Well, soon I am going to have to wrap things up here at Parkside Headquarters. Over my one and a half weak period with the Parks Show, I have learned and accomplished A LOT. It has been one of the best experiences of my life. I do not know how I could thank everyone who spent their time working with me to help me become the Parkstar. Because of all their hard work, the show ended up the way it did – magnificent – and I am glad it ended up that way. I have learned and benefited a lot from this experience and would like to share.
At first, I was really nervous… even during the auditions. I did not think that I would do too well that morning. However, once I arrived at the Agricultural History Farm Park (where I tried out) and entered the audition room, I felt very welcome. That’s when I met Kathy for the first time. She seemed very nice… and she was.
Later to find out that I was one of the five finalists made me very excited. I did everything that I could to win the online voting session. To tell you the truth, I made about 400 slips telling people to vote for me (and where to go to vote of course) and handed them out. Then I made about 10 flyers to hand out around the school. I had to have no regrets if I were to lose. But, I guess all of that hard work paid off, because sure enough I won the competition. It was a great day for me at school. All of my friends were congratulating on my accomplishment, and it made me even more excited. I was not nervous until the day that I actually had to go and get situated here at Parkside.
Sure enough, however, I went to Parkside Headquarters, met Kelli, and I think I got off to a good start. After my meeting with her, I sat down at my desk with plenty of work to do. Honestly, I enjoyed every single part of that day and the days to come. The next week I was in and out of Parkside. In the morning I would get things ready (i.e. setting up interviews, editing scripts, etc.) and then at 10:00am, Kelli and I would get going and meet up with Kathy and the camera crew at the location of the day. Although it became very exhausting, I still really enjoyed myself that week.
I learned a lot about TV production, about the cameras, lights, and the editing. After one of the days of filming, I actually got to go to the Montgomery County Council building, were CCM or County Cable Montgomery is situated, and watch the editor go to work. I enjoyed watching the whole phenomenon. Afterwards I sat with Kathy and watched her as she logged the tape we had used that week. TV production is not easy; it takes a lot of time, hard work, and commitment. Because of this experience, I am really thinking deeply about pursuing a career in broadcast journalism, and even hope that one day, I can do this kind of work for a living.
