Learning to Talk that Talk

Since working for Double R I have gone to several networking events that have truly changed my view on the art of networking. Although vital, having conversations with complete strangers isn’t always the easiest thing to do. There are six steps that helped me to begin to learn how to master the art of networking.

1. Prepare

Walking into a networking event without all of your materials is a waste of your time. A chef wouldn’t walk into the kitchen without the utensils necessary to prepare masterpieces. So, you shouldn’t walk into a networking event without professional business cards and background information about companies that may be in attendance.

2. Fashionably On Time

The philosophy, “If you’re early you’re on time and if your on time your late,” is voided in the networking arena. When deciding a good time to arrive at an event it is wise to arrive 10 to 15 minutes after the event is scheduled to start. This gives time for other people to show up and helps you to avoid the awkwardness of being the first one there with no one to talk to.

3. Initiate

Although conversation may come to you, you must attempt to initiate conversation with others. Remember how you armed yourself with knowledge of potential companies that would be there? It is time to put it to use. If company names are on everyone’s name tags, that is a great conversation starter or a conversation saver if your are in the midst of a dry spot in your conversation. Also, a simple “Hello my name is… “ with an extended hand and a bright smile always does the trick.

4. Make Your Mark

Start the conversation asking about the other person, what they do, why they are there, etc. Only then should you start to reveal all of the wonderful things you have to say. Before the conversation ends it’s important say something that is meaningful so you make a lasting impression. This can be as simple as a funny joke or as complex as explaining what you can potentially bring to a company.

5. Exit & Repeat

Exiting sometimes can be as hard as entering a conversation. Search for a small pause in the conversation and express how nice it was to speak with the person and present your business card, which is a natural gesture and an opportunity for the other person to present theirs. Then find your next target and repeat the process.

6. 24-Hour Follow Up

Follow up is the last but also the most important step in the art of networking. Although you may be tired and have been talking your head off all night, as soon as you get home you should send a short email attached with your resume, cover letter, and a list of your references to everyone you spoke with. Why? It is important to do it immediately so that hopefully the very next morning they will see your email and remember you. The longer you wait to initiate contact, the less likely they are to remember you.

-- Asia Taylor

Never Underestimate the Power of the 7 Ps of Production!

On my first Double R shoot day at the Royal Netherlands Embassy, we hadn’t even left our neighborhood when I fell and twisted my ankle! Wonderful! The shoot could not have started in a better way.

Two advils and a stop at Claudio’s apartment later, we arrived at the Embassy alive and on time!

Lesson #1: The earlier, the better! You never know if the new production assistant will have an accident that requires time and attention.

The place was swarming with staff setting up for the big event. I met Kevin and Harry, the videographer and sound technician. As a production assistant, I tried to do my best to help them and to take pictures of the production. I even got a “press pass” (my first, actually!).

People progressively arrived and the panel started. The room filled and I passed around the microphone during the Q&A. We were all starting to get pretty hungry so I pulled my chips out and fed the crew!

Lesson #2: Take pictures, help with the equipment, feed the crew; a good production assistant needs to know how to multitask!

The impressive Sustainability Pledge Ceremony went very well, with more than 40 countries represented. Even the undersecretary of state and Mayor Gray attended. Thankfully we had done a site survey a few days before the event, so Claudio ensured we'd set up in the best place to capture all of the action.

Lesson #3: Rosemary will never say it enough: “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Production”!

We transferred the footage to the drives and it took two hours, so I wandered the room and took more pictures. I talked to some people and at one point, I ran into the mayor’s assistants. I took my chances and asked them if I could take a picture with the mayor, playing the new intern card, and it worked! Claudio and I both shook the mayor’s hand and exchanged some small talk with him.

Lesson #4: Use your time wisely!

It was getting late and we finally finished. We stopped by Michael’s house to drop off the footage for him to edit overnight. Claudio offered to drive me back to The Washington Center so I didn’t have to take the metro late at night. We used the GPS in the zipcar. Bad idea! The GPS had no clue where we were going and we ended up on the bridge towards Virginia!

Although luck didn’t agree with me before and after our productive and professional shoot, I still managed to get back home after this long but very exciting day.

