Internship Experience

Total of Hours is 223 hours and 45 minutes

I am a senior in high school getting a degree in communication tracking in media

production with a minor in Photography. I did an internship at PAC 14. PAC 14 stands for Public

Access Channel for Salisbury and Wicomico County in Maryland. PAC 14 is a non-profit

organization and gives local residents and non-profit organizations.

I am extremely happy I was able to learn a new editing platform Final Cut Pro. My first

project was to edit Memorial Day Service. The main focus with the project was learning and

understanding the concept of how to use Final Cut Pro. I learned how to create and edit the

audio. The number one aspect that I struggled on was editing the audio. The audio was

inconsistent so I chopped up the audio and leveled it which did not work out so well. So I started

all over again. It was too choppy and I trimmed up the audio too much. I learned that it’s ok

because I was able to get a better understanding on how to adjust the audio levels.Staring over

gives me an opportunity to make the video sound twenty times better. The main goal for the

video was to create the perfect video so I can honor those who have lost their lives in the war and

for those who have served their country.

I was able to improve tremendously on editing the audio.I learned how to mix the same

track for the speakers that pronounced or said the wrong words. For example, one of the speakers

said Edward Smithwhen the name was actually Edward F. Smith. So the speaker forgot to say F.

The steps I took to find any other places that he said F. Once I found him saying F. The main

important thing was to make sure the F was said by the same speaker because we want the voice

to be consistent with the speakers. I copied the audio where he said F, and then I placed it

between the sequence a placed the F between Edward Smith and made it turn into him saying
Edward F. Smith. Another example is where another gentleman said Sgt. Hugh P. Free, but it's

supposed to be Lt. Hugh P. Freeman. So I looked for where he said Lt and Freeman. And I took

the same steps as I did for Edward F. Smith. I learned how to lip sync which helped a lot when I

created a non-profit video later on. When one of my videos got corrupted, I got to learn a new

program that was able to fix the video called Hand Break which is a file converter mainly used

for videos.

I learned what Station ID’S and how to create them. Station IDs are generally used in

radio, networks, and television stations. It’s a short clip that is put into empty space gaps to eat

up time. For example it could be from five seconds to three minutes. Station ID’s generally show

the views on air of what network, television stations, and radio. For this case I was making

Station ID’s for PAC 14 which is a television station. I have created over 10 Station ID’s. I

struggled a while with Station ID’s. I had trouble trying to understand what to identify or what

catchy words to put on the video. So one of my goals in the future is to get a better and clearer

understanding of the full definition. I just need to keep more of an open mind. As I was learning

how to create Station ID’s, I got introduced to Apple Motion where you can create all the

graphics just like Adobe After Effects. Majority of the graphics were basically already preset and

made for you. They even have 3D objects that you can have flying in or out. I generally used

Apple Motion for title graphics.

Some tips I learned through the process is if you're moving the camera from left and right

and doing a panning shot, make sure to use your hip movements. Not the arms. When I used my

hips to pan with the movement, it made the shot so much more study and not shaky. Some other

tips I learned was whenever you edit, lay out your audio and footage before you adjust the color

levels, add any graphics, titles, or transitions. So then you won’t have to start over all the way
from the beginning. However the number one aspect is you must have an understanding of clear

viewing how you want the video to look like. When you take out a video, make sure you

consider what to replace it with and that it goes with the message that you are trying to create.

After learning and understanding Final Cut Pro I moved on to create a new video called

“Where Are You”. “Where Are You” is a game where the viewer has to guess where we are at

however it has to be someplace in Salisbury of Wicomico. Such as I made three different “Where

Are You” which were Winter Place Park & Equestrian Center, Hoppers which was a practice,

and Gurrio Center at Salisbury University. The main focus was getting extreme close ups and

shots with different unique angles from the specific location making sure that the viewer can’t

identify where you are. The video can average about one minute to three minutes.

Throughout creating the “Where Are You” videos I learned different editing strategies

and techniques. Whenever you're trying to go with the beat, it's ok to make the fading go slower.

Then you get a nice consistency with the framing and beats. I learned how to use keyframes on

Final Cut pro which helped dim the exposure, so you could read the words better in the video.

Another aspect I learned about keyframes is on how to change the scale size frames to zoom in

and out as the shot continues to play. The concept is very similar to Adobe Premiere, it's just

located in different spots.

One of the “Where Are You” which was hoppers, I got to learn how to create a 3D

cricket. First I made the 3D form. Then I imported it into Adobe Photoshope and used the bucket

paint to make the whole cricket green. After I made the cricket green I grabbed the paint brush

and made the eyes and sharpened some details. Once I exported the cricket, I imported it to

motion and added effects so the cricket would move. It didn’t go out so well. Instead of making

the cricket jump like I was hoping on it. It just glides through the screen. The fact I was able to
create a 3D cricket even though it didn’t go out as planned made me happy. If I had more time I

believe I would have had it. But either way I am very happy with the outcome of the whole

video.

Out of all the projects I had done, my favorite was the non-profit video I created as a

public service announcement. I haven't ever made a non-profit video. I am extremely proud of

how it came out. I wanted to make a video about drug addicts, alcoholics and such showing

them that there is a place where they can get help. I had to make different businesses to clarify if

they were a non-profit that were located in Salisbury or somewhere in Wicomico. Out of the five

places I called, there was only one non-profit organization called Resource Recovery Center.

I emailed the head director of the Recovery Resource Center and asked if I could create a

video to promote their non-profit organizations and he said he would love to hear my ideas so I

set up a team to meet him at his office. Before I went over I brainstormed on a piece a paper of

what were my main goals that I wanted to get out of the video. What was the main idea and

concept. Why should people go get help from them instead of another place? The number one

goal is to get out a clear message and I feel like I succeeded. I learned how to use my

communication skills and made sure I listened hard on what the client wanted to see.

