What I learned at the TV Workshop
I confess that I wasn’t too sure what I was getting myself into when I found myself in the front row of the Leadership Institute's monthly On-Camera TV training.


All I knew was that if I’d known I would be on camera, I would have worn more makeup. 

Trying not to panic over my impending doom, I learned more about a few of my fellow students.

As a busy mom, Christine Olson didn’t have time to spend a day in the Studio.  But then again, with an important TV interview looming, she knew couldn’t afford not come.  Despite having no hesitation speaking to large groups, her brain always froze in front of a camera.

Even though it was Spring Break, Tristan Justice stayed in town for one of the limited seats in the highly sought after on-camera TV Training.  As a college freshman, Tristan dedicates his time to conservatism activism and wants to be prepared as possible.

That morning, at 8:50 am, conservative lawyer Aaron checked his email and saw there was an opening in the previously full TV training.  “I had 20 minutes to rent a car.” 

He immediately drove 4 hours from New York City to the Sacher Multimedia Center in Arlington, VA  and walked in right on time.

You could feel the nervous energy in the air as guest faculty Beverly Hallberg smiled cheerfully behind the desk, almost as if the dreaded camera and microphone were her friends.

Beverly has been on all sides of the camera. Producer, director, and host are just a few of the shoes she’s filled.  Before starting her own business, Beverly was also the Director of the Sacher Multimedia Center. Now she returns to teach uneasy yet eager students how to distil their message for TV.

Under Beverly’s encouraging instruction and honest feedback, I found myself thawing and even excited about my next turn in front of the camera.

Everything she said mattered -- no filler information.

Together we learned to ‘block’ and ‘bridge’ our message.  As we fought through our camera fears, comradery and friendship replaced the jitters.  The whole class cheered the next one to go ‘live.’

By the end of the day, Christine was not only smiling at the camera but also at the top of the class.

Aaron didn’t dread the drive back to New York, “I knew it would be worth it -- and I wasn’t disappointed.”

My only regret was that it was over.  And that I hadn’t worn more makeup.

Good thing the Leadership Institute hosts On-Camera TV Training every month -- I’ll be in the front row again soon.

>