That’s Master Control at Blue Ocean Network (BON). There’s a North America and Asia feed there. Right now it looks like the same program is going to both places.
I’m the new host of China Export. It’s a twice weekly show about all things coming out of China. That means everything and anything from actual durable goods we know in America like uh, everything, to culture, music, ideas and more. I have a producer and there are three writer/editors. They’re all local Chinese and speak English. I’ll explain more about the show as I start working on it more. Right now I’m taking over for the former host.
I’m still looking for a place to live and commuting every day from Babaoshan (That’s pronounced ba bow shawn) that takes over an hour. Fortunately all I have to do is sit, I mean stand, on the line 1 subway. It’s pretty crowded, especially in the morning. Think of packing 5 people in the back seat of a car on the way to a bar or something. It’s just like that.
Apartments around where I work (and thus the best place to live, I would live over in the “party zone” of Sanlitun but I decided I’d rather save my money) cost anywhere from 2500 to 3500RMB. I’ll let you look up the exchange rate. Right now I’m thinking I’ll probably room with a guy from work. He hosts a comedy show and is native Chinese so I could potentially have some funny Chinese lessons or something. And it goes without saying rent will be cheaper.
Speaking of cheap things, there’s free food at work! The cafeteria is free. So far so good as far as the menu goes. But whatever. I’ll eat it. The price is right.
I’ve also talked with a production company called CTVS. A fellow Syracuse alum works there and it’s looking pretty good for some freelance work with them. CTVS does everything from stock footage requests (say someone wants some random video of the Great Wall or something, they’ve got it) to edit, voiceover and transmission support for foreign reporter teams to corporate videos to live events like Indy car racing.
All and all it’s been a pretty good first few days in Beijing. I’m not even here a week and already leaving for the weekend – headed to ZhengZou for some caving or something. I’m not really sure. My train ticket was bought for me already. Cool! I’ll get to explore another Chinese city.
