Well, I've got two weeks left of undergrad, and I keep having to reassure myself that I know what I'm doing. There comes a point in your life where you don't rely on anyone else to make decisions about your life except yourself. For me, that's right now--when my parents no longer finance my life. So how do I know what's right for me when my parents have been influencing my decisions for the past 22 years?
The answer is, of course, that there's no way to tell for sure. You just have to trust your gut and know that no one else had their life figured out at this age either.
I'm someone that's always striving for more and pushing harder and never settling, and it's hard to grasp the concept that I've settled...for now. I've dreamt of New York City for a long time, and to have closed that door for now wears on me every once in awhile. I'll make it there someday. I know it in my gut. I also know that if I'm going to get a job in my field, I need to be in Nashville. I need to work my way up in Music City, pay cheaper rent, pay off loans, and my path to New York will carve itself out somewhere down the road.
I love Nashville to death, but my soul will always wander to New York until I can be there. Wait for me, please.
I recently accepted an internship at Taillight TV in Nashville, TN for this summer, and I thought I should share my story of how I got this internship.
I interned in Nashville last summer at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. It was a wonderful internship where I got to answer phone calls, learn Ticketmaster, manage social media accounts, and even design a new sales kit for the managers to use.
One day, I answered a phone call when no one else was in the office. The man that called is named Brandon, and he is a music video director. He said that he had shot a video in our exhibition hall once, and he was considering doing it again. He wanted to come by and take pictures. I told him that I could save him a trip and E-mail the pictures I already had saved on my computer.
So, I sent Brandon an E-mail with some pictures attached. Then, I took a risk. I've been working very hard to correct my shyness, realizing that that behavior will get me nowhere in the music industry. I introduced myself as the intern and asked if I could help out on his video shoot, and I sent my E-mail.
HE SAID YES.
That's right. Just because I took a risk and asked to work and learn on this shoot, he said, "Okay." That was something I could honestly say I didn't expect.
Brandon sent my contact information (conveniently placed in my E-mail signature) over to Leah, Taillight TV's Production Coordinator. She got me all set up to work on set.
Here's the Randy Travis "Everything and All" video:
(I would've embedded the video if Blogspot were working correctly)
The day after I worked on this set, I sent a Thank You E-mail to both Brandon and Leah for being gracious enough to let me work on their set. They completely took a risk by letting me do that, and I am forever in their debt. It only takes one awesome person to trust you enough and open a door for you, and I wouldn't be where I am now without them doing that for me.
Again, I E-mailed Leah as soon as I saw the music video on YouTube. I asked her about an internship, and she said to send my resume to her. I waited until after Autumn aLive, our fall concert, to E-mail Leah again. I told her about our show and asked about my resume. She responded enthusiastically, but she also asked me if I had any experience in Final Cut, shooting, editing and Photoshop.
Well, the Photoshop I had down, but the rest, not so much. I made it my mission to learn Final Cut and learn more about making music videos. For our spring concert, Turn Up the Good, the planning committee made a video about sticking promotional stickers on personal items versus public property. I jumped to edit this video and learn Final Cut.
Here's how that turned out:
The day after this went up, I E-mailed Leah again with a link to this video. She called me the week after and told me that I had put in so much leg work already that they would love to have me intern at Taillight.
It all started with a chance phone call and taking a risk. After that came a lot of hard work, first on set and then months after.
What I've learned from this:
Be grateful when someone gives you something they didn't have to, and SAY THANK YOU.
Just because you think you'll get a position, doesn't mean you shouldn't work hard for it.
Be persistent when pursuing a job, but have something new and relevant to say.
Be someone that sets you apart from the crowd.
Take those risks. The worst they could say is NO.
If you really want it, you'll make it happen.
This was something I really wanted, so I did everything in my power to make it happen.
P.S. That video was NOT shot in our Exhibition Hall at the Municipal. But, the studio we were in had guitar toilets. and guitar tables. WAY COOLER.
