BS: Silly question about being on TV

Subject: Silly question about being on TV
From: GUEST
Date: 18 May 02 - 04:47 PM

As part of a promotion for an outdoor concert series, I am going to be on the local TV morning program next week. Another guitar player and I can play a 3 min. song, then we have to play out a couple of 30 sec. spots.

Here's my question -- We're playing on a closed set (no audience, the hosts get out of our way). Should I look into a camera whilst singing? At my playing partner? Into the middle distance? I am an experienced public performer, but never been in this environment, and I am concerned that gazing into a camera in this setting might come off as a bit odd/goofy/creepy.

Advice?

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: C-flat
Date: 18 May 02 - 05:05 PM

I've never played on T.V. so I suppose my opinion isn't worth much but I'd certainly advise you to look into the camera and make "eye contact" with the viewers. An occasional exchanged look between performers can give the impression of having fun doing what you're doing but primarily play to your audience. Hope you go well!

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: C-flat
Date: 18 May 02 - 05:08 PM

I've never played on T.V. so I suppose my opinion isn't worth much but I'd certainly advise you to look into the camera and make "eye contact" with the viewers. An occasional exchanged look between performers can give the impression of having fun doing what you're doing but primarily play to your audience. Hope you go well!

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: C-flat
Date: 18 May 02 - 05:11 PM

My opinion may not be worth much but you got it twice! oops!

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 May 02 - 06:53 PM

Somewhere I read that since each viewer is at home with their own television, you are actually singing to just one person. To make that person pleased and comfortable you've got to include the person in what you're doing.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 May 02 - 07:06 PM

Don't look into the camera, not directly and not for longer than, say, an nano second. You look like a publicity seeking twat.

Just look at your audience, your partner, anyone but the camera operator.

LTS Been there, done that.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 May 02 - 07:11 PM

But, Liz, in a closed set, the camera is your audience.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 May 02 - 07:18 PM

Look at the floor manager then.... not directly into the lens.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: harvey andrews
Date: 18 May 02 - 07:46 PM

Treat the set as an audience. i.e. hit the camera full on occasionally.Just sing your best and let the camera find it. Full on and a smile at the end of the performance.The producer will know when to cut.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Don Firth
Date: 18 May 02 - 08:28 PM

I was told "Don't spike the lens." That is, don't look directly at it. Look to the side of the lens maybe six inches or so, and it looks like you're looking out through the TV set. That's what newscasters usually do, especially if they're reading off a teleprompter.

Better yet, when you get to the studio, ask someone.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Don Firth
Date: 18 May 02 - 08:35 PM

Ignore my first paragraph. That's mostly for actors. When I was on TV years ago, nobody told my one way or the other about looking at the lens. I just did what came naturally and every went okay.

My second paragraph still holds.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 18 May 02 - 09:23 PM

I think it's best to look at the camera, just as in a performance you try to make eye contact with one person at at a time instead of gazing off into the distance. Imagine a friend sitting right behind the camera lens. It may also be a good idea to look at your partner once in a while--especially if you can arrange to look at one another--and smile!--at the same time ("when we get to the second chorus..."). When I've watched myself on video, what looks the worst is when I glance down or to the side.

I would suggest watching a few musical TV performances over the next few days, and see what the performers do that makes you most comfortable as a viewer.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 May 02 - 09:44 PM

You can establish an immediate rapport with your TV audience by mouthing unspoken phrases between verses of the song while gazing into the camera. Try "I love you" and "buy my CD". The beauty of it is, it works completely subliminally.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: GUEST,Blues=Life
Date: 18 May 02 - 09:56 PM

Remember, there will probably be more than one camera. The live one will have a light on it. Hey, there is no such thing as a silly question, but try to ask the expert. And that would be the show's producer. I guarentee that the request "What would you like us to do?" will a)give you what you need. b)impress the producer with your professionalism and maybe get you invited back. Break a leg. Blues

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 18 May 02 - 09:59 PM

If there is a producer or someone in charge of the shoot, ask. The answer may differ greatly depending on the wants/needs of those in charge.

My personal feeling is not to look into the camera. From my POV, it comes across as artificial and forced.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Mudlark
Date: 18 May 02 - 10:23 PM

For what it's worth, I'm with the not straight at the lens crowd...aside from asking, do what comes naturally...if you look like your are enjoying yourself, surely that will come across on TV...

