The Best Intern Ever

For most, starting a new job or an internship, which are one in the same, can be scary and most often intimidating. However, no matter what emotions you may be experiencing it is important to understand that you were chosen for a reason and being the best at what you are doing is very important. Sometimes I say to myself that I am the best and there is nothing that can stand in my way from being the best.  However, I do that for self motivation; to continuously remind myself that it is important to aim for the highest of goals. 

Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of learning a great deal about being an intern, specifically an intern at FANGORIA Magazine.  I’ve come to realize that patience is very important and with patience comes the power of self control and self discovery.  Also, I’ve learned that asking questions can be the difference between standing out in the crowd and simply fading into the background.  Yet, as easy as that may seem to do, for me it was not.  

At first I thought if I were to ask a question or too many questions, I would seem unknowledgeable on the particular subject at hand. Even worse, I feared I would become that annoying intern no one wants to work with. Now, through the guidance of teachers, co-workers, and my editor I understand that asking questions is not only important but necessary to successfully accomplishing the many tasks of which I am assigned.

Though it may seem crazy, I have yet to actually step foot in the office. Right now it is very important that I make a good impression through my ability to stay connected and up-to-date on what is happening at the magazine as well as submitting publishable work.  With that said, I have not had a chance to personally meet any of my co-workers which is also very important during the internship processes.  Within the next few weeks I will be beginning my weekly visits to the office and I am extremely excited to do so. I look forward to meeting all of my co-workers in person as well as even joining in on social events outside of the office.  

There are exciting times ahead and as long as I stay focused on being the best intern I can possibly be I know that I will succeed.  Furthermore, I will do all that I can to uphold the reputation of FANGORIA, be it asking questions, taking on more responsibilities, or constantly showing my dedication to the company. 

FANGORIA: The Beginning of My Journey

FANGORIA, the first in fright since 1979. This most simply written mission statement says it all.  Since its first inception in 1978 as FANTASTICA, FANGORIA has gone through many changes over the year.  With the changes in magazine publications and mass media as a whole, FANGORIA has never lost touch of being the forerunner in bringing genre fans up-to-date information on everything that encompasses the wonderful world of horror. 

I remember being a teenager running to Strawberries, Coconuts, and Sam Goodie, (all record stores now only a memory to some), or Borders and Barnes & Nobles to pick up the newest issue of FANGORIA. It’s funny, I never ordered a subscription because I didn’t want the mail man to bend it, so I would make my parents drive me to those aforementioned stores. Once in the store I grew so excited to see which movies would be featured in that particular months issue.

Instantly I would skim through the pages to get an idea of the many articles, however I would always read the “coming soon” section first.  It was the most exciting part of the magazine; to find out what was hitting the theater in the months to follow, sometimes in the year to follow. As my fingers would guide my eyes through each and every line of every article my heart would race with the anticipation that one day my name, whether I was the interviewer or interviewee, would be printed on those pages.

Now, those memories fuel my desire to be the most successful intern that this magazine has ever had.

It is with great honor that I have been chosen to not only work with such a great team of very talented men and women in the field, but also to be given the opportunity to write for the magazine itself.  I know that my love of horror and my utmost respect that I have for FANGORIA will only help me in providing the first in fright as others have before me.   

This is only the beginning of my journey.  I look forward to what the future has in store for me and it is with the greatest of hope that over the next year great things will be happening.  More to come soon...

Finding Beauty in Tragedy:

Photo taken by Frank Relle from his collection "Until the Water"

It is probably safe to say that Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters that some Americans have ever faced. The loss of life, culture, and history was devastating, not to mention the immeasurable impact this force of nature had on Louisiana and the world itself. Now, ten years after the tragic events of August 21-August 31 of 2005, photojournalist Frank Relle has captured the horror and the beauty in his collection hauntingly titled "Until the Water. I discovered this particular photo in the Photography, Video, and Visual Journalism section of  New York Times. 

Instantly I felt a deep connection with the picture for a few reason, one being, I didn't actually think it was real. At first glance it looked like an advertisement for a scary attraction, or new horror movie hitting the theaters.  It wasn't until I actually read the tag line for the photo that it in fact it was an image of an area that had fallen victim to mother natures powerful vengeance. 

The depth of perception and the way the water acts as a mirror to the sadness allows any viewer to create thousands of stories about the who, what, when, where, how, and why.  It is as universal as it is central. The use of lighting allows the image to almost seem 3-D. The background color of the sky seems to push forward the foreground to a level that surpasses the page, making the viewer a part of the image. Even the darkness itself plays a large role in creating a sense of dread and consumption of emptiness that makes this photograph haunting and unimaginably real.  However, there is still a sense of hope that one could feel from this, as the bright color of green pushing through the waters edge as well as from atop the almost lifeless cypress trees. 

Anyway you look at this picture, one can find the beauty and the beast of life and disaster. This photograph, along with the entire collection that Relle has collected thus far, enables audiences to see life through the eyes of an artist. His ability to capture the realness of life is spectacular as well as honorable.  

Here are a few other samples of "Until the Water", which is still in the process of being completed...

Follow along as we look at more pictures from Frank Relle as well as a glimpse into the life of the photojournalist himself. 

...next time we will take a look into Nightscapes