One of the first things I stumbled upon in my morning Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr check was this incredibly inspiring article, written by the lovely Jennette McCurdy. Read it here:
I’ve been thinking about this article all day. It just really stuck with me. I was in the most interesting mood for the rest of the day. I drove to downtown Nashville for CMA Fest (actually hoping that Jennette McCurdy didn’t cancel her appearance, as she is an aspiring country singer as well). On my drive, all the songs I normally skip on my iPod, I wanted to listen to. I was weirded out by myself (oh, the things that happen when you spend too much time by yourself…)
I couldn’t stop thinking about Miss McCurdy and her mother’s unfortunate battle, and how that must feel being in the spotlight all the time while everyone is expecting her to keep her smile wide and crack some jokes.
I showed up to Nashville to indeed find the absence of Jennette McCurdy’s name on the schedule for the Lay’s Stage in the Bridgestone Arena plaza (she’s been canceling several appearances recently to spend more time with her mom). I was bummed out, and it just got me thinking more about what she had written in that essay.
I had driven a half hour, so I stayed for a couple of performances, including Sarah Darling and Hunter Hayes. Sarah was absolutely adorable, as was Hunter Hayes. Hunter played this song that I ended up recording on my camera. It was called something like “I’ll Cry With You,” and it just seemed fitting that I record it for some reason. At the time (less than 6 hours ago), I thought it was because of the article I had read that morning, still very prevalent in my thoughts.
Later, I got home and found that one of my friends had posted a song by Ke$ha on their Tumblr page. It’s called “Goodbye.” If you haven’t heard it, I urge you to listen to it RIGHT NOW. It’s such a beautiful song. I first heard this song I think around October, and it is still one of the most honest and beautiful songs I’ve heard in awhile.
Once again, it just seemed to fit the tone of today: Weirdly Sad.
I’ve cried several times today, and I didn’t really know why, until about 30 minutes ago.
My mom called me, and after I answered I heard a monotonous voice on the other end say “Hi Amanda.”
My mind automatically went to Oh my god, something’s wrong.
Turns out, my grandmother had a heart attack today. She’s brain dead. Her heart is beating, but she’s not breathing on her own. They’re pulling the plug as soon as my aunt gets there.
So thanks, I guess, to whatever angel up in heaven was preparing me for this.
Thanks for making me realize that there are worse things than suddenly dying at an old age. You could be slowly dying at a young age. Thanks for making me realize that I can always turn to music to help me sort through my problems. That’s why we have sad songs. And thanks for making me realize that all those old songs that I’ve heard too many times are kept on my iPod for a reason. They’re the songs that can cheer me up, no matter how hard life gets.
When one of my grandmas passed away in the fall, I was surprised at how little I cried. I was more relieved than anything to know that she wasn’t in any more pain. Once again, I am surprised at how little I’m crying. I should be crying more. However, I’ve cried a lot today, and I feel a new understanding of…well, life (to sound incredibly cliche).
I will now spend my evening watching iParty with Victorious, because kids shows make me laugh. They make me forget my problems and think about how simple childhood was. And more than anything, Jennette McCurdy seems to be the center around this incredibly bizarre day, and she’s in this show.
So I've been in Nashville for a little over two weeks now. I thought it might be time for an update, eh?
I'll just start out with this city. I'm currently listening to Taylor Swift's "Enchanted." It's kind of how I feel about this city. I love it so much. I don't ever want to leave. The people are so nice everywhere you go, and there's such a sense of community that I didn't know was possible in such a big city. I love that I can walk anywhere downtown and hear music come from a box on the corner of the street, coming out of a bar or a store on Broadway, or coming from a guitar player sitting on the sidewalk. This is indeed The Music City. I haven't taken many pictures, but here's a few really cool ones:
1st Avenue and Broadway
1st Avenue and the river
This is my favorite picture. I walk over here almost every day, and I stumbled onto this view completely by accident. I like to explore new parts of the city a little bit every day. I just happened to walk behind City Hall a few days ago, and this is what's on the other side. It looks much more beautiful in person. My favorite view of the city, for sure. And that building right in the middle if the picture is my favorite building. It's called Hotel Indigo. Really old and classy looking, and they have a Starbucks inside with lots of nice seating (need I say more?).
