Joanne the Coach

TV Interviews - What to do When You Feel Nervous

It's been a while since we had an extract from The Beginner's Guide to TV Interviews, so here's another one to add to your collection.

It's all about what to do when you're experiencing pre-show nerves.

What to do if You Feel Nervous About Your TV Interview

Congratulate yourself – you’re a human being with feelings after all.  It is absolutely 100% normal to feel a nervous surge of adrenaline before you do a TV interview.  Even TV presenters who have appeared on screen every day for years and years still regularly get the jangles.

One of the things that used to amaze me when I was working in TV was seeing some of the most famous faces in the land chain-smoking and practically throwing up with nerves before doing a simple TV appearance to plug their latest venture. 

Actors are especially prone to interview nerves, which can be surprising because you’d think that they’re trained to perform.  But whilst that’s true, remember that they’re trained to speak other people’s words and can often feel on shaky ground when they’re asked to appear as themselves, with no script. 

An actor once told me that daytime talk shows are particularly nerve-wracking for his profession, because that’s what they all watch when they’re ‘resting’ between jobs.  He knew all his mates were likely to be scrutinising his performance when he was on This Morning. 

Personally, I think it’s kind of comforting to know that even big names get the collywobbles.  Think about that the next time you watch someone being interviewed on TV – 5 minutes beforehand they were probably a gibbering wreck in the green room

The kinds of things I’ve seen people use to conquer their TV nerves include:
• Alcohol – not as in getting blind drunk, though some do indulge in a discreet tot of brandy from a hip flask.  Probably not a good idea for the morning shows though.
• Cigarettes
• Bach Rescue Remedy
• Nail biting
• Caffeine
• Arguing with partners/agents/production crew
• Deep breathing
• Repeated visits to the toilet
• Illegal Drugs
• Walking up and down in the corridor repeatedly
• Rehearsing what they want to say

In truth, none of these responses is the definitive one, and I’m certainly not recommending that you take up booze and fags simply to make the passage into TV stardom a little easier.  But one of the most useful things you can do to prepare yourself for TV interviews is to take some time now to know yourself and how you best deal with nerves. 

One great book that will help you with this is Susan Jeffers’ classic Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway – I recommend reading this book if nerves are the only thing stopping you from going for TV success.  And even if you never read it, the title alone is a great mantra to carry with you.

Remember that your nerves will always be more apparent to you than anyone else.  They will see a gliding swan, no matter how madly the legs are kicking underneath.

(c) Joanne Mallon 2008

This article is extracted from The Beginner's Guide To TV Interviews.  The full ebook can be ordered via this page.

Journalism Jobs - Show and Tell Time

It can be such a chore trawling through the ads when you're looking for a new job in journalism.  How helpful of someone to have gathered the best jobs together in one handy blog. 

And while you're looking, be sure to play the job ads drinking game.  A snifter of your favourite herbal tea every time you spot one of these phrases:

• Must be prepared to hit the ground running (AKA No training or induction available.  Know what to do without being told or feck off, softy)
• We offer a creative office environment (AKA sometimes we go to the pub on a Tuesday)
• Bulging contacts book essential (don't try to fluff this one as they will measure the bulge)
• Flexible approach mandatory (AKA you'll be working 24 hours a day, minimum)
• Lots of scope for potential (AKA the job itself is dull as dishwater but at least you get to make tea for people doing interesting stuff)

Getting into Television: Opportunities for Students and Newbies

Just got wind of these schemes.  Don't know much about them so leave a comment if you can enlighten us with more info:

1. Royal Televison Society Student Masterclasses.  Takes place on 16th May.  The masterclasses accompany the RTS's Student Television Awards, and offer a chance to grill a selection of TV's big kahunas on the secret of their success (and if you tell you anything other than that they're making it up as they go along, don't believe them).
2. ITV Factual & Entertainment Researcher Scheme.  Open to all, applications close on the 30th May 2008.  This scheme runs for 20 months from Sep '08 and promises working opportunities across a wide range of ITV programmes (not all of them presented by Ant and Dec).

Top Ten Bad Ads: Me Against the Fish Hooks

The Advertising Standards Authority has announced its 10 most complained about adverts of the year.

I am not by nature a complainer - the coaching way is a practical one, so we aim to look for solutions rather than whinge about stuff.

But then my child started having nightmares about people with fish hooks in their mouths.

This notorious anti-smoking ad was everywhere in 2007.  We saw it on billboards on the school run.  Go out for a day trip and there it was on the back of the loo door at motorway services.  Turn on the telly on Saturday afternoon and there it was again, popping up in the breaks between an old movie.  You couldn't have avoided it if you'd tried (and we really did try).  And over a year later, I still have to check there are no nasty fish hook faces lurking in public loos before my children will go in.

So for the first time in my life I made an official complaint to the ASA.  So did 773 others.

Would you believe that this was a Department of Health campaign, funded by public money?  Well thanks a lot chaps.  If I want to scare my children I am quite capable of putting on a scary face and doing so myself. No fish hooks required.

But if it stops people smoking, is it worth it?  Does the end always justify the means?

Television Opportunities for Youngsters & Writers

So if the previous post hasn't put you off shimmying up the greasy pole of television, here are a couple of TV industry opportunities currently up for grabs:

• Applications are now open to join The Network (formerly TVYP) at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival.  Open to anyone aged 18+, it promises an orgy of masterclasses, career advice and the chance to work with some of the biggest names in TV.  No real orgies though (unless you get lucky). Closing date:  21st May.  Full details here

• The BBC is looking for a new bunch of writers for its Drama Writers Academy.  Application details here, closes 12th May.  They train you up for months, then you get to write dialogue consisting of "Rickaaaaaay" for EastEnders.