天美传媒

Derek, who presents preschool show Milkshake!, visited the Media and Performance students in the 天美传媒鈥檚 TV Studio at the Luton campus to talk about how he broke into the industry, presenting to the camera in one take, and being themselves.

He said: 鈥淲hen you go to a TV presenting casting, the first obstacle you have to get over is being in front of camera. But these students will already be used to it.鈥�

鈥淵ou have to have selective hearing, because you need to be able to speak to the camera and block out the pieces not for you but hear the pieces that are for you. Students at Bedfordshire are already using talk back in front of the camera, they鈥檙e very far ahead.鈥�

Derek worked with the students on continuing a take when presenting, teaching them that stumbles are okay and bringing in personality is key.

鈥淚鈥檓 also working with them on being their own personality. When you present a TV show, the wonderful thing is you don鈥檛 need to act. Most TV casters are looking for them [and their personality], they don鈥檛 want a version of them. It鈥檚 quite a nice thing when you get a job, they want you for you.鈥�

Beth Fletcher also attended the masterclass to teach students about hair and makeup in the television industry. She has worked on productions such as Broadchurch, Peaky Blinders, Casualty, and Rocketman.

Beth had the following advice for students preparing for TV castings or recording show reels: 鈥淟ook natural, neat and tidy, and make sure you look like yourself to let your personality shine through.鈥�

Emily Sear is studying Media Performance for Film TV and Theatre spoke of the benefits of TV professionals coming in to Bedfordshire to teach a masterclass: 鈥淵ou learn more about the industry, because you are hearing it from their personal experiences, they can tell you exactly how it is.

"It鈥檚 nice because at first, I didn鈥檛 really like the idea of TV presenting because I was too scared. But with these classes I鈥檝e become more interested in it and it鈥檚 now the path I鈥檓 looking to pursue.鈥