So...what's next?
Well, considering that this is The Music City, I've decided that I need to take advantage of as much live music as I possibly can. So last weekend, I did exactly that. I kicked off my summer by heading down to the Bridgestone Arena to see Taylor Swift's "Speak Now, Help Now" dress rehearsal. In case you were wondering, it was a fantastic show. I would highly recommend seeing her on tour. Here's some of the best pictures from the show:
The outside of the Bridgestone Arena, with one of the four Taylor Swift trucks on display.
I just had to put one picture of the crowd in here. Audiences at any show always manage to take my breath away. One of the coolest things ever is a crowd going wild with anticipation to hear some music.
Taylor and her hearts <3
C'mon. It wouldn't be Taylor Swift without some hair flips...
She only came over to our side of the stage once. I got this AMAZING picture from it though!
And lastly, of course, my INTERNSHIP!
I've been interning at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium for a week and a half so far. When I work in the office, I answer the phone and manage the Twitter and Facebook feeds for them. I've also been reading a bunch of Pollstar magazines. Highly recommended for anyone looking to go on tour or work in a venue. GREAT information.
I've also been assigned to create an online brochure for them to use for people who want to rent out the venue for their events, as well as a video to post on YouTube. That stuff I've been doing from home.
It's been really great so far. The staff is really fantastic, and they are as determined as I am to help me make as many connections as I can while I'm down here.
Right now, we are hosting Keith Urban and all his people as they rehearse before they go on their US lag of his World Tour. My goal for the next week? MEET HIS PEOPLE. I am determined.
In the next couple weeks, I am going to see Idina Menzel perform with the Nashville Symphony, seeing as many free performances during CMA Fest as I possibly can, and after that going to see Mat Kearny with Owl City! June shall be a blast and a half.
And with that, I leave you with Taylor Swift's "Long Live." I've decided that there really isn't a song on her album that I dislike at all.
So I'm at work right now. If you didn't know, I work at the front desk of my residence hall. It's a pretty sweet job. We can basically do whatever we want at work. Even update a blog. :) I usually try my best to do homework, but that doesn't work out a lot of the time, like right now. Most of my hours are weekend night shifts. So last night, while you were fast asleep, I was working from 2:30 am to 5:30 am. The problem with trying to do homework during a night shift is: 1. You're tired. It is so unnatural to wake up in the middle of the night for a few hours. and 2. There's always 2 people working at the desk on a night shift. So would I rather do homework or talk to my friend that I'm working with? I feel like that's not a very hard decision. I have to be very determined to get work done on a night shift.
Now usually, on Saturdays on B weekends I work 2:30-5:30am and then 1pm-5pm. However, I wanted to go home today to help take care of my mom again, and so I switched hours with Jenna and now I work 9am-1pm instead of 1-5. Needless to say, I haven't slept much.
While my original plan was to do homework right now at the desk, I am instead using my time to update my blog and watch the very first episodes of "FRIENDS." It's already been three hours, so I'm doing pretty well so far.
I also wanted to post this awesome video that was shown last week at a Public Relations meeting. My friend, Alex, who is a PR major posted this video, and I really enjoyed it. Alex just came back from a week-long internship for a designer during New York Fashion Week. Want to know how she got that internship? Twitter.
I know that people have their issues with the pointlessness of Twitter, but it doesn't have to be useless if you use it right. A lot of companies will post job openings on their Twitter pages. Want to know about that opening first? Follow them! I also think that Twitter is a great source for other information. I am kept up on world news since I follow my local news channels as well as CNN, Huffington, etc. As a music major, it's also important for me to keep up on music news, so I can follow my favorite artists, my favorite venues, and many other music news sources to stay updated. As this video points out, we don't have to search for news anymore, news finds us.