So originally my client had a video made already during when the pandemic was

happening. So I asked him if we could create a video similar to what he made but post pandemic.

He seemed very thrilled and excited to work with me. We started the video with a wide shot and

ended it in a wide shot to make it consistent. I used a tripod, camera, and a body mic. It was a

really great experience. I used verbal communication and directed on what I wanted. I made sure

to get the video approved by my client, and I am very proud I was able to give back to the non-

profit organization for supporting others in need. As soon as we did the recording, I finished
editing the video within the next day. What helped to have the process go nice and fast was the

planning ahead. I appreciate every feedback I received, so I could make it the best video to my

ability and make sure he was satisfied and happy with the final product. One part that I need to

focus better on next time is audio. The audio was way to load.

I did get myself in a pickle with my client however, so I asked my other producers on

how I should approach the client. The email said “Very impressive! Even more considering how

fast you got this completed. I really like it”. I was very proud of the feedback I received.

However his next phrasing was concerning when he said “...It would be great to meet with you

first thing next week to watch the video together”. I know he didn’t have any intentions, but I

had to play it smart. I asked my producers what would be the best way to approach this. So

instead of saying yes, I had made a compromise. I emailed him back, and said “I would love to

watch the video together. It would even be better if you came down here at PAC 14, so we could

edit the video together”. Then If anything were to happen, the producers were there to have my

back and we could get it done a lot faster. He emailed me back and said it was alright, and that I

had approval to air it.

However, two weeks later he agreed to come to PAC 14 to have it perfected to his

standards. We changed the song choice. The audio levels got evened out. The words on the

slides, we turned it to a light purple instead of the dark purple and changed the text size bigger.

We also added a slower fade out to the ending making sure he was not cut off while he was still

speaking. Overall I believe I was able to make my client happy with the hard work and great

planning for the public service announcement, the ending making sure he was not cut off while

he was still speaking. Overall I believe I was able to make my client happy with the hard work I

put into the video.

Wicomico County and recorded 4 dogs talking about and giving information about the dogs. We

recorded 4 dogs named Cracker Jack, Miley, Marge, and Aspen. It was very tricky recording

them because all they wanted to do was sniff and go to the bathroom. Their main focus was

trying to show their friendly and quirky side. So we had to be on our feet ready to record and

distract them to get their attention. It was a really great experience and getting out there again.

Shannon Wilson, who is the other intern and I started creating and brainstorming for the

funny short video we made for the Ocean City Film Festival. Shannon and I decided that she

was going to create the storyboard and edit the video, while I would be the director and film

down in ocean city. When we decided that I was the videographer I got a little frustrated. Not

because I didn’t want to do it, but because I didn’t have a lot of open opportunities or much

availability because I was working and doing my internship. And worked 7 days a week. The

other issue was when my actor was available to shoot.

The first day I met with the actor who was Garretr Birsa, we only recorded audio because

of the time restraints before he had to go to work. I used the Zoom Audio Recorder the whole

time I was recording him speaking. Making sure we got a clear voice over. The other reason I

didn’t want to shoot that day was, because I wanted consistent lighting and we were not in Ocean

City. Everything had to be recorded in Ocean City, Or we wouldn’t be able to submit the video.

The other main reason was because I remember my internship and one of my professors said that

every shot should be almost the same to make it look more professional.
 On the next day I was able to get my boyfriend Bradley Preller, and Garret to be my

actors at the beach. I was able to get a kid to be an actor too. Due to the fact that he is a minor the

parents asked me not to share his name. I made sure I used my words carefully which was what

convinced the parents to allow him to be a part of the film. I also made a compromise with the

kid too. If he was able to help us, he could have the bucket and sand shovel after words. At first

his mother said no because her child wasn’t feeling well, but luckily the child saw us and said he

wanted to do it.

After we recorded Garret destroying the sand castle, the first thing he did was grab the

bucket and shovel and left. I went up to him and tried to shake his hand but he didn’t care. He

said he just wanted the bucket. I made sure to thank his mother for allowing me to use him in the

film. The number one part we struggled with was getting a child to allow us to record them

eating ice cream and then Garret pretending to steal the ice cream. However, they would get to

keep the ice cream. I heard a parent talking to their child asking them if she wanted to get ice

cream. And that's when I thought this was my opportunity but the father said sorry but they don’t

want their daughter to be in it which I understand. So we asked a couple of parents that had

children and still got no. So then I decided that we just might need to ask a teenager and luckily

we found a girl that said she would love being in the film. I got her contact so I can give her the

video once I am allowed too.

limit. And my number one focus was getting enough of the videos that we needed. So in the

future I will make sure to get enough footage for b-rolls. I also got confused where we were

supposed to record. But I made sure to redo the shots so it would be in the proper location and

settings. The third incident was the last audio part when the noise of the background sounds

100% different then the other audio. So in the future I will make sure we are in the same area

always and have the same background noise to keep consistent. Next time instead of creating the

video at the last minute. I want to make sure we have more time to focus on the video. The

mistake is that we waited till the last minute which made it harder and more nerve racking

because I wanted it to be perfect. I love how the whole video turned out. It was a totally new

recording film noir. However, I had a great time learning about the new way of shooting.

I appreciate the amazing experience. I am glad that I chose PAC 14 because I learned

how to use Zoom, new editing and animation programs. I gotta really work with my

communication skills with all different games. Not just adults. Everyone was so friendly and

honest. I learned how to make videos even better and different styles. I will miss PAC 14, and

will always remember the amazing experience I have gained. Thank you so much for having me

as an intern at PAC 14. I will always bring the experience and what I learned with me and never

forget.