It’s a Busy Start

Everybody’s seemed busy in the PR Department of ABS-CBN when I came in for my first day. No orientation or introductions were done. My superior, Sir J who I think is in his mid 20’s, looks like a sensible fun guy. Sir J immediately gave me an assignment to make a press release for Matanglawin’s July 11 episode. Before that, my co-interns and I were given bundles of press releases to review a little bit and analyze the format and style of writing for different programs.

After submitting the material on Matanglawin, Rea and I paired up for a simple article to be posted on e-frequency. e-Frequency is a multi-awarded electronic news letter produced by the ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Division which started in 2008 to boost up the company’s workforce. The article was about the ABS-CBN employees’ views on what rules or laws should P. Noy implement during his term. We conducted MOS on the grounds of the Kapamilya Network and got a variety of answers; some were good and there were some that were a bit unthinkable. J It was quite a time and I did not expect that I’ll be further working on for e-frequency.

Sir K, the boss of my superior, called me to join their meeting one afternoon. After letting me take a seat, the things he was talking about were quite a blur to me. He wanted to cover six different topics and I was surprised that he gave the three to me. He wanted articles on these topics that would be put up in e.

The next day I showed up for internship, I went down at The Loop to get the information I needed for my first article. The process for gathering the data was quite interesting; I had to go food-tripping. With a little word from the Property Management, the food stalls offered me their best-sellers for free tasting. I made a stop for about 20 different food stalls. There were even some that gave out samples of almost their entire menu. I made petty conversations with the owners, managers and a few staff to learn more about their specialties. Halfway through the stalls, I felt my tummy bursting bit by bit, but I couldn’t stop because the food just keeps coming. But there is a greater challenge waiting for me back at the work desk; writing this flavorful experience.

by: faye marcelino

Keeping My Cool

My second week of my internship is a funny memory. I have been agitated for the most part and the other smaller part, I have been excited to the max.

THE BIGGER PART

I'm an agitated, not so cool and scared person especially to spur of the moment experiences especially with live production. So for my second week of internship I was tasked to operate the teleprompter on a live newscast, entitled minuto, wh

ich airs from 9 am to 2pm (every 30 minutes). I was really scared. I wish I would be dead the moment I sat down on the computer to operate it. The anchor of the show, Mr. Audrey Gorriceta, is very nice with me always telling me to stay calm and enjoy the experience. But it didn't worked out. I made a mistake once (though very minimal) but it scared me more. hahaha. If it's not so embarrassing to pee my pants, I would. I couldn't understand myself because it's a very mundane fear. But swear, if I have to choose between operating the teleprompter and helping in delivering a baby, I would choose the baby. That's how bad my fear is. hahaha. But i'm aware that's it's very stupid.

Anyhow, I got over it a little because I quit wishing something bad would happen to me so that i don't have to operate the teleprompter. Plus I have friend-interns who are much willing to do it more than I would.

THE SMALLER BUT EXCITING PART

I went to another coverage. But this time it was a big one with all the TV networks and the biggest newspaper and some small newspaper companies too. The press con was about the new

DENR head, Sec. Paje. It was a very nice experience being there with the other reporters. The newspaper reporters know a lot of things so they asked most of the questions. Ms. Elena Luna, the

reporter from NBN whom I'm with, shared some tips on how to treat a news story visually and how to choose your angle. She also shared

some experiences with me about the senate beat.

I learned a lot of insights from Ms. Luna. She made me think of my news angle and then she asked me to write about it. And then we have fun shooting her stand-upper. But I'm also aware of the limitations of their story especially because NBN is a government agency.

I really love going with the reporters in the field because experiences like this show me how is it in real life. I know I'm really not into live production because I always need to think, to plan and to consider things even for a little while.

(images are from blackwingdiaries.blogspot.com and http://totalgadha.com/tgtown/soliloquist)

TV internship first week

It was an exciting first day of internship in NBN for me because I was able to go with a reporter in her business beat. Ms. Melanie Lee and her cameraman, Mr. Barry Yumol, allowed me to go with them in Makati where a press con would be held.

It was not a big press con but I was able to sit with some of the business reporters like Ms. Zen Hernandez. The other plus side is: I was among the first person to know that there might be a sugar shortage if the government doesn't import sugar soon.

This experience also made me realize that if I want to pursue business reporting, a background in economics is a really big help! Whoah. I guess I have to continue my plans in enrolling in macroeconomics next year.

Coming with them in the field is a really great experience. Though, we missed lunch (and I felt really hungry hahaha), it was worth it because I was able to experience firsthand what a reporter does in the field.

Too bad, I was not able to observe how Ms. Melay made her script and edit her report because Ms. Len, our supervisor, asked me to run some errands.

I'm really looking forward for my next coverage!

3rd week @ GMA NMI

GMA NMI held another Live-Chat this week. The celebrity guests were Aljur Abrenico and Kris Bernal of The Last Prince.

