Discover Asia


Media Training 101: Mastering the Television Interview

As I travel around the world I always enjoyhead in relation to the TV camera.Leaning
sampling the media in differentforward slightly will give you more presence
countries.Even if I don't speak Thai, Bahasaand intimacy, as well as making you look
or Mandarin, watching local news servicesthinner.5. Avoid looking directly at the
always provides a unique insight into localcameraHaving been a TV weather presenter,
culture.I was recently watching a story on alooking directly at a TV camera to deliver
new biotech company on Channel News Asia inmessages is a really challenging skill.Avoid
Singapore. The story had interviews with bothlooking directly at the camera unless you're
the China-based CEO and biotech venturea seasoned pro.6. Look at the interviewerLook
capitalists in Singapore.One of the visualdirectly at the journalist to avoid
images that struck me was how professional,'wandering eyes' syndrome. Looking around
persuasive and powerful the Chinese CEOfurtively will make you appear shifty and
looked compared to the Singaporeuntrustworthy.7. Always control the
interviewees.The simple difference was thebackground visualsControl the background of
Chinese CEO was wearing a dark suit jacketyour TV interview with the message you want
whereas the Singpore-based talent simply hadto convey. Your logo flashed up behind you
on a tie and white shirt.Attention to detailfor 7 seconds can be worth upwards of $50,000
like this can make or break your image andin free branding.8. Work on your "quotable
ability to persuade others.Here are the Topquote"Your media message must be succinct,
10 Tips for TV Interviews:1. Avoid the phrasememorable and to the point.9. Avoid milk,
"I think"This phrase weakens the impact ofcaffeine and alcoholMilk will clog up your
your message and sound bite. It adds no valuemouth and caffeine and alcohol will dull your
and should be avoided.2. Always wear a darksenses and make you want to go to the
jacket for business interviewsAlways have ontoilet.Stick to water and make sure you are
hand a dark jacket to wear for TV interviews.fully hydrated.10. PracticeNothing is known
This will give your body shape conveyingto improve your skills more than rehearsing,
confidence, credibility and charisma.3. Avoidpractising and then reviewing your
white shirts without jacketsA white shirtperformance.Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an
without a jacket is going to make your headinternational business speaker, consultant
look like a pale, washed out balloon floatingand award-winning broadcaster. Media
around the screen. Avoid this unless you haveMotivators is his regular electronic magazine
a great tan or dark complexion.4. Leanread by 7,000 professionals in 15 different
slightly forward towards the cameraThat greatcountries.You can subscribe by visiting
Western Australian-born TV communicator,Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388
artist and inventor of the wobbleboard, Rolf6888 and is available to speak to your
Harris was a master at creating intimacy withconference, seminar or event.
viewers by subtle changes to the angle of his



1 A B C D E 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129