Hillside Media Training

What a coup for Sky News  this morning – their exclusive and oh so very casual interview/chat with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad hinting that he would like to meet with Obama ? The power of the journalist in that relaxed moment to catch a relaxed interviewee off guard should never be underestimated. We encourage our clients to never say anything without preparation, even that off the cuff remark!

What remains to be seen is whether the Syrian President  was caught unawares and spilt out the inner contents of his mind or whether the whole event was carefully planned by his ‘people’. If it was, what a brilliant moment. What a wonderful stage – this relaxed beautiful couple – almost the Obamas of the Middle East - strolling out in the night, holding out an olive branch possibly to Isreal and the world?

Well done Sky!

Yes Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win was impressive but why wasn’t I glued to the set during the match? In fact I was driven to keep wandering out to find something else to do. There is a huge difference between what works on screen and what works in the flesh. Often some TV presenters you meet in the flesh are strangely plain but the camera loves them and they light the screen.

Poor old Murray is not blessed yet with on screen looks. He may be magnificent when you are actually there watching him in Centre Court but just why doesn’t he translate to the TV screen?

Like many people he or his PR team have not yet realised that any interview on radio and TV should be a managed, controlled performance. We producers are not looking for actors or automatons but real characters who look and sound passionate and enthusiastic. McEnroe and the other on air commentators can bleat on how great Murray is but we the audience can’t see it! When he speaks to the interviewer after the match, he breaks one of the cardinal rules of a good TV presence. Just look at his eye line. He looks away before he answers any question – the viewer interprets that as shifty or unsure. He has nervous tics which betray his unease even when he has just delivered a 3 straight set victory. For God’s sake, he should be on cloud 9.The adrenaline should still be flowing . But he scratches his head. He looks down. He even sounds defensive. Even more surprising, at the end of the interview when he thinks it’s all over his shoulders collapse and he appears awkward. He looks dare I say it –DEFEATED!

Come on Andy –  Today you were a winner. You need to look like one. What you need is some TV Training!!