Name of Student : - Waleed Al-Lahham

This Report tells the story of my internship at MBC, Lebanon, between August 16 and September 19, 2009. What I learned, what challenges came across my way, and what I achieved on both the personal and the professional level. Also, at the end I have made a set of recommendations for future extended periods of training.

I  grateful to LoYAC who helped me to win this grant, which has been a  turning point in my life’s journey, and for those at  MBC group who gave with no limits; offering me their experience, hospitality, warmth and much more. I would like to especially thank:

Rula Jardaneh –LoYAC-Jordan
Mahmoud Nabulsi - LoYAC -Jordan
Nadeen Musawi-LoYAC -Lebanon
Rania Malas- MBC
David Latif –MBC
Suzan Musa-MBC
Alex-MBC
Eli Abu Azar -MBC
George Al Haj-MBC
Kareem Kulailat –MBC
Fadi Sama’an –MBC
Jon , and Mike Ghadban (sound) –MBC
 Khader and Dodo (lighting) - MBC

Orientation of Place and Program:

At the start of the internship, I was introduced to the MBC studios; their philosophy, programs, and all those who work behind the scene, starting with directors, producers, camera men, and ending with presenters.
I was also given few documents to read and understand to enhance my practical training during the internship.

Key Learning Points:

- Production and its Components:

My first interaction with producers was through 3 main programs (Styles and Stars), (Halima Series/ Mosalsalat Halima), (Live It Once / Ishha Marra).Mainly through reading scripts and being involved in the smallest details of Styles and Stars program.
My first experience in the production process was through professionals from MBC for whose efforts and time with me I am very thankful.

- Team members and Responsibilities :

As a young film maker, and through working with a team of producers and editors, I subconsciously assumed similarities between my previous experiences and the current one. I l I learned by observing the team members collaborate, their titles, and how they handle responsibilities as individuals and as one team. 

- Studios

I had asked Ms. Rania Malas to introduce me to the studio, to all its elements as I was required to develop a plan for a new program( I will be explain in detail later on) at that point it was important to gather information, and to build a good background about each element of the studio One of the most interesting things I did was working with technicians, lighting, sound and in particular the sound technicians who I respect  and appreciate for their efforts and passion in teaching me and offering their experience to learn from .

- Live and Recorded Programs

I believe I was extremely lucky to receive my training during Ramadan, the month of intense TV programs. Everyone is trying to leverage his or her show to be an error free show. There was tension and excitement on the first day of Ramadan; when viewers decide what show they will continue to watch .The studios were full of people who were trying to do their best in both the live and the recorded shows, it was so motivating and exciting for me to observe, learn, and contribute when possibly; it was during this time, that I learned  how to adjust the pictures’ setting from Mr. Fadi Smaan, whom I am grateful to.

- Directing, Video Typing, and Editing.

Output: here I have to thank Mr. David Lateef, for monitoring me, and setting my direction during my training, although it was very difficult to get things done as well as he did. But his method was a nice and simple, which allowed me to help him later in directing   a few small things afterwards.

- Photo:

Eli Abou Azar, he was the first to monitor my journey with the camera, as he considered me his assistant in the field. He held me responsible for any mistakes; this full responsibility drove me to learn and shaped my experience in a more practical way.

- Editing:

due to my previous, though humble, experience in editing, and using the (Navid) program my editing experience was easier than that in other fields, yet there was always something new to learn.

Achievements:

- This experience allowed me to assist in several programs and to be considered as member of the team in more than one program. Especially (Style Stars and Living Time) shows. I hope in the near future I will be reporting to one of them here in Jordan
- It allowed me to share my ideas of new programs, and to write a draft plan of them.
- It allowed me to be part of the well trained MBC technical team; to work on lighting, sound.

Challenges :

- Language barriers: this was one of the most significant challenges for me, as all transactions were in English. I promised myself to develop this, as soon as I returned to Jordan due to its utmost importance at work.

- Living expenses: it was difficult to manage my expenses in Beirut, due to an expensive life style. But I give special thanks here to MBC group and LoYAC for their contribution in covering some of these expenses.

- The training was great in general, but the lack of organization and a certain order was disturbing, this was due to circumstances that had affected this grant and the postponement of the internship several times. Sometimes this left me worried and confused.

Recommendations:

- I hope to develop a mechanism to enable MBC to stay in touch with those who train with them and even to make use of them in their own countries.

- To increase participation of Arab youth in the training; for more contribution and inclusion. Diversity enriches and allows creative ideas to develop, and it also helps MBC to prepare a new generation of people in media.

- I suggest that when providing such training, to extend the opportunity and experience and to assign a small budget for each trainee to design and implement a new program. This I feel will take the program the extra mile , and give  Arab youth the chance to get creative.