- Clothilde Goujard

Half Way Across Town to Get Halfway Around the Corner

We, the new interns, started our week on a somewhat warm and sunny Wednesday. All of us girls came in dolled up with our dresses and little flats, but little did we know what we were in for on our first day as interns at Double R Productions! When Clo and I walked into the cozy office, I was nervous and I’m just about sure my palms were sweating when I shook Catherine Baum’s hand. Her greeting at the door was cute and simple as she offered to take our coats and showed us where we could find them. Of course, the first thing we did was sign the required paper work and contracts and we took a little tour of the office. I was surprised when she walked into the doorway of one room and informed us that it was the “intern office.” Only familiar with what I had seen in the movies, I thought that we would be stuck in a little dusty corner. I was wrong. Our office is a brightly colored spot with relaxing pole lamps, interesting paintings and posters, and three Mac computers! Each desk has a comfortable chair, a hefty amount of office supplies, and at least one little fuzzy farm animal to remind us of who the boss is, Rosemary Reed. We learned on the tour that Rosemary was raised on farmland and has a love for the animals, and it is quite obvious. There is some sort of animal on every inch of the office, and they add quite the “magic touch” if I must say so myself.

Once Asia, the third intern, came in we completed all of the paper work and read through the manuals we had been given. Catherine then informed us that she had planned a scavenger hunt for us. I had not expected to be going on a scavenger hunt, but was quite excited to get out in what I had heard was one of the nicest parts of DC and learn something new. We took a look at the list of places and did a little bit of research on Google maps thinking our task would be a breeze, though, we didn’t take much time to actually map things out. We would later regret that decision. We began our journey right by the office where we found the landlord’s office, which was one of the nine places we were expected to find and take a picture of. We figured since we had found that one so easy, the rest would be the same. This fun and exciting task slowly turned into a mess. Before I knew anything, it had been two and a half hours since we had left the office and we were almost a whole metro stop up from the office! We had got completely lost and strayed far out from Dupont Circle in search of our last destination, Firehook Bakery. All Asia could say is “It doesn’t matter how long you live in DC, it’s always a mystery.” Once we had finally found it, and took a bathroom break, we began to drag back down 17^th Street hoping to soon see Connecticut Avenue again, because then we knew we would be back on track. On our way back down, I began to watch my feet hit the ground each step I took. My little Southern feet weren’t used to all that walking and I could not believe they weren’t aching. My head flew up, forcing me to actually pay attention, when I heard a loud “see! I told you so!” from Clo. I looked up not only to see a sign that read “Connecticut Ave,” but also one hovering over me that said “Firehook Bakery.” I looked up at Asia, the DC native, and simply said “We have been half way across town, just to get half way around the corner.“

-Brianna Glenn

...When Pigs Fly!

I checked with USDA, NASA, and Santa, and no where could I find that pigs fly. However, my experience at Double R Productions, my winter break internship, has shown me seemingly impossibilities that made me believe that in fact, pigs do take flight! When I showed interest about getting work over the holiday break, I didn't think it would come true. I never had work experience and didn't think my first task would be interning at a company like Double R Productions. Waking up at 5:30 a.m. for a college student on break was absolutely unheard of in my book, along with riding the commuter bus and Metro with my father! The fact that my daddy escorted me all the way to the front door on the first day of work was also strange, mainly because that is something my mother would do, but also because I am nineteen years old! I could feel myself growing up during the first two days.

Within hours of arriving at the office, I got into a Zipcar with a complete stranger (Claudio) and let him take my life into his hands by driving me around D.C. I delivered holiday cheer to clients dressed up in a Santa hat. I really enjoyed putting smiles...and puzzled looks on people's faces throughout the city. When I returned to Dupont Circle, Rosemary assigned me a list of prospects to research. I spent the remainder of the day playing detective.

The second day my confidence level grew as I had already dealt with meeting the employees and figuring out my work space. When I arrived in the morning, I got right to work researching for a project. It was surprisingly one of my most enjoyable tasks. I also played secretary and operated the phone system. Thankfully, my first phone faux pas was with Fred Baer, the man who got me the internship...also a dear family friend. I spent the day glued to the computer screen, only breaking to watch the White House special for women small business owners with Rosemary and Catherine. Later I watched cooking clips on YouTube, and tried to come up with gimmicks for a new client. I'm not much of a cook, but it really stirred my attention!

On day three of the first week, I navigated the metro system entirely by myself...to the surprise of my father and I. After finally reaching Double R Productions, I got right to work and booted up Avid 3 without crashing it! Throughout the rest of the day I did numerous things for the first time: buzzing clients in and escorting them upstairs to Double R, transferring calls, using the intercom system, operating the elevator, learning to make coffee, and most exciting, hailing a taxi! My first week is ending, and I've already lost the game Never Have I Ever...

