The title of this post should be "How not to be on TV" and if it was - I starred in it last week.
The television show stared me last week. The amount of hate mail I've received regarding my appearance with Rob Evans is astounding. He has either a huge fan base or I have a lot of ex-girlfriends reading this week.
Here's some rules:
1. Listen to your host and enjoy yourself. TV spots are short. The time restraints for television stations is small. It takes a team of highly skilled managers and technical talent to execute a television program. Each member has to execute routines in very short intervals for a successful program.
In relation to news, The text of one Broadsheet Page (like the Wall Street Journal) has more text than the transcript of an hour long television show.
A completed television news package could last from 15 seconds to 3 minutes.
2. On the camera side, photogs and graphic designers have to change shots every 2 - 5 seconds.
3. The weatherman's job is harder than you think. Having to effectively navigate the green screen takes coordination and choreography.
4. The television news director's job is more similiar to radio than a newspaper newsroom. The networks syndicate a majority of packages which are pre-ordained. Radios and Scanners going off in the background. Sound is everywhere and in the newsroom as KSFX/KOLR which produces the website Ozarks First, there is a lot of multi-tasking. I can't imagine there is ever a dull day.
5. When you're on the air: Listen to the host and have a good time. The Broadcaster giving you an interview wants to deliver news in an entertaining way. Listen to him. He's trying to have a conversation not an interview. Think topical, brief but not short and curt. It's his audience and his show and he wants the production to be good. There is a sideshow and multiple questions he's having to follow.
You don't want to know the stress he's under when you're live-on-the-air. It's a sure way to choke. Belive me, I'm living proof. (Lastly, if the cameraman is doing jumping jacks - that isn't a good thing)
6. Never drive to the television station with an ex unless you want to learn the inefficiencies of public transportation and publically respond to tremendous pressure. Particularly if doesn't put you in a good mood beforehand.
7. Help other people. A network is only as strong as the weakest link. The strongest networks have no central point of failure.
8. Become a resource and helping the press, a community of interest and those wishing to generate it. Provide content and news they can use. As you make it easier for news directors to acquire information, you're adding value.
9. Publish frequently and keep it real.
10. Don't wear a cap with a beer logo on it. You might lose a ten dollar bet, but isn't your dignity worth more?
