In 1993 I immigrated to Canada with my family from war-torn Bosnia. I have always been very proud of my Serbian heritage and have always had a strong connection to my Serbian roots.
Many years ago, a boy named Uros walked into a Serbian party, all alone. He was what I call an "undercover Serb" - someone who was a complete unknown in the community. We quickly became friends and learned that we are both type-A go getters who love volunteering and public
humiliation speaking.
Since that day, he's been anything but undercover. Over the years the two of us have been involved in various Serbian community organizations. We were part of the Association of Serbian Students (ASS!), we hosted the Serbian Festival, we started a Serbian youth organization and hosted a Serbian radio show.
For our latest Serbdventure (copyright!), we are launching Serbian TV Ottawa - a community TV program in Serbian, produced by Uros and I, and hosted by us and two other awesome Serbs. When it airs in August it will become the third show of its kind in Canada and 6th in all of North America. Yay!
It was mainly Uros' idea, to be 100% honest, and it took some convincing to get me on board, but I'm glad he was persistant because I am so excited to be working on this.
Yesterday we filmed our first episode, and although it was
way harder, longer and more awkward than we expected/ planned, I think we did a good job. For most of us, it was our very first time on camera so we have a long way to go, but I'm eager to learn and excited to be working with this fabulous team, especially Uros who always believes in me and pushes me to take on new challenges.
Thanks Urose! HGH!
Here's a breakdown of our evening:
It all began at 5pm with make-up and junk food in the Green Room. Perfect start to my TV career, I'd say.
If you knew me, you would know that I consider drinking Pepsi a sacrilege. I get angry when I ask for Coke and the server says "Is Pepsi OK?". If I ask for Coke, and it's not available you might as well offer me tomato juice as an alternative, because it is ABSOLUTELY NOT OK.
BUT, I was in a hurry and desperate and it's not my fault that Harvey's has delicious burgers and onion rings *drool*.
Uros and I ready for our close-up. I got to wear my new "J Crew" necklace, which Sarah brought back for me from Quebec City. I'm pretty sure that owning this necklace officially makes me a blogger. Also, I cleaned my shoes especially for the filming (look how shiny they are) only to find out they're not even visible on camera. Sad face.
I digress.
Unfortunately things were moving at a ridiculous pace, and I was pretty nervous so I didn't get a chance to snap photos of the rest of our team. But, do not be fooled - it is not JUST Uros and I. We have a wonderful community correspondant Milana, a sports correspondant Marko and Nikola who is helping us put the whole thing together. Go team!
Here's one of Marko doing his thing, without a script! *amazing*
Uros and I getting ready to shoot. At least we kind of look like we know what we're doing. Fake it 'til you make it y'all!
Filming was a scary, awkward and fairly uncomfortable blur - so this photo is perfect. It
was our first time in front of the camera, and let me tell you - radio and TV are not even similar. Sitting in these red chairs was super awkward. Holding the lady-like Kate Middleton leg cross was no easy task, and looking natural while reading from a teleprompter was basically impossible.
"Try not to look like deer in the headlights" - camera man. Excellent advice. #fail
Seeing the unedited product was pretty terrifying. Hearing yourself is hard enough, but SEEING yourself as well? Ridiculous. Rest assured we won't be taking over Good Morning America any time soon, BUT that's obviously only because our show is in Serbian.
Congrats to the whole team! Looking forward to our first season! Ukljucite se!
