May 31: This day was pretty slow. I got my official ID and was able to sit in on the noon news. The highlight of this day was probably my tasty lunch :)
June 1: I spent the morning with the producers, watching what they do, etc. Then I finally got to go out with a crew! We went to Martinsville to cover the trial for the school shooting that took place a few months ago. We got there plenty early, so I was able to try a few stand-ups! It was so fun and the photographer was really helpful/encouraging in his critique. We shot live at the 5 and 6 news so I was able to see how stressful that part of the job can be.
June 2: I went out with a crew again to cover a story on gas prices. We did a couple interviews and they let me try a standup. I was still pretty nervous, but am realizing I have to just pretend to be confident and hopefully someday I will be! We went back to the station and the photographer taught me how to use their editing software. I recorded my voice and made my first package!
June 3: I was in the station all day writing VOs for the producers for the evening news.
June 6: I went to the Children's Museum where they have a new exhibit. The exhibit opens for the public on June 11, but it was the revealing for the media. It was cool to walk through the exhibit (I have always loved the Children's Museum!) plus I felt important since I got to see it first :) After lunch, I went to a press conference about a child pornography bust. Apparently, a 23 year old from Bloomington was arrested for being the mastermind behind this huge child pornography conspiracy worldwide. He produced and distributed pornography of children under the age of 4! I found the whole thing very disturbing, but also realized that this is the kind of stuff I may see everyday in this field. The crew talked about how you really have to learn to separate yourself from your work.
June 7: I followed another reporter all day. We went to Gaston, where a police officer had shot his wife. We had to track down the police reports in Muncie. It was helpful to see more of the process of getting a story ready. We went to the sheriff's office, the circuit court, and the prosecutors office all in search of this story.
June 8: I followed a photographer to Bedford. We first went to a GM announcement and were given a tour of the factory. I got to interview a few people there. Next, we looked around for the storm damage from a few weeks ago. We found the area that the tornado touched down at and shot some footage to show how the cleanup process is going. It was incredible to see this entire house moved 30-40 feet off its foundation and another completely destroyed. I was able to do a stand-up and I'm starting to feel better in front of the camera. I know that I have a lot of room for improvements, but I am feeling more confident. I came back and wrote a script for the 6:00 news and then wrote a package to do of my own, incorporating my standup. I voiced it yesterday and will start editing Monday!
So that's been my experience so far! I really do love it and the more I'm here, the more I can see myself in this field. I have enjoyed getting to know the staff. I am surprised how comfortable I have felt asking so many questions, but people really do love sharing their stories. I enjoy hearing how everyone got where they are today! There are some things that concern me in this field... people rarely have your back and it sounds like people often have pretty superficial relationships with coworkers. It is difficult not to become calloused when you see such heartbreak daily. Despite these things, I am excited about the challenge. It may sound pretty cliche', but this is such a huge mission field. The tv industry needs Christians! I feel like I have successfully shown people at the station that I am genuine and I really do care about relationships... in return I have be able to have some awesome conversations! Just yesterday, I spent the hour long drive back with a photographer hearing him talk about hypocritical Christians. It was a conversation that only God could have opened the door for and in the end the photographer said he found my high standards very refreshing. It has been cool to learn so much about this field, but I am seeing that there may be a higher purpose for me this summer and I am very excited to see what God has in store!
PLEASE tell me you are taking TV news in the fall!! I'm so happy you're enjoying your internship, Amanda! I definitely sounds like you are loving every minute and I think that's wonderful =)
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