I did promise to start writing my blogs daily if not weekly, but joggling a PhD and an internship doesn't leave much time for anything else.
Week four
This week started quite easy with a bank holiday Monday. Tuesday, I started the painstaking task of researching Nicholai 'Nicky' Hilton.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against the Hilton sisters like most people do. My lack of enthusiasm lies in the fact that I did not agree with the choice of Nicky Hilton in a line up next too other credible fashion icons like Tom Ford, Sir Paul Smith etc.
What further added to my feeling on this was that, unbelievably, there was minimal research available on the Internet about Miss Hilton's career in fashion. There were, however, lots of pointless, socialite type articles on the heiress, but very little on the more worthwhile information on her.
Just for the sake of clarity, I do admire the Hilton sisters, yes they are extremely rich, and yes they do appear to be ridiculously spoilt amongst other things, however, we must not forget to give them credit for making use (good or bad) of their heritage. According to statistics, with their own ventures, they are able to maintain their life-styles even if they were to loose their Hilton heritage. Clearly, that says to me, they do have a brain after all.
Another painstaking task I had to take on was framing two documents for PB. The requirements was 'nothing tacky', so I went for it without thought for cost. Lets hope my taste does not translate to tacky in his books.
Now to more intellectually challenging stuff.
After reading my last blog, one of my fellow colleagues raised the point that TV is not all about contacts. His argument comes from my previous statement that 'we all know how important contacts are'. I had to explain to him that for students starting out, as well as being able to show examples of their work, it is also important to build contacts that they can show those works to.
Anyway, in view of this, I want to raise the question to all those starting out in the wonderful world of television, and media as a whole, and those that are already in the race. What is the most important thing to focus on as you begin your media journey?
I must say, before I started this internship, I did have a sort of fantasy of what the working environment would be like. But, to be honest, it's just like any other work place, only more fast paced and requiring a lot of creativity.
I think when we prepare ourselves for our career in the media, we tend to expect too much of the industry, and yes, it is very exciting and creative etc, but it is also true what they say... it's not as glamorous behind the scenes as it seems. So, that question again, what is TV all about. The question is not specific on purpose!
On the train home, I met an American fella! Not what you're thinking!!!
After the usual pleasantries, we got talking about the socio-political problems of the world. After the usual talks about race, economy, Africa, etc, we concluded that most of the world's sectional problems that we usually put down to issues of race is actually usually socio-economically related. Is that true do you think? Is the issue of class a bigger problem than that of race? Or do they work hand in hand?
Thursday, I confirmed I will be shadowing another presenter, lets hope it's as fruitful as the last one.
Friday morning, I went on a recce with my producer, and spent the rest of the day working on my PTC script.
I have decided to take advantage of the facilities at the station, and use the opportunity to show my abilities as a presenter. So... I'm working on a PTC on Anthony Gormley's 'Event Horizon' exhibition, which features 31 life-sized statues of the artist's body dotted along rooftops of the South bank. I can't wait, and to be honest, I don't know why I never thought to make use of the facilities available to me at the university to build my show reel.
If there's one thing that my colleague would definitely agree with me on, it's the value of a good show reel, something that can fully demonstrate your potentials in this industry.
Friday night, my ladies and I met for drinks after work. This time, the conversation went along the way of women in the media.
For years, women have fought for equality at home and in the work place, and carried the notion that 'we can do both'. Now that we have (or seem to have) that liberty, it seems we may be becoming that which we detested.
That night after work, we all expressed our surprise that most women in the media (not wanting to speak for other industries) seem to have left the issue of starting a family until their late 30s, or even later,or never at all.
We all asked ourselves if we would be willing to make that sacrifice.
My answer is no!!
The fight originally was that we can do both; so, why aren't we. Why have we chosen to drop one for the other? Do the issue of culture (family culture that is) have any hand in this? Have we indirectly proven that, yes, we can work as efficiently and are as intelligent as men, and yes we can be mothers, but perhaps doing both AND climbing the ladder may not be as we thought? Or is it the society that prevents us from doing both, or perhaps a culture in a given place prevents the women from doing both? How is it in your culture?
My week ended with the disappointing cancellation of my driving test. Now I have to start that annoying journey of trying to get compensation!!! Oh DSA...
