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Doing TV

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by Giggity, Feb 20, 2013.

  1. Azrael

    Azrael Well-Known Member

    Breathe.
     
  2. Bob Cook

    Bob Cook Active Member

    Also, it helps a lot if a producer asks you a few questions beforehand. Some do that to make sure their hosts look smart, and to help you from sounding dumb. It's a nice dry run. But if that doesn't happen, you can go over a few key thoughts you want to make sure to share, and jot down a few questions you think they're likely to ask.

    Then, once you get started, talk to the host as if you were in a conversation in a bar. You might not get to everything you want, but mostly what hosts want is an engaging chat.

    One more thing: you don't have to give long answers to every question. If the question requires a one-sentence answer, then give that. A common rookie mistake on live media appearance is to keep talking and talking and repeating and repeating. Your answers should be long or short enough to cover the question. The second time you do this, it will be much easier.
     
  3. Bob Cook

    Bob Cook Active Member

    Also, depending on the format, if you have one other guest there, you're allowed to talk to him/her, too. It's a shoot-the-breeze conversation, not an inquisition.
     
  4. For a half-hour show especially, producer should do a run-through of the show. He/she and the host are going to want to know what points you are goign to make, so in case you do forget it on air, the host can prompt you.
    Write down any key points you want to make, and don't be afraid to check the notes while on air, though obviously not too much.
    You'll be surprised at how quickly a half-hour goes by, and after the first block, you'll likely be relaxed and possibly even enjoying yourself, wondering why you work so hard at the print when TV really is minimal heavy lifting
     
  5. cranberry

    cranberry Well-Known Member

    Stop off at a bar on the way for some liquid charm.
     
  6. Iron_chet

    Iron_chet Well-Known Member

    You don't need to tip the fluffer.
     
  7. Vombatus

    Vombatus Well-Known Member

    Wear a condom.
     
  8. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    What will probably happen is during the course of the show, you'll be nervous at first and then after a couple minutes, you'll calm down and be fine.
     
  9. "Those TV people have it easy," said most print journalists.
     
  10. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    There's no question that doing TV will give you a new respect for those who do it every day.
     
  11. Azrael

    Azrael Well-Known Member

    Truth is you won't know what specific advice you need until you've done it.

    It'll go by like a car crash, very fast, but in slow motion. Afterward you won't remember a lot of it.

    Breathe.

    Listen to what the other panelists are saying.

    Breathe.
     
  12. Bob Cook

    Bob Cook Active Member

    For one thing, the ability to speak extemporaneously without frequent use of "ah," "um" and "ya know."
     
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