So today I’m all hyped up to cover the Hispanic Heritage Awards because, you know, it’s kinda my thing – celebrating culture and stuff. First thing, I brew my strongest coffee cause these award shows always run late. Checked my gear: camera batteries? Check. Notebook? Uh, grabbed the grocery list instead – had to run back for my actual notes. Classic me.
The Pre-Show Disaster
Got to the venue super early like a pro, but security wouldn’t let me through. Apparently my press pass was for LAST year’s event. Spent 40 minutes arguing with this stone-faced guy named Rick while VIPs walked past me. Finally got it sorted when Rick’s boss recognized me from my blog – small wins!
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Top 3 things that almost ruined everything:
- Tripped over cables setting up my tripod (almost faceplanted into Selena Gomez’s backup dancer)
- My live-stream kept cutting out because apparently stadium wifi hates me
- Ate some sketchy empanadas that made my stomach do salsa dances during speeches
The Golden Moments
Okay so when Bad Bunny came out in that insane sparkling jacket? I totally forgot to hit record for the first minute. Had to piece footage later from my phone. Saw Lin-Manuel Miranda crying backstage after his speech – that raw moment wasn’t in the official broadcast. My shaky cam got it though!
Almost got kicked out when I climbed on a chair to film Gloria Estefan’s performance. Security flashed their lights at me but I pulled the “I’m with the internet press” card. They bought it! Pro tip: act like you belong and people believe you.
Aftermath Madness
Wrapped up around 1AM feeling dead. Realized I recorded the whole thing with smudged lens. Had to clean EVERY clip in editing. Spilled coffee on my keyboard while uploading – now the delete key only works sometimes. But hey, the raw energy came through better than those slick TV cameras. You can actually feel the bass vibrating my crappy mic.
Would I do it again? Totally. Even with the empanada aftermath and Rick the security dude. Seeing those unscripted moments? That’s the real magic no TV broadcast captures. Just maybe I’ll double-check my press pass dates next time.
