywood Hills that words cannot begin to  do justice to, I can't help but think that this indeed does feel right. This summer is going to be the perfect taste of the life I THINK I want to live. If nothing else, I hope this helps me decide more specifically what I want to do with my future. Will I end up in California? Will I be an anchor for a celebrity news show? Will I ever accomplish that first and foremost goal on my list? I dont know, Im only 20. I dont know where I will end up, or who I will end up with, or what color my business cards will be (ok, well I'm actually looking into getting some made and they will probably be pink, lets be serious) but there are a few things, as of June 1st, 2009, I do KNOW. True to form, I made a list.

1. I will fight for what I believe in and what I want in life, because I KNOW nothing good and worthwhile comes easy.

2. Only the strong survive in LA, and I KNOW I have that strength in me. 

3. I KNOW you are lucky if you can count your true friends on one hand. 

4. Laying on my death bed, I KNOW I will have done everything on my bucket list, because that is just the kind of life I want to live: no regrets, because I firmly feel that regret is the worst feeling in the world. 

5. DEFIANCE. COURAGE. ACTION. Words on the Livestrong billboard outside my window that I KNOW I will live by from this stage of my life forward. 

6. If I could only eat 3 things for the rest of my life, I KNOW they would be Coldstone's Birthday Cake Remix, hot sourdough bread and butter, and Pizza Hut stuffed crust pizza. 

7. "Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale". This one...I can't explain. In my heart, I just KNOW. 

That's all for today. I will be back with more updates when I can, when things slow down a bit in LA LA Land. :) Until then: live, laugh, LOVE. 

xoxo B