Hello Hello from New York City!!
Quick introduction before we get this blog on the road! I’m Alana, and I am currently an intern at Scottish jewelry company MaeVona in the heart of Manhattan! During my internship, I will be working with the sales and marketing team, filming and producing a number of short films promoting the brand and designs for social media and other online outlets. I’m studying Broadcast Production at uni and this internship is a great opportunity to use the filmmaking skills I have acquired at uni and use them as part of a marketing and advertising strategy in an ever-growing business.
I started work on Monday 20th June. On Sunday, I had gone for a wander to get to know the area my new office was in to make sure I knew where I was going on Monday morning! I woke up ridiculously early on Monday – I don’t know whether it was nerves or excitement because I can assure you, I am in no way, shape or form a morning person at home!! So I decided to get up, get ready and head out for breakfast at one of the local cafes. I looked at my watch and realized I still had another half an hour before the office opened – and was only a few blocks away! So I wandered along Madison Avenue and got the building at 08:45hrs. Standing outside the building, I took a deep breath and went through the doors, to the elevator, up to one of the top levels of the building and arrived at the door of the MaeVona office. This was it! Just as I was about to ring the buzzer, a friendly face came from around the corner and said, “You must be our intern!” We went into the office and there I was met by MaeVona designer and president (and fellow Scot!) Maeve Gillies. I hadn’t even been in the office 15 minutes and had already been welcomed into ‘the MaeVona family’ – I knew from the start I was going to love it here! I was introduced to the other girls in the office and had a great discussion with Maeve and Julie, the Sales and Marketing Manager – it was more like a conversation with friends than a meeting with my bosses!! I spoke to both Maeve and Julie during my phone interview and couldn’t believe that I was actually there sitting with them in person discussing the next eight weeks at MaeVona!
Monday consisted of research – and trying on lots of stunning jewelry! I have my own desk with brand new video equipment just for me to use! (I know, right!? Who would have thought little old me would have my own desk in an office on Madison Avenue!! Check me oooout!) Like a kid in a candy store! But Monday also taught me a valuable lesson – do not rely solely on the Internet!! The MaeVona offices lost all Internet connection on Thursday night after a big storm in NYC and still no access on Monday! Everyone was freaking out! The majority of the work is done via the Internet and via e-mail and when neither are available, the stress levels go up! the girls kept apologizing for my first day being surrounded my internet related drama, but I was quite happy reading up on all the MaeVona literature and getting to know everyone! Maeve thought it would be a good idea for me to go with Production Coordinator Barbara for a walk to ‘The Street’ to see the workshops and learn about how the jewelry is made and the process each individual piece goes. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed getting to go to the different specialist workshops and see different pieces in different stages of completion! I discussed with Barbara a possible film of ‘How it’s made’ and we could really see it coming to life! When 17:00hrs approached, I couldn’t believe my first day as an intern was over! It went so quickly! I felt so welcomed into the company and very optimistic of the upcoming 8 weeks! And the shortbread (aka “Scottish Cookies”) went down a treat!
Day two at MaeVona and it was time to plan my first film! After a brainstorming session, it was agreed that to allow me to get familiar with the camera and editing facilities, I would make a short film with one of the girls in the office, talking about MaeVona. We headed out to Bryant Park and found a quiet spot (well, as quiet as they come in NYC!) to shoot the project. I had a great time, and really enjoyed shooting this piece! When we got back to the office, I got cracking with the editing and had it finished by closing time! We had a mini screening in the office and everyone was really happy with the results! Maeve had been out of the office for the afternoon, but just as Julie and I were about to email to film to her, she arrived and we got to watch it again! I felt a bit nervous as I was really hoping Maeve would like the film – even though it was just a practice! She did! She was really impressed and that gave me a great confidence boost!
I am spending the rest of the week researching and brainstorming, exploring different ideas and angles to focus my films on. We are planning some more interviews within the office too. This is a great chance to not only get familiar with the equipment, but to get to know everyone a bit better. One thing I’m also trying to get familiar with is the different spellings over here – particularly of ‘jewelry’, ‘favorite’ and ‘color’ … they just don’t look right to me! But if that’s the only work related obstacle I’ve come across so far, I can’t complain!
I have had a fantastic first few days as an intern and am really looking forward to my time here at MaeVona. There are a lot of exciting things being planned over the next eight weeks and I am so thrilled to be a part of them!
Besides work, I have been enjoying exploring the Big Apple! I think I’m slowly but surely losing my ‘tourist’ look!
So I’ll wrap up blog number one here! It was great meeting all the other 2011 scholars at the induction on the 16th! I hope all the preparations are going well and your looking forward to your internships!
Lets make this a summer to remember!
Until next time!
A xo