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 May 02 - 01:58 AM

I've done a fair amount of TV performances. I generally do the same thing that I do when I am onstage anywhere. That is, often I am looking at my hands or instrument, smiling at my playing partners, and occasionally looking into the camera, just as if I were making eye contact with an audience member. But for the most part I just ignore the camera and enjoy the act of making music.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 19 May 02 - 04:49 AM

I should think that The show producer will advise you on where to look. If you are performing with another musician, then you should be communicating with that person as well. If it's in a studio then the TV camera man would be probably be moving around to get the best shots, etc?

Just be yourself and do your own thing!

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: fat B****rd
Date: 19 May 02 - 05:09 AM

Do all the above but chiefly enjoy yourselves !!!!!!!!!!!All the best from an only slightly green-eyed fB.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 19 May 02 - 05:44 AM

All of the comments are good but somewhat miss the point. I have done television shows with and without studio audiences.

If you have a studio audience there is no good reason not to play to them as you would in a normal performance and pretend that the camera does not exist.

If there is no studio audience then your audience is the the viewer at home. The only way you have to connect with that person is to appear to make eye contact. this is only achievable by looking directly into the camera, there is a little red light on the darned thing look at that light. To the viewer it creates the illusion of having you look directly at him or her.

That has been my experience, at any rate. Take it for whatever you may think it to be worth. Break a leg.

Stephen

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 02 - 09:27 AM

Stephen...

We did a commercial one year. There was no audience. The Producer specifically stated that we should not look into the camera. They panned directly in front of us, like a foot away from below the stage line (about a foot below our faces). That was damned hard to ignore, but ignore it we did, as it was the "artistic vision" of the person in charge. I would think that it all depends on the desires of those that are directing the shoot.

If, however, they answer any queries by saying "Do whatever feels most comfortable to you", then I would say do that.

If you feel forced to look into the camera, it may look forced. If you feel it artificial to look away and never acknowledge it, then that may be how it comes across.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 May 02 - 11:45 AM

On set smile plenty, maybe look at each other as a closing &/or starting tactic and otherwise look everywhere and especially into the camers but only to emphasize a word or so. Like (eg) a punchline looking up or sideways and then smile direct to camera for the guys who are a bit slow or have just switched-on.
Beware the media, they know little of folk, not much about you, and don't really care - but will sound like it for the duration. TV is fickle by definition. BUT don't let on you are aware of their jaundiced views - they are inudated with people with publicity wheezes and are keeping their distance - though I have to say in my experience it was dis-interest - otherwise you would know them from the clubs you frequent. Right? Or there knowledge of the subject!

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 May 02 - 04:47 PM

The only meaningful advice you'll get is from the people running the show. They may have very definite ideas about what they want - or they may have the common attitude of "whatever."

The advice to "focus on someone in the audience" is generally because it helps the performer feel like there is some contact. I doubt that you'll get that feeling from looking at the little red eye, and - especially if you have never done TV before - lots of folk have a tendency to "freeze up" looking at either the lens or the red dot.

Most TV viewers watch as "voyeurs." They expect to see something in which they don't really participate. Only if you are "the only one important" (for the moment) in the act AND if your song is one that can be construed as reasonably directed to a single "target person" who will take it personally - then emulate "eye contact," in what ever manner the production people recommend. Otherwise - do your act just as you would before an audience - pretending that you're focusing on someone where the audience would reasonably be.

A "trick" related to me once was to take a "program consultant," and inform the crew that you'll need to look at him/her occasionally during the performance - for cues(?). Ask them where your consultant should sit. Then don't giggle when your "consultant" makes faces at you.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Bert
Date: 20 May 02 - 03:48 AM

Oops, We did about 80 Mudcat Radio shows and I never even gave it a thought. Now that I think about it, I think that I would imagine an audience sitting around the camera and that the camera was an important member of the audience then just take it naturally from there.

Subject: RE: BS: Silly question about being on TV
From: Genie
Date: 21 May 02 - 02:45 AM

Well, there are a lot of videos you can see to get an idea of how YOU would like to come across. E.g., if you see videos on VH1 or CMT or Austin City Limits, or even Lawrence Welk, in some of them the artists seem to be looking right at you and in others, they don't at all, and others they seem to scan the audience, occasionally glancing at you. Which style is the one you would choose?

If you want to come across as looking at the audience, try the advice above about looking 'through' the camera or just above or below the lens, perhaps. (Some people use this as a way of maintaining "eye contact" during conversations with others without appearing to stare. They look at a spot between the other person's eyes or just above them.)

Genie