Master Class Tip 14

Finding Your Inner Viewer

In conversation, human beings change dramatically based on who they believe they are talking to.

Imagine for a moment you've been cast in a movie and only have one line:

"Good morning. How are you?"

Sounds easy enough. But you have to deliver the line three times, in three different scenes:

• In the first scene you're waking a three-year-old on a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning.
  
  
• In the second, you're greeting your dentist just before he performs a root canal on your aching tooth.
  
  
• And in the third you're greeting your significant other after the most incredible night of lovemaking you've ever enjoyed.
  

The words in every scene are exactly the same, but if you do your job well your performance in each case will be singular and different. What matters is not what you're saying, but who you believe you're saying it to.

When you are addressing a camera, the viewer is always a figment of your imagination — and the way you choose to imagine her (or him) will directly and powerfully effect the quality of your delivery.

So, how do you imagine the viewer in a way that brings out the best in you when you are on the air? Try this exercise:

• Make a list of all the things you want viewers to believe are true about you. That you are credible, smart, warm, caring, believable — whatever qualities are most important to you.
  
  
• Now make a list of people in your life who already believe those things are true about you. You don't have to tell anyone who it is. It can be a parent, good friend, teacher — anyone you really believe knows and respects you in the ways you would like to be known and respected by viewers.
  
  
• Address the camera as if you were talking one-on-one with that person.
  
  

All sorts of good things will happen when you believe you are talking to someone who really believes in you and wants to hear what you have to say. And in addition to communicating more powerfully, don't be surprised if you find yourself more relaxed and enjoying the work more.

As always, we'd love to hear anything you have to add. If you have additional questions or thoughts, please contact us.

Be sure to ask us about TCC's Desktop Coach, the industry's first online talent development system for News Directors. Call Jonathan Knopf at 214-520-2000 for more information.