Media Training with Stephanie Hunt

ON CAMERA NERVES + NAILING YOUR KEY MESSAGE

It’s that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. You’re hot, so hot. Your hands are clammy and sweat is starting to prick your neck and pool on your upper lip. Suddenly the camera is in your face and the industry-sized blinding lights are flicked on. You’re told there are ten seconds until the live interview begins. You don’t know how to stand, where to look and you’re worried your stripy shirt won’t work on camera. You’re desperately trying to remember your key messages. What if you say the wrong thing or your mind goes blank? Will the journalist try to trick you? The room is now feeling small and starting to spin. Can someone open a window!? Your eyes are darting around looking for the nearest exit. You want to run. You now have two seconds before the camera starts rolling. You don’t know if you can do it…

WE CAN HELP

For many people, facing a live TV interview is one of their greatest fears. Just the thought of going live is enough to make many feel physically ill. There is a fear of looking silly, going blank, saying the wrong thing or even falling over. I understand. Many professional broadcasters will tell you it doesn’t always go to plan. Even the pros have bad days. But, there is a basic framework that will help you look and feel comfortable on camera. And with practice, sharing your message with the media can be an experience more like this:

NOW YOU’RE A MEDIA STAR

You have butterflies in your stomach, but you’re excited and feel in control. You feel focussed, prepared and in high spirits. You feel present and notice it’s a nice day outside and admire the artwork on the wall next to you. The journalist and camera crew approach you and you say, ‘Hi’ and have a chat. The journo says you’ll be live in ten seconds. You relax into position, know exactly where to look and nail your key messages exactly as you wanted. You navigate your way nicely through the curly questions. The interview finishes and you’re happy with the result. You thank the journalist and crew and walk off, looking forward to your next on-camera interview.

So, we will help and support you, every step of the way, until you’re ready for even the toughest media scenario.

WHO IS STEPHANIE HUNT?

That’s me! In my 20-year career as an international journalist/producer, I’ve been at the top of the media game. I’ve produced interviews with the Dalai Lama, Black Eyed Peas and political leaders. I’ve worked as supervising producer at Seven Network Sydney, program editor at Al Jazeera English Doha, and broadcast journalist for BBC World News London, HARDtalk and Sky News London.

I’ve been in the thick of breaking news stories including terror attacks, natural disasters, the inauguration of Barack Obama and the European refugee crisis. I’ve called the shots and directed teams of journalists, producers and presenters on news angles, lines of questioning and studio guest choices.

In August, I delivered a TEDx talk on the lessons she has learnt from remote African tribes. I’ve also presented a travel safety video series from the streets of Colombia for worldnomads.com.

What We Cover

I know first-hand how the news cycle works and the best way to get your message across. Choose a half day, full day or ongoing session and my camera crew and I’ll walk you through everything from presenting and delivery to handling nerves and tough questions. I’ll coach you through LIVE TV scenarios with industry lights, cameras and microphones. Your session will be filmed, which means your performance can be reviewed on the spot. You’ll also receive a copy of the interviews.

Your session will cover the following:

1. The News Cycle

UNDERSTANDING THE MEDIA

• How does a newsroom run? How does the 24/7 news cycle work? Who calls the shots? Understanding the lingo. The role of social media.

GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS

• How do you make your key messages cut through? What do journalists want? What do journalists not want? Presentation and delivery. The dos and don’ts of nailing your interview.