In a word, day 1 was a blur. But an incredible and awesome blur at that. Commuting from my friend Meghan's house in Scarsdale (where I'm staying for this first week) on the train, my head was spinning with nerves and excitement: I had been told last week that I needed to report to Bath House Studios for a photo shoot for the next three issues of SCENE Magazine and my job would be to check in guests, take down their clothing credits, provide them with necessary paperwork and order the lunch. But of course, I was panicked as I peered at the google doc of all the photo shoot guests, ranging from clothing and shoe designers to singer/songwriters to filmmakers, screenwriters and music producers. (I don't want to reveal any names just in case!) In other words, a slew of successful and interesting up-and-coming artists. I was starstruck before it even started; having trained in a pre-professional residential program to become a ballet dancer, I can understand the perseverance and dedication it takes to achieve success in the arts.
Of course, with my nerves, I had made extra sure that I wouldn't be late and arrived before anyone else from SCENE Magazine. If I was not already excited about this day, I almost walked into a photo shoot of the cast of Orange is the New Black in the studio above ours. Sitting on a black leather couch, peering at the list of guests on my computer and the photographer setting up, I began to worry. Then, a man in jeans and a T-shirt walked in and immediately introduced himself as Peter, Editor-in-Chief. I panicked. Oh my gosh the first person who I'm meeting on my first day is in charge of everything. It turns out he was incredibly friendly and welcoming and couldn't be more down-to-Earth for a person of his position, a guy who can talk comfortably about speaking with celebrities like Madonna.
The first guest of the photo shoot walked in while I was the only one near the entryway, turned to me and said, "Hi, are you running this?" I was so shocked that I took a few too many seconds to respond, when I finally said, "Um, uh, no I'm an intern, but I can check you in!" Of course I had no idea how to "check her in." I tried to look casual and finally my internship supervisor, the Managing Editor of the magazine, Eliza Krpoyan walked in, but unfortunately with a bunch of other people. She was busy, running around, helping to get this show on the road, and I was clueless. I waited patiently and pretended to look busy and like I knew what I was doing. Thankfully, she soon explained to me that I needed to provide a photo release to each guest and find out the designer of his/her clothing, shoes and any jewelry for the photo credits.
The guests filtered in one after the other and Eliza expressed numerous times, smiling and apologetic that she was crazy for throwing me in on one of the busiest days of the summer, but I couldn't be more thrilled by the excitement of it all. I mean really, I had the chance to speak to some of fashion and pop culture's newest stars and see their incredible outfits and awesome pictures in person. After successfully ordering lunch for everyone and then finishing the afternoon/evening group, I was exhausted but still in disbelief of how lucky I was to be present at the shoot.
Eliza said jokingly, "I hope every day you spend at the office will be every bit as exciting!" Having bonded with other SCENE employees during lunch, including Creative Director Dean and Stylist Jasmine, I said goodbye to everyone and left the studio high on life. Over the past two years, with a lifelong interest in writing and journalism, I developed the plan of interning for a magazine in NYC over the summer and this incredible introduction to that world left me simply reeling. At the same time that what I had only dreamed of suddenly became very real to me, it was also surreal in that after months of planning and imagining, I couldn't believe it was finally happening.
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