-- McKenzie O'Connor

Reflections from Fall 2011 Internship at Double R Productions

ILSE: Double R Productions became my home for the past four months. This internship provides the intern with valuable information needed to enter the workplace. After two weeks I was no longer considered an intern but a production assistant, and I participated in all of the aspects of production. For several shoots a week, I took care of the organizational part of production: developing a shoot sheet, researching Google Maps and collecting release forms. During the shoot, I am in charge of applying make-up before people are on camera and taking still pictures of the production for Double R. On an ordinary day the interns have several roles to fulfill: writing press releases and blogs, thinking about new sales strategies and design graphics for marketing. Since I am working at a video production firm, interns have to create their own videos to be able to take on more clients in the near future. We are in a learning position. Thanks to Paul, one of the editors, I was educated in the world of editing. Sometimes technology just took over: frames dropped, sound disappeared and footage played hide-and-seek. Paul always came to the rescue! The actual hands-on shooting and editing has been the most satisfying. After spending years studying the theoretical part, it is a dream-come-true to be creative. This past semester I learned so so much. I could never guess that I would be able to make a video on my own and design a holiday card. Thank you Rosemary and Double R for being the best brand in the "internship" business!

NAHIELLY: It feels like time flies! My time here at Double R is almost done, and soon I fly back to Mexico. During my internship I have learned so many things that I wouldn't have learned in any other place. I worked on several projects as a production assistant, researched content for projects, wrote transcripts and blogs, edited vlogs, and the list goes on. I also won the post card design competition among the interns, isn’t that cool? I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Double R staff for teaching me something, but especially I would like to thank Rosemary for giving me this opportunity, for believing in me and for taking the risk to choose me among other intern candidates. Double R became my home this fall. This was my first internship and hands-on-experience ever, and something I know I will not forget. I will go back to Mexico with a bunch of good memories, so thanks again, Double R.

AMBER: A few things I will take from the Double R experience, my two-day-a-week internship. I have learned patience is a virtue that I need to work on greatly. Everyone is part of a team even when they aren’t there every day. Finally, if you want to do something or learn something, speak up! Other people aren’t mind readers! These are all things that I will be taking with me for the future.

Happy Holidays from the Double R Fall 2011 Intern Team!

A Lesson on Logos

Rosemary returned from a Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington (CAGW) board meeting with an assignment for us: design a new logo for the nonprofit. I had a sheet of paper with her handwritten notes, a magic wand, and my imagination. The magic wand had been presented to the CAGW board, which Rosemary sits on, as a branding tool. We Double R interns put our heads together and shared ideas.

Nahielly and Ilse gave me a few ideas, and I made them happen on screen. Here are some notes to chew on when designing a logo:

· Work with the words

· Change fonts and colors

· Alignment makes all the difference

· Not all logos need pictures

· Not all logos need words, but words and letters can make great abstract

· Don’t make them all look the same! Clients don’t want the same logo 6 different ways.

-- Amber Ferris

Martin Luther King Memorial: B-roll to achieve your goal!

October 16, 2011 was a memorable day in the lives of many Americans: the Martin Luther King Memorial was finally revealed to the public. Due to hurricane Irene, the dedication was postponed for two months. But it was also a memorable day for the Double R intern team as we took the camera to shoot a video. We assumed it would be a short dedication, but we were in for a huge surprise. Obama, accompanied by his family and dozens of American stars and politicians, took part in the memorial dedication ceremony . We spotted Stevie Wonder, Joe Biden, Jesse Jackson and Aretha Franklin. For us foreigners, this was the chance of a lifetime!

After filming the action we found ourselves trapped in a crowd of people. I talked to the lady next to me. Out of the blue she told me her life story: she marched with Doctor King in the 1963 Civil Rights Movement. Pictures of her are displayed in the National Archives. This was absolutely the best interview we could ever get!

However, as we are still learning every day, we made a huge mistake. We shot interviews and speeches but not enough B-roll of our interview subjects. That became a problem when we needed footage to cover parts of their interview bites. Normally you would add some B-roll but if you don’t have any that’s a bit tricky. So we definitely learned a huge lesson: always shoot B-roll. You can never have too much footage!

-- Ilse Schooneknaep