Interns Visit Punch TV
As a producer, Israel Valderrama is always looking for fresh and new ways to entertain and educate toddlers.
Twenty HIRE LA’s Youth interns have “free reign” to write, produce, and edit television shows for Punch Television, a cable network that will be seen by millions of viewers in North America. Located in Carson, CA, Punch Television has family-oriented programming like Go Go Land, a children’s show similar to Sesame Street.
All of the interns are under deadline pressure to meet the network’s September launch date. Interns Rayneisha Ross and Israel Valderrama are accustomed to responsibility and deadlines and the impact the shows will have on the viewers.
“Angel sent from heaven.”
As a producer, Israel Valderrama is always looking for fresh and new ways to entertain and educate toddlers. He’s a kid at heart, with a positive outlook, but he has major adult responsibilities. Money Israel is earning as an intern goes toward helping his terminally ill mother pay for medical expenses and support the family. For Israel, his internship is a blessing and his mother, who is still working, an inspiration.
“I consider my mother as an angel sent from heaven. She works hard for our family and with this job I plan to give back to her so she doesn’t have to work anymore.”
One work lesson Israel has picked up this summer is how to network. “I learned the importance of meeting new people because one day they can help me in the future.”
“Love is a universal feeling.”
Rayneisha Ross is writing love-themed episodes for Punch TV’s teenage drama series, Chronicles of Life. At 18, she has a 7-month-old daughter. She draws on the nurturing experience with her child to create love stories for the teen series.
“Love is a universal feeling, whether you are a mother, father, sister, or a brother, we’ve all experienced love and it has made my writing more fulfilling,” Rayneisha says.
She’s proud of her work and grateful for the HIRE LA’s Youth Program because it helps her provide for her infant and save up to attend El Camino College. She hopes that her soap opera can inspire the viewers and show them her understanding of the power of love…love that both Rayneisha and Israel are experiencing in their lives every day.
