ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

12 years, 5 months ago - Presenter Promotions

Since 1990, Presenter Promotions has led the field in the supply of professional presenters who can enhance a production. I have a large range of talent so let me know if you need any casting help. You can fill out my casting form on the website at: http://www.presenterpromotions.com or send me an email to: colin @presenterpromotions.com either way I am sure to have someone th fit your needs at the price you want to pay. Thank you Colin 07782 224207

12 years, 6 months ago - Marlom Tander

A good presenter for specialist subjects needs to be knowledgable and interested in the subject, because they need to be respected by the guest.

I'd start by getting the word out among artists, art writers, arts academics, and of course, nuns.

Meet a bunch and screentest those who turn out to have good voice and expansive active guesture rich way of talking. They can learn the techniques of presenting far easier than an actor can learn the corpus of art.

12 years, 6 months ago - Emily Rhodes

Hi Karel - I feel like I am on the other end of the spectrum to you in that I would love to present (particularly arts-related subjects!) but as with most things, find that it is difficult to know where to start or how to get my foot in the door...

My profile is a little out of date but I have just come off of 2nd Unit on All You Need is Kill (Dir. Doug Liman & starring Tom Cruise/Emily Blunt) as a Floor PA. I have worked in the TV/film industry as a Daily whilst at university and full-time since graduating in 2011, including credits on three 3D films and so feel very comfortable on a working set.

With a first class degree in English & Comparative Literature from Goldsmiths University, I have a strong foundation of arts knowledge and extremely strong research skills, as well as thoroughly enjoy the process of visiting new arts venues to analyse any genre/type of exhibition, play, film or gig! I think it would be great fun to interview others on subjects we are both passionate about.

At present, I am also working alongside The Presenter Studios at the weekends to gain hands-on experience and eventually put together my own show-reel so it would be great to jump straight in and start presenting for your pilot.

I would really like to come along for a screen-test as your project sounds very interesting and I would like to know a little more! If possible, please email me at emz_rhodes@hotmail.com

Speak soon! Emily

12 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

BTW, studio-based, multiple presenters, etc., absolutely definitely go down the live direction/multiple camera route. It feels much fresher, more conversationally natural, and saves *so much time* it'll blow your socks off. With time costing money, it's absolutely worth it. PM me if you want to talk any of that through - I once knocked out a 6 x 30' chat show from more or less cold to ready-to-air over a weekend. It was a bit rough and ready, sure, but it was what the client wanted. If we'd tried it without the talkback, multicam, autocue you can be sure it would have taken more than a weekend just to ingest the tapes before editing - as it was we had the edit already, it just needed some tidying up.

12 years, 6 months ago - Carol Allen

Hi Karel, I'm a very experienced arts presenter - former cinema specialist and arts editor for LBC radio, producer/presenter arts features BBC and arts features for The Times and other publications etc etc - so I really know my subject and I'm a good interviewer. Problem is I'm a bit on the mature side for telly- well over 50, so I don't look that good on screen and my approach may be a bit old style. Would be ok if I were a man but........???!!! But if I can be of any help to you as an advisor, do drop me a line, either via Shooters or at carolofdawes@btinternet.com There's a pic of me on my Shooters page but it's a bit flattering! Good luck with your project. Carol

12 years, 5 months ago - Emily Rhodes

Hi Karel - how is the pilot going, did you manage to develop it any further and find your presenters? Emily emz_rhodes@hotnmail.com

12 years, 5 months ago - EMILY MAGUIRE

Hey... I run the agency Reflections Talent Agency and have a few presenters that may suit... Feel free to mail me about this on: info@reflectionstalentagency.co.uk :)

12 years, 6 months ago - Karel Bata

Thanks Marlom. That is really solid advice and has made me rethink what I'm doing. There several folks I know already - 3D 'experts' - that would do really well, and one is already enthusiastic and agreed to screen test.

12 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

A little late to the party, but I thought my 2p might be of some interest...

Everyone wants to/thinks they can present TV - they see how easy the pro's make it look, so think it must be easy!

From a production point of view, I'd say three of the most useful technical skills a presenter can have are to be able to

1) read an autocue naturally. This will save you days of fluffed lines and 'what was that bit again?', you can even rig a PC monitor just above the camera and stand the talent a little further back, the eyeline shift isn't noticeable. This tip alone is worth a case of beer - a 'presenter' I used took a half-day to get through a short script on the first day when he was trying to remember it all, second session I'd fitted an autocue-style system and he was out in 30 mins even with minimal training.

2) to be able to speak naturally whilst receiving direction and information via talkback (in ear speaker). They have to listen and digest your instructions about timings, which questions to home in on, stage directions, etc whilst speaking or appearing interested in what their guest is saying. It is really hard to do, it comes with practice.

3) to be able to talk to time - TV timings are critical, your 'slot' from the network isn't going to wait for you to finish a sentence, you'll be cut mid-flow if the network is going over to another source. You also can't have the talent finish early and stare at a camera for 15 seconds with nothing to say, of course. When you give timings over talkback you may give minute markers throughout, then at 30s then 15s then 10,9 8... as you go to the end of the show. The talent needs to adjust their speech speed and any closing comments/questions/'have to stop you there' etc to sound natural but to finish within a second of your counting out. It again takes a lot of practice.

You can simulate all of these in auditions with a bit of prep, it'll tell you who's good and who isn't way better than any prerecorded stuff they send you.

The BBC is very keen on non-generic presenters, but ones with an actual interest in their subjects. Sister Wendy speaks with insight and perspective on fine art, for instance. Richard Hammond would do a less convincing job of the same show. Passion shows through (and Sister Wendy might make a hash of Top Gear).

As well as passion, they need to be likeable. If you like someone, you are interested in what they have to say, if not, you're not. How likeable they are will come across the camera very clearly.

But do think about those technical skills which make the world of difference from a production viewpoint. If nothing else, the edit is massively easier if you don't have to chop too many false starts, overruns, etc., and the crew and talent are correspondingly happier if you wrap in a half-day as opposed to early hours. Less stress, less work, better product, same fee. Bonzer.

12 years, 6 months ago - Marlom Tander

As a VIEWER I've never really cared what presenters of either sex look like on TV, so long as they seem to be well groomed. Wrinkles are fine, sweat, less so. What matters is how they do at keeping it INTERESTING. I think the ageism thing is about TV producers being cowards. Rant over.