I used to think Twitter was pointless too. I understand more and more as time goes on that it is a very useful asset.
Aside from the fact that you can follow people and places that are important to you, also think about who will follow YOU. A lot of people follow me that I don't know, but a lot of them also have connections in the music business. If they know what I'm up to, then when I'm looking for a job or internship, that might just be one more opened door.
So if you still don't want a Twitter, that's fine. So long as you don't mind losing a few dozen (at least) job opportunities.
Today was such a long day! I have a lot to talk about, though! First, I have some of the best friends in the world, and my suitemate, Jenna was so nice to come down to Grand Rapids today to visit my mom with me. My mom had surgery today to get a lump removed from her breast. Everything went really well, and the doctor said that he was very confident that the lump was not cancerous! Good news!
We also got a nice home cooked meal from my aunt, which I miss quite a bit. I am very sick of dorm food. Of course about two hours later, we ruined that by stopping at Culver's on our way back to Ferris. It was necessary.
I also learned a lesson or two this week about paying attention to details. I have been waiting for a long time for CMT to put up their 2011 application for download, but every time I looked at it, it said 2010. Turns out, they didn't change the link, but they changed the inside information. The application is due on the 28th with two letters of recommendation. Bye, CMT. It's too late to intern there.
I have also been working on an application for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. I went to put the application with my letters of recommendation together, and learned that I also need an official transcript. Now I have to pick up my transcript (after paying $8) tomorrow at 1pm and get it in the mail before the mail gets picked up (even though I have class until 2:45), so it can be overnighted to D.C., where it is due on friday. Lesson learned: READ THE FINE PRINT
I'm really bad at that some days. That's why I don't like math, and I don't like True/False questions. I forget little details sometimes.
I also had a great conversation with my friend Robin today. She might go intern at Rock Hard with me this summer! She helped me decide on the Advertising major thing. If I really like Rock Hard, I am going to keep my advertising certificate and get a Film Studies minor. If I don't really like Rock Hard, I'm going to get the Advertising degree. I can't stay in school forever, as much as I would like to believe that's true. If i had my way, I would get an advertising degree and the film studies minor.
I am super excited to be going to bed before midnight tonight. I can't remember the last time that happened..
"That's All For Now, Folks!"
I don't want to bore you. Although if you're bored, you really should've just stopped reading...
-AK
So I think I am way too excited about this blog thing, for real. I love just being able to put your thoughts down. And people can read them or not, and I don't really care. My life isn't that interesting, but if you really want to know, you can read this. For me, it's just fun to write.
I am so excited about this Rock Hard Films opportunity. It sounds absolutely amazing. I also completely spaced on the details of my mom's cousin in LA. She is Mary Hart's personal assistant. Mary Hart, if you didn't know, is the Lead Anchor for Entertainment Tonight. How did I not remember this? I don't know, but *lightbulb* There's a bunch more doors that just opened for me! I'm excited to get in touch with her!
I'll be able to do more this weekend when I go home. My mom is having surgery and I'm going home to take care of her for a couple days. She will be able to get me in touch with her cousin Lori (Laurie?) Things are finally looking up on the internship front, and I'm so excited to go away for the summer and learn more!
I am also debating getting a second degree in advertising. I am in a class called promotional writing this semester and it is supes fun. I've also discovered my new favorite ad, the Chrysler 200 commercial (more like a Detroit commercial)
If you don't like this commercial, you're insane. We spent about 45 minutes in class discussing this ad, and we've watched it 3 times. It's quite amazing what they did here. I've been so intrigued with advertising lately. I'm pretty sure that I want a double major!
I just got an email back from a really nice person at Rock Hard Films in LA! She is so nice and said she is certain there will be a position open for me this summer! I'm so excited! They've done some great videos for Willow Smith, Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, etc. I called my mom and her cousin actually lives in LA so I will probably have a place to stay as well! I am so stoked for this opportunity! I can't wait to go on internship!
-AK
