Spring Break
Juicy: The view from the inside
Samantha Gannon
Issue date: 9/8/08 Section: Focus
Welcome back, UConn students, and all of my avid "Juicy" readers. We are officially back in session. My passion for entertainment is undeniable and I thought I would enlighten all of you with how I spent my summer.
MTV - we have all heard of it. This company is the Mecca of everything entertainment and music. Don't ask me how, because I'm still in shock about my experience, but I was able to score an internship with MTV Networks this summer.
I never knew this until I worked there, but VIACOM sits at the top of the hierarchy and MTV Networks follows. Underneath MTV sits an umbrella of companies, including TV Land, Spike TV, Noggin, VH1, etc. I specifically worked for VH1 development.
We cannot deny the popularity of reality TV. Love it or hate it, this genre has made a name for itself by dominating network ratings.
So what did my duties consist of at VH1? I researched and assisted producers with plausible show concepts. "I Love New York," Celebrity Fit Club," "Hogan Knows Best" and "I Love Money" all got their start in the development department. And that's just the reality component.
I am glued to VH1 whenever there is a new episode of "The Fabulous Life of…" or "The Best Week Ever." All of these shows represent the voice of the channel. Participating in weekly development meetings, observing celebrity interviews and working an open casting call at Dave and Busters for a new reality show were just a few of the many tasks I was given.
I never realized the amount of work that goes into the production of a show, and most audiences don't take the time to appreciate the tedious work editors endure.
I was working with two producers on a particular pitch in which they had to produce an eight to 10 minute video presentation. In your mind, you're thinking an eight to 10 minute video should only take a few days to complete.
Try two and a half months. The development of a show is extremely complex and structured. VH1 received thousands and thousands of new pitches, and only a select amount fit the vibe of the channel. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most intelligent and creative people in the business.
Living in New York and working in Times Square every day was an unforgettable experience and one that I will take with me as I begin my senior year at UConn. My advice to anyone looking to break into the entertainment business would be to apply for an internship. Students tend to shy away from big companies such as MTV because they believe they don't stand a chance. Wrong. You never know until you put yourself out there.
Even though I'm a bit biased, I'm going to encourage all of you to watch VH1. I'm not allowed to dish the details, but some new shows will be premiering in the next couple of months. Be on the lookout.
MTV - we have all heard of it. This company is the Mecca of everything entertainment and music. Don't ask me how, because I'm still in shock about my experience, but I was able to score an internship with MTV Networks this summer.
I never knew this until I worked there, but VIACOM sits at the top of the hierarchy and MTV Networks follows. Underneath MTV sits an umbrella of companies, including TV Land, Spike TV, Noggin, VH1, etc. I specifically worked for VH1 development.
We cannot deny the popularity of reality TV. Love it or hate it, this genre has made a name for itself by dominating network ratings.
So what did my duties consist of at VH1? I researched and assisted producers with plausible show concepts. "I Love New York," Celebrity Fit Club," "Hogan Knows Best" and "I Love Money" all got their start in the development department. And that's just the reality component.
I am glued to VH1 whenever there is a new episode of "The Fabulous Life of…" or "The Best Week Ever." All of these shows represent the voice of the channel. Participating in weekly development meetings, observing celebrity interviews and working an open casting call at Dave and Busters for a new reality show were just a few of the many tasks I was given.
I never realized the amount of work that goes into the production of a show, and most audiences don't take the time to appreciate the tedious work editors endure.
I was working with two producers on a particular pitch in which they had to produce an eight to 10 minute video presentation. In your mind, you're thinking an eight to 10 minute video should only take a few days to complete.
Try two and a half months. The development of a show is extremely complex and structured. VH1 received thousands and thousands of new pitches, and only a select amount fit the vibe of the channel. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most intelligent and creative people in the business.
Living in New York and working in Times Square every day was an unforgettable experience and one that I will take with me as I begin my senior year at UConn. My advice to anyone looking to break into the entertainment business would be to apply for an internship. Students tend to shy away from big companies such as MTV because they believe they don't stand a chance. Wrong. You never know until you put yourself out there.
Even though I'm a bit biased, I'm going to encourage all of you to watch VH1. I'm not allowed to dish the details, but some new shows will be premiering in the next couple of months. Be on the lookout.
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