Now presenting: you!
It’s time to make your TV dreams a reality on Presenter Search.
Presenter Search On 3 Season 4 Thursdays (from 10 May) SABC3 (*193) 19:30
Do you have huge dreams of not just watching television, but being on it? That dream is about to come true, because Presenter Search On 3 (2010- current) is back. SABC3 is looking for fresh faces to join the teams of glam magazine show Top Billing (1992- current), weekday breakfast show Expresso (2010- current) and talk-show Afternoon Express (2015current). We asked previous winner and current Top Billing star Jonathan Boynton-Lee for insider tips and hints…
What were you worried about when you auditioned?
That I wasn’t good enough. It’s important to get over this feeling quickly, otherwise your mind will sabotage your audition. Let go and enjoy the moment; you have no control over what’s going to happen. That was my strategy for the whole process and it worked beautifully because my enjoyment of each and every second translated on camera. The judges are looking for someone fresh, not a replica of another presenter. Your first audition will probably suck. Mine did. But they saw potential and that’s all they want during the early stages.
How do you highlight interesting aspects of yourself for your “link” [when speaking to the camera to introduce a topic]?
Keep things fresh, original and short. Don’t rehearse too much. It needs to come across as natural and spontaneous as possible. Technically, we improvise in everyday life all the time. There just aren’t daunting cameras pointed at us. Plus, have two generic links ready that could be used on the spot.
How do you hit the aspirational lifestyle note when you don’t have money?
That’s the whole point of an aspirational show, to inspire people who don’t have much to dream big and reach for the stars, no matter your circumstance.
The camera can be pretty intimidating…
Pretend that the camera is your best friend and talk to it exactly like that. Practice doing your link while looking into a camera and get used to.
Being shy doesn’t mean you can’t be a hit on TV, does it?
Embrace the shyness as it can come across as very endearing. You just need to find that balance between being an outgoing presenter and not losing the shy aspect. No one likes a person who comes across too arrogant or over- confident on camera. So what should you avoid?
Trying to be someone else. And leave your ego and attitude at the door. They don’t want people who are in this for the fame. What sort of assistance will contestants have before each “challenge”?
Very little. You need to be able to think on your feet. But the crew are amazing when it comes to guidance. We’ve got the best in the biz on standby to answer any questions, so ask lots of questions! You are getting a crash course in presenting and making television, something that money cannot buy.
How much time does it really take to shoot a segment?
Just five minutes of screen time takes a whole day of shooting, a massive team on set and behind the scenes, many hours of prep and then many hours to do the edit and sound. As a presenter, you have to know your subject matter inside out and arrive on set prepared for anything. A great presenter is able to not only present and ask questions, but guide the story in a way that will work well for the final edit. You need to find those magic moments that viewers will love.