I have a theory about people who are strong on-camera communicators.
If you are one of these people: I can dip you head to toe in plaster- with
your arms at your side- cut a few holes for your eyes.. nostrils.. and
mouth.. then wheel you vertically balanced on a dolly to face a camera.
If you're using the right skills you can rivet your viewers as you share the
news with them. Reporting.. anchoring.. it’s all the same.
The innate skill they have- or that they’ve learned- are based on 2
mindsets:
The Twinkle of Recognition. It's that warm but strong eye contact that
each of us thinks is aimed directly at us. When I watch you on my TV
or laptop, I find it hard to believe that you're also speaking to a person
down the block.. in a condo in Seattle.. or on a houseboat off the Florida
Keys. If we had a focus group of 8 smart people and asked them 'What
do you think [the journalist] is really saying? ' - their answers could be
as varied as
'Hey- I'm glad you got that haircut.'
'I know Jimmy's expecting to drive alone for the first time today- but it's
pretty treacherous out there and you'll have to tell him he can't take the
car. '
'Yes- it's the area your cousin is moving to.'
As you're getting ready to speak: you should take a nanosecond to remind
yourself of the purpose of your job. You want to share information
with people who want their news- and they are choosing at this point in time
to get it from a person – vs. from a newspaper or from newsfeeds on a
computer screen.
It's not about you. It's about us. We're talking back to you..
groaning.. nodding.. calling someone to share something you just told us.
We are there and responding.
I remember working with someone who was already terrific at his job- but
felt he needed a checkup despite my protests. He nailed his first
anchor block- but frowned and shook his head. When I asked what the
problem was he said 'I forget why I'm doing this.. I forget who's out
there".
House-Popping. It's a subtle thing. It's not about how you're
sitting. It's not about what you're doing with your arms or hands.. or
how confidently you stare into the camera. It's bearing in mind that
each reported street name.. each town.. every crime or accomplishment.. each
struggle- hits home for someone or is significant to someone they know.
Are they finally fixing those potholes? Is this volunteer job one that
your friend might like? Is it sad but lucky that this company is
the one you rejected because of the commute? Is this new medical news
pertinent to your mom's neighbor? You are House-Popping: Popping in
and out of doors- speaking to one person at a time.
So remember: you are not addressing an impressive swath of viewers.
You're just having an intimate chat with me.
Joanne Stevens
Previously featured on
the Radio Television Digital News Association
as the News Coach blog series.