HOSTING & CONTENT CREATION
With Demo Reel Footage!
Are you an actor who would like to feel more comfortable being yourself on camera?
Are you interested in becoming a television host, content creator or influencer? This inspirational workshop gives you the tools to help you become an effective, efficient, set-ready "on-camera communicator."
In this five-week course, you will develop and build your personal brand by creating meaningful and engaging content and discover how to share your stories with greater impact! You’ll also get camera time on set and on location, creating great content for you take away to start your hosting reel, or your content sharing platform.
All actors will benefit enormously from the skills gained in this workshop, whether they have the desire to ultimately be a host or not.
You don’t want to be that actor who can’t perform in an on-camera interview or presenting at the Academy Awards unable to read a prompter or engage with your co-host… right?
This course culminates in a full day shoot with a professional crew.
HOSTING and CONTENT CREATION with NICK HARDCASTLE - includes DEMO REEL FOOTAGE!
NICK HARDCASTLE- HOST, ACTOR, PRODUCER
Nick has an extensive hosting career in his native Australia, fronting shows on ABC TV, Nickleodeon, Network 7 and Ten and was nominated for an LA press club award for his reporting work on the Emmy winning SoCal Connected for KCET. He has coached TV hosts at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (N.I.DA) Australia, The London Academy of Media U.K and worked as a talent consultant for on air hosts on CCTV Beijing and GXTV Guang Xi in China.
"I worked closely with Nick to develop my natural wellness brand, which at that stage was still a vague collection of ideas. Nick helped me identify my key messages, and from them develop a cohesive brand story. Creating excellent video content was key in making ‘The Garden Apothecary’ a success, and simply wouldn’t have happened had it not been for Nick’s knowledge and passion. Apart from directing the shoots, he also worked with me directly on my presenting skills. He took a complete newbie and coached me to be able to create content that has since been picked up by multiple online platforms and racked up hundreds of thousands of views. That same content has since secured me representation, a publishing contract, and ongoing television work. Without a doubt none of this would have been possible without Nick’s efforts and expertise.” - Reece Carter, ‘The Garden Apothecary’ #herbnerd
Week 1 - You are unique!
In week one we examine the following questions; Where do you see yourself in the cultural landscape of media? Who is your audience? How do you want to be perceived by them? Each week we’ll do voice, breath and body work as well as camera technique. You’ll be on camera from day one as we start the journey of learning to define and refine your personal brand and message– there will be playback and feedback after every exercise.
Week 2 – Charisma? Personality? X Factor? Expertise?
What is it about you that makes you stand out and can it be developed? This week we focus on strengthening your unique point of view. We will do generic script work exercises that will allow you to put your authentic stamp on each piece. We look at dynamics in delivery as well as scripting, the active and passive voice and eliminating small talk by understanding the key messages or points and refining your message. Then we take those scripts and do stand ups to camera under time limits in an exercise in managing time. Each week we continue to add new elements in to the great juggling act of hosting.
Week 3 – Introduction to the interview
We take a look at what it takes to nail a successful interview beyond preparation and the ability to really listen. We’ll look at paralanguage, eye lines, rate, pitch tone and amplification of speech, building rapport and dealing with difficult ‘guests’. We’ll also break into group to form a panel to discuss particular topics/issues, taking on board all that we have learned so far.
Week 4 – Teleprompter and Co-hosting
This week we will work as though we are on a real set. You’ll understand the roles of each person on a studio floor. Each participant will get the opportunity to do a cold read off prompter, a prepared piece of their own script and a co-host piece in a live to air scenario. As with each filmed exercise, there will be playback and feedback.
Week 5 - Studio and Location Shoot
The final class will culminate in the shooting of pieces developed over the previous 4 weeks. This will include a studio and location shoot for each participant as well as a group panel and teleprompter piece. All participants will receive a copy of their edited footage.