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Working
the crowd: Schultz (right) exchanges softballs for Mardi Gras
beads
with audience members from New Orleans.
PHOTO:
Katherine Lange |
 risten
Schultz
is the audience coordinator for ABC's Good Morning America. That
means she deals with everyone from tourists visiting New York City
to press agents and publicists arranging a celebrity appearance.
"It's exhausting, but I really need that," says Schultz. "I'm
always challenging myself."
The
perky 23-year-old starts her day at 6:15 a.m. at the ABC studio
in Times Square. She pre-interviews the crowd that assembles outside
the studio by asking questions and gathering any personal information
that would help her create chemistry between the show and the audience.
Schultz selects members of the audience to participate in the show
if they have relevant questions for that day's guest.
But
getting on the show is tough because there are so many people and
so little time to spare on the two-hour morning news show. "I tell
people that actually getting to be on TV is like winning the lottery,"
Schultz says. "The hardest thing about coordinating the audience
is having to say no, especially to children." Schultz often gets
requests from schools asking if the children can perform a song
or dance.
Organization,
energy, and inquisitiveness are essential for Schultz to excel at
her job. Perhaps that's where her journalism training from New York
University, her alma mater, comes in handy. Like every good journalist,
Schultz cultivates sources, which lead her in the right direction
when looking for new story ideas. "I feel like I must be very resourceful,"
Schultz says, referring to requests for unusual guests to participate
in the show's "Behavior Lab" segment. Recently, she had to find
a 39 year-old man with gray hair, who agreed to come on the show,
have his hair dyed brown, and face the world with a new head of
hair and probably a new attitude as well.
Schultz
says that she likes being challenged by her job and has always aspired
to be a writer. "I have no desire to be on air," she says.
For
those who are on air, a countdown can be heard on the set as nine
o'clock approaches. That's a wrap and for Schultz and most of her
co-workers, it's time to board the ABC shuttle bus and head up to
the corporate offices on West 66th street. Schultz's
work uptown includes a couple of hours in the editing studio where
she announces promos of upcoming events to ABC affiliates. Then,
it's back to her office, making phone calls, finding stories, and
naturally coordinating the audiences for the next show, whether
it's accommodating an Elton John fan club, scheduling the Balinese
Dance Theater, or coordinating with the Girl Scouts of America.
Schultz sums up her job by saying, "I have to be a bottomless pit
of ideas and energy." Back to top
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Hosts
of Good Morning America: Diane Sawyer and Charles Gibson.
Schultz says, "They raise the bar everyday. They're so
polished and professional."
PHOTO:
Katherine Lange
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6:15
AM - Day Begins: Schultz
arrives at Good Morning America's Times Square studio to check
out the crowd already waiting outside.
7:00
to 9:00 - On Air: Schultz
works with the crowd throughout the show, interview audience
members and setting up live segments.
9:30
- Head Uptown: The
crew takes a shuttle up to ABC's offices on West 66th Street.
9:45
AM to 1:00 PM - Time to Focus: Schultz
contacts sources and develops ideas for future audience segments.
She also works on promotional material for ABC.
1:00
to 6:30 PM - Miscellaneous (but busy): Schultz
updates the show's guest list and web site, checks her email,
and returns phone messages.
6:30
- Day's Done: Schultz
leaves her post, to return in less than 12 hours.
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Kiddie
Creations: Schultz displays some homemade cards she received
from schoolchildren visiting the studio on a class trip.
PHOTO:
Katherine Lange |
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