Grady Intern Diaries: Taylor Maggiore

This is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their summer internship experience.

Grady College: Briefly describe your internship responsibilities.
TM: I am the stage manager intern in the Studio Directing department. I am working on the noon Coast to Coast SportsCenter and the 1:30 P.M. NFL Live show. Before we go on air, I go through the show rundown and discuss with the camera operators where to move/set up during commercial breaks if we have guests or different locations of interviews. I get the on-air anchors a drink before the show begins, and make sure they are properly mic-d up and look camera ready. I also show them where to go if they have any stand up parts during the show. I tell them which camera to point at every time they’re on camera. If there are any guests on the show, I check during the prior commercial break to make sure they’re backstage getting their microphone set up. And finally I am constantly counting in from breaks and if there is a SOT (a pre-recorded video with sound) I count that down as well so camera operators and talent knows when their mics are open.

Grady: What was your favorite part about your summer internship?
TM: The 45 interns for ESPN in Bristol have gotten so close. We all live in a hotel a mile away from ESPN’s campus, and have bonded over this wild adventure and our similar but unique passions and goals. We have such different schedules and have different off days, so whenever we can all go out to eat or explore the towns around Bristol, we take advantage of it.

Grady: What is the most memorable experience you had during your internship?
TM: As corny as it is, getting my ID badges on day one at 8:00 in the morning was my most memorable experience. This internship had been something I was looking forward to for weeks after I accepted the position, and the build-up and excitement and nerves was unreal. So walking in on the first day and seeing my name and face on the ID badges was a pretty surreal moment.

Grady: What was the biggest surprise in your internship (ie: is there anything you didn’t expect?)
TM: I expected the talent and bosses in my department to be unapproachable, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. People in different roles such as assistant directors, directors, and producers have all offered for me to shadow them and they have explained everything that they’re doing. This entire department wants me to take advantage of my time in Bristol and meet as many people as I can and learn as much as possible, and it’s been the best surprise of all.

Grady: What skill(s) did you learn at your summer internship that you expect to be helpful as you pursue your desired career?
TM: In the studio, things are constantly changing in the script whether it’s breaking news, a guest not showing up on time, etc. And I have learned to prioritize the ‘fires’, and staying calm under immense pressure.

Grady: How will your summer internship affect the way you approach the rest of your time at UGA?
TM: I knew connections and networking was important, but this internship has showed me the power of that. Making lasting connections with professors, deans, peers, Ms. Sandra, and everyone that I’ve met at UGA is the most important thing I can take from college.