I started my internship at Good Morning America on January 23. I work in the ABC building on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. I attend work two days a week, although I intend to go all of next week during break. I am very happy with this internship because the people who work at GMA are wonderful. They have all been extremely nice to me and have shown me around so that I have a better understanding of how the show runs.
On my first day, I met my boss who is Maria Licari. She showed me my cubicle, which was amazing because I didn't think I'd have my own desk. She then proceeded to give me a tour of GMA's two floors, and also the ABC building in general. There are times when I have to go to different areas of the building, rather than staying on my floor. I also met another intern who is there the same days as me and we became friends right away. My first day was spent learning the building, and then I met some of the producers of the show. After the tour, the producer in charge of the food segments, asked me to open mail and sort out letters written by viewers pertaining to a Valentine's Day contest. I had to read a lot of mail and sort the possible winners from the rest. This took me a couple of hours because there were bags full of letters.
After doing that, she asked my opinion and I told her the letters that I thought were good. Later in the afternoon, another producer called my boss and told her she needed an intern to help with some research for an upcoming segment on the show. I met another producer, Kristen Strand, who explained to me that she was doing a segment on Rod Stewart and needed me to get all the information I could on him and his career. I also had to get pictures and video of him. This seemed a little overwhelming to me because, after all, it was only my first day. She had me make phone calls to different companies in Manhattan requesting these photos. I managed to get through it with a little direction from my boss. I also learned how to get deliveries to and from GMA. Having to do the research introduced me to other people at GMA who were very helpful. My first day was interesting and busy. I was worried that I wouldn't be given "actual" work to do, but that wasn't the case. I felt as though my work was important to the show.
After the first day, things got easier. One day, I was asked to go on the set of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" as an extra. It was celebrity week and the set needed to be tested before the contestants arrived. So I went with another intern and spent three hours sitting on the set, acting out the parts of the actual player. It was truly a memorable experience. (I also met Regis) Being there and seeing it on TV was such an odd feeling. One of the reasons I enjoy my internship, is because everyday brings a new experience. You never know where you'll be working that day or whom you will meet. I have already met Charlie Gibson (host of GMA) and other newscasters from channel 7.
I have also learned how to log video tapes which entails scanning through video, searching for particular scenes, and then I have to take down the counter and type it up. This is boring but it's an important part of getting information on possible segments. I have also attended three production meetings, which was very interesting. Here, they go over the next day's schedule and who the producers are for that particular segment. I have learned that a lot of hard work, research, and preparation go on before anything can be aired. It's not as simple as just appearing on TV. I have also learned transcribing, which entails watching a video and typing down word for word everything that is said.
Last Thursday, I did my first animation. It was interesting to see how it's done. For this, you must go to another floor where someone helps you frame still pictures. I'm not exactly sure what the finished product will look like, but I spent an hour setting up different shots of these stills. That was something I had never seen before. On my second day, I was asked if I would like to go to the studio early in the morning to help out at a hot chocolate taste testing. It was done outside Times Square and I went at 6am. We were there for a few hours and people off the street were asked if they'd like to be a part of the segment. As the intern, I had to serve the people and basically help the producers with the preparations and props.
Overall, I a ,m enjoying my internship at Good Morning America. I have learned many new things that I feel only experience can teach. Although I have taken many communication courses at St. John's, nothing is like actually doing the work and seeing first hand how the show is put together. It really is a team effort.