How to Be an On-Camera Television Presenter

In the television industry, the best paying jobs are usually the on-camera positions.  News presenters, talk show hosts, corporate spokesman, this category of job is not extremely common and competition is fierce, but they are excellent positions full of high energy excitement, lucrative pay, and celebrity status.

Gaining the skills needed to be a quality television presenter will help everyone, whether they ever come near doing it professionally, or not.  How so?  One of the best examples is a job interview, a potentially nerve wracking situation made better if one has confidence, poise, and the ability to appear likeable and trustworthy.  IOW, the characteristics of a television news presenter.

Many situations in life call for these same abilities.  In fact, it could be argued these are some of the most valuable human traits for anyone to possess, no matter who they are or what they are doing.  So, I am a firm believer that practicing as an on-camera presenter and becoming comfortable with it, if not proficient, is an excellent idea for any student.

Is this acting?

Being an on-camera presenter, or on-camera talent as it is often called, requires some of the same skills, but is significantly different from acting.  You’re not imitating a variety of people in a fictionalized story. You are a presenter with your particular style and your subject is likely to be factual.

Although there are different styles and genres of TV presenter, some comedic, the most common is news, so that’s where we’ll begin.  A TV news presenter is usually sitting behind a desk, looking straight into the camera.  Sometimes they are standing and might be on the scene of a story.

The major characteristics of a quality television news presenter are:

• Serious and articulate.  No mumbling or slouching.  Speak up.
• Composed under pressure, poised.  Calm.
• Accurate fact-checker prior to reading in camera.  This includes practicing and knowing all pronunciations, especially names.  Professionals often study languages and name origins to become proficient with deciphering complex names.
• Speaks at the proper speed with proper enunciation.  Compared to normal speaking, the speech patterns, tone, pacing, and inflections, are significantly different.  Listen to professional announcers and presenters with a new ear for details.
• Friendly, but still authoritative.  Not cocky or arrogant, but confident with warmth.
• Remains fairly still.  An inch in real life can look like a mile on camera.  For most of us, natural head movement while talking makes us look like bobbing chickens in a headshot on camera.

As you consume media, start paying closer attention to things mentioned on the list.  When I introduced these concepts as a teacher, my high students equated it as behaving like an adult, a notoriously difficult task for high school age.  I consider that another good argument for this assignment.

Consider your own feelings toward the items listed. Can you picture yourself as a TV presenter?  If it makes you feel nervous, don’t worry, I promise you’ll get the hang of it and even enjoy it.

Practice Makes Perfect

The more you practice, the better you’ll become.   Critique yourself and listen to the critiques of others with an open mind.   Criticism can seem painful, but it’s offered with a constructive spirit, meant to help you improve.

When my classroom had studio equipment, students took turns rotating through all jobs, including on-camera talent the very first day.  Interviewing each other is a fabulous beginner assignment.

However, for some, that’s an uncomfortable task.  For those students, I suggest starting by practicing without even having a camera present.  No lights either!  This will help you just get used to the sound and feel of your own voice “announcing” and speaking out loud.  Speaking in this manner feels MUCH different than ordinary conversation, and it’s perfectly natural for it to take some getting used to.  That might sound a bit silly, but it’s true.

At this stage of the game, don’t worry about what you say; just grab whatever is handy.  Read a magazine article or something already written if you wish.   Or, you can babble off-the-cuff about your favorite pastime or your favorite food.  The point is to stand tall, proud, and absorb what it feels like to project your voice and sound like an authority.  Once you get used to that, you’re ready to go in front of the camera.

By eliminating all the common stressors of being on camera, (the actual camera, lights, mic and crowds) you give yourself a chance to become comfortable with everything that comes with the act of being on-camera.  

Most people are amazed at how nervous they feel when they first start practicing this way.  It seems silly because there’s no logical reason to be nervous when you’re just talking randomly to an empty room.  Well, whoever said nervousness had anything to do with LOGIC?

Now it’s time for the camera, microphone and all the lights.  We’re going to make videos.

Since our goal is to develop presenting skills, our video production style can be minimalist.  I suggest settling for what talking head setup can be achieved quickly.

A good and practical first assignment is to explain something you care deeply about.  Chose a topic you know well, so you’ll have plenty to say.  Perhaps a favorite hobby, a fabulous experience, or a personal dream.  The choice is yours.  Pick something you love that you want to share.  Here’s mine about my love of books and a sci-fi fantasy fairytale book I have written.

Honestly, I think it is boring and doubt if too many people would bother to watch.  It does not hurt my feelings to admit that no one really cares what books I like, but that is not the point of the video.   This video was for me.  I did it to practice and become more comfortable.  The video accomplishes this goal.  For me, I was pleased with the ease and comfort of my delivery.

Just like my video on books, the first video you make should not be something important.  As a student, you are given leeway as a beginner.

MAKE “BRAGGING” VIDEOS

One of the reasons why people feel so uncomfortable being on-camera (or with public speaking) is because we’re often taught as children that it’s rude and immature to try and be the center of attention.  We’re told to not brag or boast.  As a parent, I get it, but sometimes leaves an indelible message kids can misappropriate.

The antidote for all of that is to realize that it is not even remotely arrogant to promote ourselves in the appropriate situations, such as a job interview. Certainly, no one likes a braggart, so it can be a fine line, difficult to define.   However, for this assignment, bragging is actually encouraged.  The idea behind this task is that given permission to overtly brag can help a person blast past any psychological barriers they might have.

With a bragging video, you purposely let loose and brag about yourself in a way you’d never dare in public.     Granted, it pays to promote yourself in a humble way so to speak, but promoting yourself is actually critical in this day and age.  If you don’t promote yourself, who will?  Anyone going on a job interview better be comfortable promoting themselves, or they’ll never get the job!

Continue practicing, growing and developing.  The professionals you see on television have years of experience and practice.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• How do you feel about the characteristic listed for a TV news presenter?  Are you comfortable behaving that way, or does it feel unnatural?
• Why will making practicing videos help you get over your fear of being on camera?
• How do you feel looking at yourself on camera?
• How do you feel with others critiquing your videos?  It is natural for that to be a scary and nerve wracking experience.  Learning to take constructive criticism in stride is a valuable skill to  have.

Thanks for reading Video Production Tips!

Lorraine Grula