New York, New York

Dear Reader,

Haven't posted in awhile because, well, we have been really busy here in New York. We have trips to Russia, Czech Republic, Panama, and Puerto Rico coming up so excitement is in the air. Having moved into permanent housing, and with a month of work under my belt, I finally feel settled here for the first time. New York is like a playground for adults having a community for any niche of music, food or culture. Exploring these niches has been extremely rewarding in the short time I've been here.

One of my only gripes with the city is the extraordinary measures one must go through to complete mundane tasks such as shipping a package. Having to plan so much, however, has helped me tighten up my life and become more organized as well as increase my ability to look ahead to events. Hopefully, I can continue moving towards a more proactive lifestyle and eliminate reactionary elements of my day-to-day.

We received news that two more OU interns will be joining us for the spring quarter. We cannot wait. It will feel good to have more people to reminisce about Athens with.

Stay Healthy everybody,

Andrew

Work, work, work at MUO

Life here in New York is still very busy, but in the best possible way! Andrew and I have been following the three title holders around to all kinds of charity events, appearances, and volunteer trips. Now we are working hard to catch up on all of the editing work that needs to be done in the office. Here are links to four new videos that Andrew and I edited.

Fadil Shoot Part 1 (shot by Andrew and Nicole, edited by Nicole)
Fadil Shoot Part 2 (shot by Andrew and Nicole, edited by Andrew)
Same Sky (edited by Nicole)
Salsa Part 2 (edited by Andrew)

On Thursday of last week I got to go with Miss USA on a trip to West Point, which was amazing! The campus was beautiful and filled with history. The cadets led our tour and told us all about what life is like at a military academy. It was very inspiring, but it also made me happy that I go to a normal university and not a military one. One of the highlights of the trip was the train ride up the Hudson river. It was refreshing to get out of the city and see all of the beautiful scenery that surrounds the academy. Video coming soon!

The other cool event I went to last week was the Viennese Opera Ball, which was the fanciest event that I will probably ever go to in my life. Held at the Waldorf Hotel, there were all kinds of foreign dignitaries, debutantes, and celebrities there. Even some of the cadets we had met at West Point the day before were invited. Right now, I'm working on a video about Miss USA learning how to waltz for the event. The night was filled with ballroom dancing and performances from opera singers and ballerinas. I even got to snatch a steak dinner from an empty seat at Miss USA's table. It was a long night, but I got a lot of great footage! Again, video coming soon! Keep watching Missuniverse.com for more content.

I hear that everyone back in Ohio got covered in snow last Friday and then again today! We luckily missed the first snow storm, but we definitely got hit today. The MUO office had to close early so that everyone could make it home safely. The snow is still falling, so let's hope that tomorrow we can still make it to work. So much to do!!

Fadil Shoot and More Videos

Hello everyone! Andrew and I had a great week last week at Miss Universe. On Tuesday we got to go to a big photo shoot with all three girls, which was a long day, but a lot of fun. The photographer was Fadil Berisha who has shot all kinds of celebrities. Andrew and I were there shooting video all day and got a lot of great footage, which he is editing now. I took these pics with my phone:



There was also a lot of press there. Here are a couple of articles about the shoot:

NBC New York
TMZ

Another project the MUO film/web team (consisting of me, Andrew, and our boss Colin) started is a Video Blog series with all three girls. Here are the blogs that we posted today:

Miss Universe
Miss USA
Miss Teen USA

Other videos Andrew and I have created or helped create lately include:

Salsa Lesson - Part 1 (edited by Andrew)
Hearts for Haiti (shot and edited by Nicole)
Fan Contest - Twitter (group effort)

So as you can see, MUO has kept us busy with lots of great projects! This week, Andrew is going with Miss Teen USA to a couple schools upstate while she talks to various D.A.R.E. programs. I am looking forward to Thursday when I go with Miss USA to West Point Military Academy. Keep watching www.missuniverse.com for more videos!

Bahama Breeze

Hello, Dear Readers, Andrew here. I just got back from a 5 day 4 night trip to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. Miss USA traveled to the sunny local of Paradise Island to work and pal around with kids from the islands who were benefiting from the Butch Kersner Foundation charity which helps at risk youth in the Bahamas…Oh and Michael Jordan was having a golf tournament as well. The Michael Jordan charity golf tournament invites sports and entertainment celebrities to come down to the Bahamas to raise money for foundations like The Make A Wish Foundation and the Butch Kersner Foundation. Oversized checks were dropped like dollar bills on good causes. The weeks events included a Versace Fashion Show, Jerry Seinfeld stand up, Michaels eponymous gold tournament, and a celebrity softball game pitting two teams of well known’s against each other with coaches A-Rod and Jeter calling the shots. Yes, I saw Spike Lee round second and slide into third only to be tagged out by Jerome Bettis and yes, it might be the most ridiculous I have ever seen in my life.

The Atlantis resort is a Vegas hotel located in the Bahamas instead of a desert. It is supposed to be the uncovered city of Atlantis featuring artifacts, sculptures and ancient paintings. They even have Casino’s and rocks that have speakers in them so you can listen to Jimmy Buffet, just like the ancient Atlanteans. We were treated to an exceptional stay overseen by our most gracious host Cecile. Alas, there was video work to be done so the dolphins will have to wait until the next time I’m back to swim with me. I’ll miss you guys.

Look for the Bahamas video to be up within the next couple weeks at www.missusa.com. The pictures from the trip should be up within the next day or so.

-Andrew

Links!

Where I was Wednesday night:

SPiN

Hearts for Haiti

Also, here are a couple of videos we have been working on.  Much more coming soon!

The Pose Off

Miss Teen USA's Music Video

Fun at MUO!

Everything is going well at the Miss Universe Organization! Andrew and I have had fun over the past two weeks shooting and editing videos for the website and are very excited for them to be posted soon. We also have been working heavily on a promotional video for the Miss Universe pageant that has taken up most of our time. There is plenty of work to do, which is great because I love to stay busy! Some exciting trips are coming up in the next month! Andrew is leaving Thursday for the Bahamas with Miss USA and a trip to Venezuela could also happen very soon. I'm looking forward to shooting a web video next week at a photo shoot that Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA all have with Fadil Berisha. Here are some pictures we took in the office today.


Andrew and I with our boss Colin


The view from the office on the 16th floor

Talk to you again soon!

First Week

Nicole and I have tackled our first week working for the Miss Universe Organization. All in all, I have nothing but good things to say about our experience thus far. Our boss, Colin, is an outgoing lover of life who, above all things considered concerning this internship, trusts Nicole and I to deliver professional work. There is no looking over shoulders or handholding--a true work environment. We have creative freedom to pursue what we think will work for the company and our youthful outlooks on the changing media landscape are appreciated.

The MUO staff is nothing but jolly and friendly as Nicole and I were accepted into the ranks with a nice large carryout Chinese lunch on our first day. So large, in fact, that leftovers are still floating around in the kitchen's fridge. I had the opportunity to shoot one of Miss Universe’s English lessons and have spent the week creating a video from the footage and brainstorming for videos to do in the coming weeks. The freedom and trust we are given are amazing, and I truly feel like a part of the organization.

More on the New York experience in future posts. Trust me, there will be pictures next time.

So, dear readers, till another day. Stay Healthy.

-Andrew Betsch