Time Warner Cable News
Summer 2014 Internship
Interning at Time Warner Cable News has been a wonderful experience. If you are looking for a career in the news broadcasting industry, this is the internship to you. Whether you are looking to be a producer, reporter or photographer, TWC gives interns the opportunity to work hands-on in the field. If you are planning to pursue this internship be prepared to take the initiative. It is up to YOU to learn and take away as much from this experience as you possibly can. The staff at TWC will not assign you tasks each shift you work, they expect you to take the initiative and be aggressive. An intern should arrive at the news station ready to work. If you are interested in behind the scenes or in front of the camera, speak up and ask if you can help out. Make worth of your time, the more you help out the more you will learn from the experience.
As an intern walking away from this experience I have learned a few important things. Throughout my time spent at Niagara I have planned on pursuing a career in news reporting. After completing this internship, I realize that reporting is not as easy or glamourous as it looks. Each and every employee at the station is a determined and hard worker. Reporters are asked to go out in the field and collect information for a story. They must know how to efficiently operate the camera, conduct interviews and edit their footage in a certain amount of time. I have also learned that the news industry is very harsh and not as pleasant as it may seem. No matter what station a reporter may be from, everyone is out for themselves. With that being said, in order to be a successful reporter or news assistant, one must be aggressive and on their game at all times. A reporter cannot be afraid to ask questions, even if they are based upon difficult circumstances. For example, if a family has just lost their loved one, a reporter cannot be hesitant when it comes to asking the family about the tragic event.
By spending the summer at Time Warner Cable News I have gained a great amount of experience in the news industry. I have gained constructive criticism which has helped me improve in my skills behind and in front of the camera. Although this internship was not paid, I walk away from this internship with new skills and footage for my demo tape. According to the news director at the station, interns are more likely to be hired than others. So if you are looking for a career in TWC, this is an internship I highly recommend to apply for. TWC is a great place to start off after graduating from Niagara.
Week of 6/2 - Diary Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed story ideas such as the FBI conference at the Buffalo Airport and bear appearance in Alden.
Went with reporter Kaitlin Lionti to cover a story on the Brownfield Cleanup Act downtown. Area developers were calling to retain the tax credit program by encouraging developers and business owners to clean up contaminated properties.
Went with Alex to cover the county legislature meeting on Buffalo CPS. The CPS commissioner spoke requesting more positions. We also talked with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz about the lack of online petition signatures regarding CPS. His plan was to increase funding in office to enforce tougher penalties for harming the young children of Buffalo.
Week of 6/9– Diary Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed stories. Story ideas included the Niagara Falls International Railway System, Gates Circle Redevelopment Project, Candace Cartagena Trial and Schumer’s transformation on Lower Main Street.
Went with reporter Kaitlin Lionti to report on Schumer’s campaign to secure funds to improve Buffalo’s Lower Main Street. His plan was to make the streets downtown more accessible to cars and to continue the transformation of the water front.
Shadowed the producer Lauren while she created a reel. She also showed me some of her duties.
Sat in on Casey Bortnick anchoring.
Week of 6/16-Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed stories. Story ideas included the Buffalo Police oversight and Sgt. Shaina Schmigel’s wake.
Went with reporter Kaitlin Lionti to the Buffalo Common Council meeting at City Hall. The police oversight committee was making recommendations to the Common Council. The committee hoped to continue a safe relationship between the Buffalo Police Department and the community.
Made a phone call to Darius Pridgen and left a message with his assistant. Mr. Pridgen led a meeting at the Common Council addressing the overpopulation of cats in the area. Pridgen discussed the Buffalo cat ordinance amendment. ATime Warner reporter was unable to attend the meeting. Unable to speak with Pridgen, my goal was to discuss what changes have been made to the ordinance.
Made a phone call to Art Park. Spoke with Maria Hays, the park’s communications director. Set up a time for a news assistant to attend and capture footage of the first Tuesday in the Park of the summer.
Week of 6/23 -Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed story ideas.
Went with reporter Jennifer Auh to the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. We spoke with the Captain of Police about 46 year old Kevin Cetola. Cetola was brought into custody after allegedly “abducting” his nine year old daughter. After not returning home after midnight, the girl’s mother called police which later resulted in the motion of an amber alert.The girl and her father were later found at a gas station.
Sat with Lauren the producer and learned more about her duties here at the station.
Practiced editing and played with rough footage from the National Dump the Pump Day in Buffalo.
Sat in on Casey Bortnick anchoring.
Week of 6/3 -Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed story ideas.
Went out with Luke and Anthony the news assistants to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Free Bike Loan Program.
Sat in on Kate Morse anchoring.
Sat in on afternoon meeting and discussed story ideas.
Monday 6/23-Entry
Spent the week with reporter Antoinette DelBel at the TWC Niagara Falls Bureau.
Sat in on morning call to TWC Buffalo and discussed story ideas in the falls.
Reported on the financial status of the One Niagara building located downtown.
This has been an ongoing battle between the building’s owner and the city. One Niagara has owed millions of dollars to the city in back taxes. Owners keep asking for more time to pay, but the city is no longer willing to wait. Some council members want the building foreclosed while others would like for the tourist attraction to remain opened.
Interviewed One Niagara President Tony Farina. He believes that the building will pay the money owed to the city within the next few days.
Interviewed Council Member Kristen Grandinetti. She believes that the city needs to follow through with the foreclosure process.
Assisted Annie throughout the week.
Week of 7/7-Entry
Spent the week with reporter Antoinette DelBel at the TWC Niagara Falls Bureau.
Sat in on morning call to TWC Buffalo and discussed story ideas in the falls.
Researched story ideas for Annie.
Reported on a story regarding hired contractors that has not lived up to their mowing contract with the city. Residents and business owners are upset about the tall grass in the vacant lots. Many complain that they are an eye soar to the area.
• Interviewed John Caso the deputy director of public works.
Week of 7/14- Vacation
Week of 7/21-Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed story ideas.
Attended press conference at First Niagara Center for Buffalo Sabres Draft pick Sam Reinhart.
Logged the press conference.
Created mock stand-ups for the MLK Splash Pad.
Sat in on the Cartagena murder trial.
Week of 7/28-Entry
Sat in on morning meeting and discussed story ideas.
Traveled to Mes Que, Buffalo’s Soccer Bar and Restaurant, with reporter Katie Morse and reported on the World Cup.
Traveled with reporter Meg Rossman to Niagara Falls Conference Center to the World Cup Party.