This summer I secured an internship with the Sets and Lighting Department at HSN.  I helped construct the sets used in HSN programs ranging from the initial build of elements in the scenic shop to the final dress–when the props and decoration are positioned –before a program goes on the air. I also help store and deliver props and decorations from the Scenic Warehouse as well as touching-up the sets of HSN live programs. 

My Biggest Aha! Moment 

When I left the studio the previous day the set still needed paint and trim.  Also many other elements had to be installed.  I had no idea what I was going to see when it was finally finished because I didn’t know how to read the plot that determined the work.  The next day when I saw the set from the comfort of my own home on my own television, I was WOWED when I saw this elaborate, colorful set that I actually helped create from scratch.  Sometimes it’s good to just go with flow!

The Work

This work can be difficult and sometimes even dirty, but none-the-less I find all of these tasks enlightening.  Each day I learn about how intricate and diverse HSN is as an industry.  This is also a very educational experience for me because as a result of this internship I have more skills and talents to offer future employers, to be completely honest, there is nothing like seeing something you helped create.  What was once just three pieces of wood becomes a set to be broadcasted GLOBALLY!

The Most Memorable Moment

I’ve had several tours of the HSN campus.   Each tour leaves my head spinning!  Aside from the bewilderment of traveling around a campus of this size, the tours left an impression on me. I saw a totally different part of retail and narrative that I’ve never seen. This unified group of workers ranges from armies of models to nerdy gaffers; from marketing planners to camera operators; from scenic carpenters to executive housewives who supply merchandise to HSN, make-up the HSN commodity.

I really want emphasize my use of the term commodity because on one particular day during my internship it became a meaningful word.   On that day a group of identical blonde models were escorted through a cold, dark studio and I was reprimanded by the broadcasting director for walking through the “Before and After” shooting.  Following this moment I met a group of carpenters building a gigantic white set, speaking in a strange jargon, with their constant jokes and hardworking manner.  In the middle of this work environment they allowed this 21 year old dorky cinefile spend the summer with them. I realized on that day, at that moment that HSN is itself, a commodity.  HSN’s drive to make a product desirable through the medium of visual broadcasting provides a variety of many employment opportunities as well as a unique experience for their audience down to smallest detail. Most of the customers will not notice these small artistic details, even though they are fully succumbing to them subconsciously, but not me, after this semester, not me. 

The Future

Sadly, I will be leaving HSN (for the time being at least) but I will cherish these past two months forever. After this internship I plan on having a brief vacation until I begin pursuing my Bachelors at the University of Tampa on August 25th.

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I am working with Clearwater based Ebaru Publishing as an unpaid intern. As of today (July 1, 2014), I am about half-way through the schedule of tasks planned for the summer. I’m working closely with Eden Vaning, who is the CEO and author of three best-selling instructional series of books for violin, viola and cello. In its 20-year history, the company has worked primarily in the print media, though it does maintain a website to support book sales. The books, which take a player from novice through intermediate level, contain a thorough self-explanatory curriculum that can be followed successfully by students with no prior music training or experience.

 In addition to selling books to adults who want to learn to play a string instrument (or to teach their children), Ms. Vaning has headed a program at the Highpoint YMCA for several years, which is dedicated to teaching music to underprivileged children. The Y program has been very successful, so Ms. Vaning would like to facilitate the formation of additional similar groups. Since she will not be able to be present to get other groups started, group leaders and students will have to rely solely on the materials for instruction. To increase the chances of success, Ms. Vaning is adding video to the instructional lineup.  That’s where I come in.           

Pre-Production-I am working as a production assistant for a video series that is presently in the planning stages. So far I have been present at all of the production meetings. I’ve gathered information about equipment and materiel that will be needed to complete the project, contacted companies or individuals to discuss costume creation (for the publisher’s raccoon mascot), and assisted with casting and scheduling locations. I also have the opportunity to work on other phases of the project.            

Writing-Ms. Vaning has completed her outline and notes for the first half of the script for the first video. I am writing the first draft of the script. 

Animation-  I suggested using animation to bring some of the illustrations in the books to life. I made a short Flash video (using book illustrations as source material). The material instructs a student on proper hand position for using a bow. In the animation, a tiny princess falls from the player’s hand because he straightens his thumb, which should be bent as he holds the bow. I had to brainstorm what to do with the princess after she falls. We couldn’t have the princess just hit the ground and go “splat” because the aesthetic of the books is geared toward young children. So, I created some flowers in PhotoShop, which bounce when she lands on them, accompanied by a “boing” sound effect.           

Videography-Ebaru does videography in-house, but to date this has been limited to recording student and professional recitals and performances. I will have the opportunity to shoot the first bits of instructional video – clips for the website – demonstrating how to properly hold the violin and bow and correct posture and stance. When their 1990’s vintage website is redesigned (that’s in the works), my animated videos will have a home as well.  

 What’s Next?-I’m going for my master’s degree next. The program I’ll be starting in September is an M.A. in English creative writing program with a screenwriting track. I will continue to take classes at SPC every term as well. I would like to take classes one by one in the digital media production program.  I have admired Ebaru’s lineup of books for years. I’ve been involved in selling them at trade shows and conventions, so I’ve spoken first-hand to parents and students who have had success using them. It’s been a real thrill to be a small part of the creative team during this summer internship as Ebaru expands from all print to multimedia formats. The most memorable moment was seeing Ms. Vaning’s reaction to the animated video of the “don’t straighten your thumb” lesson from Violin Book I. I turned her small line drawing of a hand holding a bow with a tiny princess sitting in the crook of the player’s thumb into a big bright full-color animation. The author watched as the thumb straightened, the princess fell (with a startled squeal), and landed in a garden full of bright, bouncy blossoms. The resultant laughter and applause and multiple requests for encores were music to my ears!   I would like to do more projects like this animation because I really enjoy working with simple shapes and bright colors and creating sound tracks.

 Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern