Sandra Bernhard

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012


     My Fellowship internship ended on Thursday, but I had the opportunity to help out with a special event today, so I figured I'd add it to the blog. Today the Bride welcomed comedian and vocal artist, Sandra Bernhard on her "I love being me, don't you?" tour. 

     The Painted Bride is known for bringing in local artists, so this show was a big undertaking. I helped out with Front of House work before the show (ushering, handing out programs, taking tickets, etc.), then got to sneak in and see most of her act. She is a very funny lady: sarcastic humor with some crude but amusing jokes, and she certainly held the attention of her audience. Following the opening night was a hotel reception and signing, so just before the act ended, I went with Cheryl and two other interns to the hotel to prepare. When guests starting arriving, I met Paul, the photographer and followed him around, taking names of people who were photographed for proper credit. This was a great way for me to meet people who are involved with the Bride and a chance to network. Ms. Bernhard was very gracious to allow photos with fans, both for personal cameras and for publicity shots. When Paul was finished taking pictures, I got to hang out with the band for a little while, which was really fun. 

     The event seemed to be a great success for the Painted Bride and Sandra has five more shows to go on our stage!

A Continuous Opportunity

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012


     Great news! I spoke with Cheryl today about the possibility of staying on as an intern throughout the upcoming semester as an opportunity to gain volunteer hours for my cooperation with Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania (SISPA). The Painted Bride is a non-profit organization, so qualifies for the SISPA hours and simultaneously expands my theatre education. The continuation of my internship is a go and Cheryl seems grateful to have the extra help. 
     In addition, as a regular intern, I'll be able to see the shows and events at the Bride and can utilize the space for personal work when I need someplace to go to do schoolwork, etc.
     It just keeps getting better.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Thursday, December 29th, 2011


     Although there's no real routine to follow, I know to begin working on whichever database that needs to be completed until I get instruction for a new task, so this morning I finished up the Charitable CFO's spreadsheet, doing a little extra research to find specific titles and email addresses. It gives me a nice kickstart to come in and get myself going right away without direction. A personal growth that I've been working on is taking initiative and asserting myself in a professional manner, so this is a great opportunity for me to practice. 
     It also keeps me in check : ) -next, I began the letter folding process. Each of these three hundred or so envelopes that I put the labels on gets a letter, an insert, and a return envelope wrapped around it. It's not difficult work of course, but is definitely time consuming.

     In the middle of folding, Cheryl asked if I wanted to take a break and see the matinee performance of children's show that is playing now! I just completed an Independent Study about children's theatre and was very excited to see Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Even better- my playwriting professor, Jackie Goldfinger, wrote this adaptation, and I was unable to see the dress rehearsal she invited the class to, so I was very grateful for this treat. The musical incorporated a live band, dance, and puppetry and the kids seemed to respond really well. : )

Day Two

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011


     Today I learned how to properly format an Excel Spreadsheet when inserting addresses, since much of the work I did yesterday was wrong...but it was a quick and easy fix and I was all squared away for the "Charitable CFO's of 2012" spreadsheet that I started today. Today's work was all about the spreadsheets. I edited my "Highest Paid CFO's" work, continued the local businesses one, and began the latest: Charitable CFO's. 
     I'm very glad to be learning the business aspects of theatre companies because I have not yet been introduced to this side of the theatre world. Creating databases and updating lists and getting in contact with really rich people is a core facet to running a company and crucial to it's development. Perhaps not as exhilarating as directing a show, but certainly just as important and equally challenging and time consuming. 
     I'm learning a great deal from this experience already, and I'm sure there is much more in store.

Hello Painted Bride!

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

"The Painted Bride Art Center collaborates with emerging and established artists to create, produce and present innovative work that affirms the intrinsic value of all cultures and celebrates the transformative power of the arts. Through performances and exhibitions, education and outreach, the Bride creates a forum for engagement centered on contemporary social issues."

     The Painted Bride Art Center's mission statement is everything I hope to one day accomplish in my own theatre company, so naturally, I was eager and excited to join their team for a couple of weeks! The idea of an interdisciplinary and collaborative art center focusing on contemporary social issues is exactly the kind of work that drives my initiative.

     Upon entering the building (which, may I add is only about 10 blocks from my house: another plus for convenience), I was greeted by a gleaming mosaic that spanned the entirety of the art center. Cheryl Carson is the Director of Development at the Bride and the woman with whom I am interning. She made me feel comfortable right away, assuring me that the environment is always "chill" and I should feel free to ask any questions at any time. I got started on some Excel Spreadsheet documents, updating lists of local businesses and their contact information. And important part of Cheryl's job is to invite neighborhood businesses to participate in events, fundraising, awareness opportunities, etc. This document is one I'll be working on throughout my time at the Bride when I have some time between more pressing projects.
     I made a dent in that work, and after an hour or so began on a new spreadsheet with information pertaining to the Highest Paid CFO's of 2012 in the Philadelphia area. Cheryl mentioned that it's important as a growing company to keep up to date on successful businesses, business owners and staff members. Not to mention, these are people with lots of money to donate to a great organization such as this one!
     In the meantime, Cheryl sent out a staff wide email, introducing myself and letting everyone know that I am eager to be "immersed" in everything the Bride has to offer. Right away, Lenny Seidman, the Music Curator conversed with me about his musical experience, upcoming shows of his group, and even his year at UArts. 
     Just before the day ended, I started my next task of preparing invitations for "Friends of the Bride" to be sent out. More than three hundred letters are printed and waiting to be sent. Can't wait to finish it up tomorrow!


http://www.paintedbride.org/

Chelsea Piers CBS Sports Photo Shoot/Closing Thoughts

Monday, August 15th, which coincidentally was my birthday, I took the train into the city and then proceeded to walk to Chelsea Piers where the photo shoot was being held. Piers 60 was where the CBS Sports Center was located. Once walking into the building, John the photographer and Paula, CBS’ Picture Producer were there setting up the photo shoot. The interns were in charge of helping John set up the lights and backdrop. A useful tip I learned to get wrinkles out of your backdrop: spray it with water!

The men John was photographing were sports anchors/analysts for College Sports: Randy Cross, Brian Jones, Aaron Taylor, Rich Rodriguez and Adam Zucker. All the men were so charismatic and easy to photograph. John instructed each of the talent (how they refer to who is being photographed) All the sports analysts were decked out in their best suits and were instructed to pose straight on, angled to the right, left, holding a football and sitting in a chair. I was in charge of holding the reflectors, and ‘blotting’ there faces. The other interns held up other reflectors and moved the props around.

Other people who worked at the CBS Sports Center at Pier 60 were busily at work. After all the talent was photographed, they had to get ready for their show which was airing live. There set was on the other side of the room tucked away. You could hear them airing the show live as they all discussed college football. So, my last photo shoot and last official day interning at CBS came to a close. I said goodbye to Paula, John and the other interns, Casey, Ashlee and Elana. It was a nice way to end my internship and made my birthday very memorable.

Summer is coming to a close and I’m excited to be going back to UArts. Being a CBS photo intern has taught me so much and has left me with such great memories and great life lessons that I will carry on into my college career and future intern experiences. Even if it was only for a summer this was my first internship and I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed myself and have gained so much. Now things can only get better from here.

Last day at CBS

So Thursday was my last day at the CBS office. Nancy had so kindly ordered bagels as we all sat around chatting. It was a nice little goodbye get together. It’s hard to think that I won’t be going back to the Black Rock building and commuting into this city three days a week. I can say that this experience was one that I will never forget. Not only have I learned so much about what it’s like to work in the corporate world of photography but I also made great connections and friendships along the way.

Over the course of the last six weeks I have learned to not only commute into the city, but have gotten to see what it’s like to catalog items in the archiving department and also visit Laumont (a printing company that works for CBS). I have been able to edit photos for CBS television shows and have had the opportunity to attend two photoshoots, The Good Wife and for CBS Sports (which I’ll discuss in my last blog post)

It’s hard to also think that the summer has come and gone so quickly. But now I have the education, skills and prior experience to go into my sophomore feeling more confident about future internships and other jobs I will apply for. With the help of the Emerging Leaders Program I have learned that networking is such an important tool and that by asking questions, being proactive, friendly and acting professional gets you far.

I would like to thank Paula Breck, Dave Lombard, Nancy Eichenbaum as well as the rest of the CBS photo staff for being so warm and welcoming during my stay at CBS. This internship makes me even more confident about the profession I want to go into and has me more excited about all the other opportunities that are in store for me in the future.