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The Passionate Speaker
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
– Albert EinsteinA Newsletter for Speakers By Michael Landrum October, 2003 — Number 58 Appearing on Television "It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." -Whitney Young, Jr., 1922-1971 Television offers a tremendous opportunity to a speaker, but as uncle Albert says, it is often surrounded by difficulties. Yes, television can make you - but it can also break you. In 1960, Jack Kennedy understood the medium, Richard Nixon did not. Kennedy accepted the make-up when it was offered, Nixon declined it for macho reasons and his five-o'clock shadow beard cost him the debate and the election. You might say he lost by a whisker. Television amplifies some aspects of your presentation and nullifies others. Here are some thoughts on using this dynamic and powerful communication tool. Posture sends a message. Slump and you look weak, go stiffly to attention and you seem rigidly inhuman. Anxiety will often create tension in the neck and shoulders, rounding and sinking forward and down into a "hang-dog" look that provokes pity, if not contempt in your viewers. If you read from a page on the lectern, you must drop your eyes and withdraw from your listeners. If you drop your head back, you may seem to be looking down your nose and forcing your audience to look up your nose. Is that an attractive idea? A relaxed alertness is the best posture. Take a comfortable, athletic stance with the feet shoulder-width apart, weight evenly balanced, knees flexed, arms and hands at the sides ready to gesture when called upon. Let your chest ride high and your head rest level, eyes aligned to the horizon. Let your shoulders fall away to the sides and your neck extend to its full length. Put your attention on the nape of your neck rather than your adam's apple. Imagine your head floating easily, as far above your shoulders as possible. Television exaggerates your gestures, so take care to make your moves moderate. Remember that a cameraman is not a mind reader, so give a little warning by telegraphing a move with a hand gesture or appropriate comment if you rise from a chair or walk across the set for instance. Suddenly jumping up or leaving the frame can make you appear out of control. When sitting, it's best to lean forward slightly. Leaning back in a chair can create all sorts of unhappy impressions - you might seem careless, indolent, dull, uninterested or tired. Also, sitting in a slump does unattractive things to the body - your chest becomes caved in, your belly paunches into a swell spare tire, and wattles appear beneath your chins. A better model is the posture adopted by hosts and guests on Larry King Live or the Jim Leherer Newshour - they are given a counter on which to lean forward which has them thrusting their heads forward energetically. If there is nothing but soft upholstery, ask for a board beneath the cushion and sit as erectly as possible. You want to maintain a posture of alert and forceful energy, positive and firm. Teleprompters: These devices are a godsend to speakers and newscasters, and they are used in two different situations. One type is used in delivering a speech to a live audience as the President's annual State of the Union speech to Congress. It is simply an angled pane of glass which reflects the words from a computer monitor above which it is suspended. There are usually two of them, to either side of the speaker's lectern. They provide the speaker with the text and the illusion of eye contact through the glass. The second type of Teleprompter is one that is attached to the front of a television camera, again with a pane of glass reflecting a computer screen with the text, but this time the video camera shoots right through the glass all the time. The effect of this prompter is to allow the television audience the impression that the speaker is talking to them directly, with full eye contact. This is the setup in every major newsroom where the anchorperson is reporting directly to the audience. An ability to read interpretively is the skill this technology requires - that is, to read without sounding as though you are reading. Some people have a natural ability to read a text easily, comfortably and conversationally - others need a little coaching. One danger, especially with the on-camera setup, is over-focusing on the words of the text with the eyes. If you narrow your vision to one word at a time, the audience will see your eyes moving from side to side as you read. This destroys the illusion that you are reaching through the screen and speaking directly to the listener. To avoid this, widen your field of vision to include the entire prompter screen - look with "soft eyes." Facial expression is crucial. It is wise, if not essential, to maintain a positive, benevolent demeanor when facing a television camera. Fear, doubt, uncertainty, self-consciousness, and anger all become amplified on camera; and what may feel like a thoughtfully neutral expression can read as a hostile scowl. Still, an insincere, pasted on grin is hardly any better. To adopt a winning facial expression requires a bit of "method acting." Imagine your viewers to be a group of friendly supporters whom you are pleased to address. Reassure them with your pleasant attitude and warm smile. Wear the pressure lightly and gracefully and make it look easy. A Few Thoughts to Ponder "I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention." -Diane Sawyer ABC Television Anchor "Imitation is the sincerest form of television." - Fred Allen (1894 1956) "The market did not express a need for electromagnetism, television, or the telephone. Scientific discovery and technological innovation made them possible; and from the possibilities, market demands arose." -- Stan Davis Time has convinced me of one thing. Television is for appearing on, not looking at. - Noel Coward (attrib) I did my first television show a month ago and the next day five million television sets were sold. The people who couldn't sell theirs threw them away. - Bob Hope, 1950 ©2001-2003 Michael F. Landrum |
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