And Actors

 There are two categories for television talent  Performers ▪ Engaged in nondramatic activities ▪ Play themselves  Actors ▪ Always portray someone else ▪ Project the characters personality not their own

 ALL Talent  Communicate with viewers through TV camera  Interact with other TV personnel

 Performance Techniques  Performer and camera ▪ Camera represents your audience ▪ Using multiple cameras  You need to know which one is on air  If switch is needed move smoothly  Performer and audio ▪ Speak clear and effectively ▪ Keep volume and energy up until the end

 Performer and timing ▪ TV operates on split second timing ▪ Know how much you can cover in 3, 2, 1 min, etc  Floor manager’s cues ▪ Be familiar with floor manager cues ▪ If the FM is new, review cues before the show  Prompting devices ▪ Essential in maintaining eye contact while delivering info ▪ Practice in order to become better

 Actor and audience ▪ Screen acting is not played for a live audience ▪ Talent must be natural  Despite camera and crew presence  Actor and blocking ▪ Actors must move to preplanned rehearsed movement ▪ Not doing so can mean production disaster  Memorizing lines ▪ Teleprompters are not available as in performance ▪ Lines must be learned

 Actor and timing ▪ Actors should have good timing ▪ Timing matters for pacing the performance  Director/actor ▪ Actors should understand the directors role ▪ Helps understand directors responsibilities

 Those interested in talent  Should learn as much as possible about acting  An able actor is usually an effective TV performer

 Auditions  Preparation ▪ When given script before hand (study it carefully) ▪ If preparing for a commercial (learn the product well)  Creativity ▪ Be creative without overdoing it. ▪ Sometimes adding the extra/unique element ▪ Can win you the part