Like the last Live-Chat, we were made to prepare the food of the two celebrities, bringing them all to the Filter room which is just in front of the studio. We also prepared floor questions for Aljur and Kris. I felt weird while writing those questions. I thought that I don’t even know these people and I don’t really care about them and their love life, but here I am asking them questions as if I’m the most interested person.

The Live-Chat went on for two straight hours. I observed again how this little production works. There was the floor director, taking the command of the director from a separated booth, the director himself, the cameramen also taking directions form the director on whom the camera should be focused and other staffs who filtered questions from fans and who updated the igma.tv website and facebook accounts.

Observing the staff, I was surprised at the number of fans who follow their idols on the internet. It really is a serious number. :)

I also noticed that though the set was small, it did not look empty at all on screen. I mean the background and furniture were simple, but they were arranged in a way that the set would look full. It's simple, but not boring.

Nelson Canlas of Chika Minute was there again to interview the two celebrities. As they had their question and interview portion, I realized something again. I realized how showbiz can turn out to be so superficial. I realized that there is really that possibility that most of these things that these people are saying are not true. I realized that after people heard their answers, after Aljur and Kris satisfied the curios mind of Nelson Canlas and all of their fans, then what? Will it bring about change or even a small improvement on the lives of the viewers?

Anyway, after the Live-Chat, we were able to have a picture with Aljur. This time I was able to bring my cam. :)

After those 2 busy hours, the department went back to its usual work again. I clipped GMA's variety shows for the last two days before I went home. :)

GMA NMI 1st Week

First day at GMA NMI and my first ever Live Chat experience.

Prior to this day, I was already advised by my co-interns that there would be a Live Chat on June 26. So I reported at 1:00 pm. I figured we have to start early for the Live-Chat program. Since it was a live production, I was tasked to assist our production managers. They asked me to fetch the celebrities’ already prepared food. The celebrity guests for the day were Barbie Forteza and Joshua Dionisio of Pilyang Kerubin aired on GMA’s Telebabad. I also got to hand in floor questions coming from the filter room to the studio which then were used by the celebrities as guide questions. These questions came from their fans who were chatting with them in real time.

During the Live-chat, I got to see how production really works in the real business. Though it was just a small production, I can see the staff and aspects of production that were taught to us in our class. There was the floor director, taking directions from the director who was inside the control booth, the cameraman, directed also by the director as to whom the camera should be focused. Even though the production was not as formal as compared to other shows, I can see how smoothly it was planned.

After the Live-chat, my boss, Ms. Lorreta Ramirez asked me to have a picture with the two child stars though I really did not want to. :P But the two kids were polite and bubbly enough to acknowledge my boss’s request. I wasn't able to bring my camera, so the copy of the picture's with my boss. I'll try to get it next time. :)

After the production, my boss, asked me to clip the videos that were to be uploaded on the igma.tv. I viewed all the Telebabad shows that were aired the night before and chose their highlights. The format went this way.


Ex. Kerubin_062310_001

02:03-4:35

Short Title: Kerubin: Mga Problema

Description: Tuluyan nang nabulag ang isang mata ng ina ni Charity at dumating na sa bahay nina Jacob si Aaron.

Keywords: kerubin, barbiefortaleza, joshuadionisio, elmomagalona

Screenshot: 04:15

Proposed File Name: kerubin_062310_001_mgaproblema.flv

The next day, I was assigned to clip Variety and Telebabad shows again and transcribe an interview with Carl Guevarra of The Last Prince.


Technically, the task was easy. The only thing that made it a little difficult was the record of the interview itself. It turned out that the interview was held in an open area where there are lots of noises and the voices of both the interviewer and the interviewee were competing with the background noise. Because of this, I realized how important a setting for an interview is. I remembered the importance of ambient sound that was taught to us in our classes. I really strained my ears just to make sense of some of the questions being asked, Nevertheless, I was able to complete it.


Over all, my first week as an intern at GMA NMI was a bit tiring but also fun and memorable. The people in GMA were friendly and accommodating which made my first week less tensed. I hope improvements on my work and more experiences will follow for the next days to come.:)

Thanks for the Blog

Good job on setting this up, people. Good choice on the theme too...light and breezy, reminding you to take it easy. :) (no rhyme intended).

Some reminders: make sure you don't occupy yourself with criticisms of what should-and-shouldn't be. Observe more how work is done, how relationships flourish and contribute to the organization, and to the output. What products are created? What kind of content sells for them? What is important to the organization, and how is this reflected in their daily actions and dealings with others?

Try to feel your way around the place and build relationships with your bosses. This will be invaluable for you in terms of getting the chance to make a big contribution. See how you can leverage your strengths in the industry at this stage. The important thing is also that they remember you after your internship.

I'm looking forward to reading more entries. Remember to keep writing in your own journals. Good luck and be safe!