Discovering my Strengths - Vanessa Ortiz

Well Here I am... writing my first blog ever!! It's almost the end of my first week as an intern here at South Carolina ETV.  I don't even know where to start. First, I would say that it's a blessing to have the opportunity to spend my summer interning here and being able to work with such amazing producers and journalists. 
I'm from Bolivia- South America so this is the first time I'm spending my entire summer in South Carolina. I usually go back home for a while and then come back an stay at my uncle's house in Virginia. I was really excited when I received the incredible news that I was selected as one of the Endowment Interns for ETV here in Columbia. But at the same time, I was a little bit scared since I had to figure out a lot of stuff like where I was going to live, how I was going get to work since I didn't have a car, etc. Luckily, everything fell in place and here I am today writing this blog from my own cubicle desk.

My own desk yes!!!

 I'm really excited and ready to learn as much as possible from this internship as well as help in everything they need. On Monday, as soon as I get to the office, Don (My supervisor) gave me the password for my own computer (Yes.. I have a desk, a computer and even a telephone haha I feel like a full time employer. It's really cool!) and gave me a quick tour around the ETV building. He had to go and take a look to the set for the big production we did yesterday, which I will be telling you later in this blog, so I went with him and wow!! the studio was really big and everything was already set up. Then, Don introduced me to Tabitha (producer for Original S.C.) and she gave me a "To Do list" for my internship listing the videos and interviews I had to do and a few other things. She is really nice and she is always willing to help. 

working with the DSLR camera

The last couple of days, I've been working on the DSLR camera, shooting around the building with Tabitha. She is an excellent producer and photographer. She helped me with getting to know the camera, taught me different angles, positions and tips to get the best shot in an interview and getting the B-rolls. I also wrote two articles for the Palmetto Scene website which is a website and program designed to explore the culture and people in South Carolina. The website has different topics including culture, politics, economy, business and health and we are allowed to contribute to it.

The studio already set up for the Climate Change production

Now... the HIGHLIGHT of my week has been being able to sit and help at the big production about Climate Change yesterday. It's basically a 60 min show about climate change where 6 well-known panelists talk about their different points of view and it was hosted by the one and only John King from CNN (how awesome is that).
On Wednesday we rehearsed and did soundcheck. Don along with the entire crew finished the last studio and control room preparations and he gave me the honor, I would say, to be in charge of running the teleprompter for Mr. King throughout the show and during the promotion videos. We started at 4:30 with the promotion videos. At the beginning it was a little hard to control the speed of the teleprompter but after I got used to the speed Mr. King talks and everything went fine. I have to say I was a little bit nervous when we actually started recording the show with all the guests and panelist because I had to run the teleprompter as soon as the program started since the climate change definition was the first segment of the show. Overall, It was an incredible experience and I'm grateful to have had the chance to be part of this production.

Some of the interns with John King after the show

I can't wait to see what this internship has in store for me in the next couple of weeks and I'm already amazed with all the productions and work they do here at ETV. Everyone is so nice and welcoming. I'm ready to learn more and develop my skills in producing and writing as well as everything broadcast related. 


Quote of the Day:

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt.

See you next time :)
All the love. x
Vanessa