- Is that you in the PetMeds commercial with a dog?
- Are you the Leg Pillow girl?
- What skills do you need to get into television hosting?
- What type of training do you recommend for someone who wants to go into hosting?
- College. If you are going to college, definitely take Broadcast Journalism. I have a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia Journalism School but did not focus on Broadcast. I regret it.
- Improv. If you don't live in a town where an improv class or troupe is available, Second City Training Center in Chicago offers Adult Summer Camps for a week-long intensive. Improv is probably the most necessary skill to hosting these days - there just aren't that many straight-up Prompter shows anymore.
- Radio. Working in radio may be the most creative experience you'll ever have - far more creative than working in television. Radio is generally not a well-paying profession but the skills gained are invaluable. The way to get a foot in the door is to intern (call the program director) - you'll have to do it for free but consider it a tuition-free education. Do not call the jocks to try and get into the station - they usually have very little influence; in addition, they tend to look down on "chronic" callers and this behavior may prevent you from working at the station . . . even if they act as if they like you.
- Acting Classes. As a host, people at home need to see that you are talking and sharing with them individually. Of course, in reality, you are staring at a cold, impersonal camera and a disinterested crew surrounds you. You must make the camera personal and intimate. I believe applying the basics of acting to hosting gigs achieves this relationship.
- Hobbies. Producers now want a host who is also an "expert" in the subject matter. Because of this, producers are willing to overlook a lack of on-camera experience in favor of expertise. So, the more hobbies you have, the better your chances of getting a sweet gig!
- How do you get a job at a cable network?
- How can I get my songs published? AND How do I get a record deal in country music?
- Who are your favorite singers and songs?
- You Move Me - Garth Brooks
- I Just Wanted You to Know - Mark Chestnut
- Cowboy Take Me Away - Dixie Chicks
- Where Did I Go Wrong (Where Did He Go Right) - Steve Wariner
- Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks
- True Blue Love - Lou Gramm
- What I'd Say - Earl Thomas Conley
- Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) - Garth Brooks
- Beautiful Day - U2
- Devil Went Down to Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band
YES - I remember on the shoot, the makeup artist told me
"you should let your uneven complexion be your calling card." Interestingly,
she meant that as a compliment.
YES - that was the very first commercial I ever did and a hurricane
was blowing in at the time of the shoot. If you see the product in Walgreens, those
are my thighs wrapped around the pillow shown on the box (therefore adding the dubious
credit of "crotch model" to my resume). The director kept telling me I was
"too believable" while demonstrating pain and asked me to do one that was over
the top. I did a ridiculous take as a joke. Of course, that's the one they used in
the spot. Lesson: when you see really bad acting, it's not necessarily
the actors who stink, it could be the direction.
Hosting is not an exact science nor is it a piece of cake. The only skill you
need to have, technically, is reading a TelePrompTer (yes, that's how you spell it!)
without your eyes moving. From what I've experienced, it's an ability God either
gave you or He didn't (like rolling your tongue). Cue cards and memorization are also
important. I personally despise cue cards - Letterman and Leno are masters of
it, primarily because they are set up to be looking at the studio audience
and not necessarily at the camera. The idea of cue cards is generally to
make it look like you're looking at the camera, but since the talent's eyes
are not looking directly at the camera, it generally disconnects them from the viewer.
More opportunities exist to host shows through independent production companies
than to work for a cable network. The MTV Networks and E! seem to hire contract
hosts to handle many shows, but most networks hire through the show. To audition,
you typically need to be represented by an agent, but not always - especially as
producers make a show out of finding the next "VJ," "Martha Stewart," "host of
The View," etc. I was lucky enough to find a reputable agent in New York who
agreed to represent me even though I lived in Miami - we agreed I'd fly in at
my own expense for auditions. Fortunately for my pocketbook, I landed the
second gig I auditioned for.
The Million Dollar Question. There is a fantastic book that really spells it
all out titled, The Songwriter's and Musician's Guide to Nashville, by Sherry
Bond (Allworth Press). Amazon.com sells it. If you are serious, you will
have to move to Nashville. If you're a musician, you must learn Nashville's
unique number system way of writing and reading music. If you're looking for
a record deal, expect to put in 5 to 8 years before "making it" - that's just
how long it takes. If you're truly serious and you're shopping for colleges,
consider Belmont University. It breeds country musicians and executives.
My favorite artists are Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks. My favorite artists on a
personal level (and I love their music, too): Blake Shelton, Steve Azar, and
Daniel Lee Martin.