Practical Training for Presenters

1. Practical Training for Presenters (Autumn Term Orientation) – Year 11 News Journalism & Broadcasting Association

2. Anything highlighted in yellow, you should write down in your presenter’s notebook!

3. Your Career In The Media Starts Here • Presenting without a doubt is one of the hardest aspects of any production, especially within the Year 11 News Team. • It can be really easy and relatively quick to master or it can be tough and gruelling. In essence, people are born presenters and so either HAVE it or they don’t. • Year 11 News is a very open and diverse team full of people from all year groups, backgrounds & cultures and of different skill levels – our members are what makes us successful. • This presentation is both a practical and theory lecture for our new and existing presenters on the team.

4. What’s Presenting all about? • A Presenter is someone who introduces, hosts or narrates a radio or television programme. • Typically the term Presenter defines the role of someone working in Television and someone who predominantly spends their time making sense of the action on-site/in the event to the camera and interviewing people who are there also. • The purpose of this is ultimately for the consumers (the audience) so they can get an understanding from the presenter’s point of view and the perspective of other people all on the same event.

5. Presenting for the Year 11 News Team • We’ve made the role as simple as possible however its importance in the production is unprecedented. • There are a number of different types of productions where presenters are needed for us, mainly; • News Reports (require just a presenter, cameraman and soundman). The presenter in small units such as this acts as the teams leader and communications manager with the studio and head office. • Events(introducing the event, explaining what its about, how do you feel though not too much info about that, interviewing audience members and interviewing the event organisers themselves). • Award Ceremonies / Music Events/ Festivals (introducing the event + different acts and performances) • Commentary(off camera presenting, narrating the on-goings in the event, particularly for award ceremonies, music events, sport events and festivals.

6. DOs and DON’Ts of Presenting. • DON’Ts. • Ummms and Ahhhs are not acceptable. • Do your research and know your event. • Don’t laugh on camera unless you’re in conversation with someone and they say something funny – not stupid, actual funny. • Don’t be shy, presenting is the one thing in which ITS GOOD to be over the top and overly confident. Being shy is NOT GOOD. • Don’t have a quiet voice, loud and projective! • Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the producer if you’re unsure. • Don’t hesitate to interview someone, walk up to someone and just start talking!

7. DOs and DON’Ts of Presenting. (Continued) • DO’s • Introduce people and elements of the show • Interview guests, relate to them , chat to them but DON’T go off topic. • Link between segments of the show. • Take part in onscreen activities. • Smile and look like you’re interested in what you’re reading, saying or doing.

8. Required Skills: Presenters are expected to have the following skills • • Basic knowledge of television terminology and operating procedures. • • A clear voice. • • Self-confidence. • • Interpersonal skills. • • For studio or OB work, the ability to keep presenting while hearing instructions through an earpiece. • • Improvisation skills. • • The ability to work calmly under stress. • • In most cases, some knowledge of the program topic (e.g. sports, etc).

9. Tips on becoming a top TV Presenter • 1. The first thing to do is to practise your presenting skills in front of a mirror. Write yourself a script and present it. When you feel confident doing this try interviewing a friend in front of a mirror. • 2. In school you will have a lot of opportunities to present something to your class, use this opportunity to gain experience of performing in front of your peers who can be the hardest audience to perform to. • 3. Many charities and organisations are looking for volunteers to go around and give presentations about the organisation to members of the public whether this be a stall at an event or a planned presentation in a school. Try and get a volunteer position doing work like this. • 4. Join a local or school theatre group, this will gain you experience in working in front of a live audience and scripted work. • 5. Join a local hospital or university radio station. This again will gain you great experience in entertaining an audience and will give you the chance to work on your vocal skills. Being a TV presenter you have to present a good image and a good voice.

10. Tips on becoming a top TV Presenter (Continued) • 6. Create your own image, image is very important as a TV presenter so find an image that you think will either stand out or give you the best opportunity to get a presenting role. • 7. Watch TV presenters from various shows and study them. Look at what works for them and how they handle situations and then bring the bits you like in to your presenting. • 8. Buy a video camera or try and borrow one from someone you know. Film yourself doing some presenting then watch the footage back with others and look at where you can improve. • 9. When you are happy with what you are seeing on camera, edit together a demo tape. To do this you will need a computer with editing software. • 10. Once you are happy with your demo start sending copies to TV companies. Remember to find names of people at companies you need to send your demo to so you are addressing the demo to a member of staff, this can improve your chances of someone watching it.

11. Useful Links • http://www.makemefamous.tv/info_presenting.html (Useful for finding out advice on how to present) • http://www.presenterstudio.com/ (For Professional Courses on Presenting)

12. Video • http://www.aspirepresenting.com/ • (Bottom of Page, maximise video)

13. TASKS • Read the “Autocue” script from the screen. • (Except try not to read it blankly, put some expression, emotion and emphasis on important parts and punctuation). • Homework: Read and Print Out a copy of this whole page - http://www.makemefamous.tv/info_presenting.htmlfor yourself. • Make a demo video of some presenting you have done OR film yourself reading something. Try to memorise sections if its from a script so you’re not reading blankly.