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
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