Saturday, January 31, 2009

Kate Garraway to present..............

London, UK

..........."The Biggest Loser". Not a show about someone's pension fund but a new TV series about losing weight. Lovely Kate has been chosen to present the new show according to Digital Spy. Read the report here.



Photos from the Daily Mail

Jonathan Ross To Face Pay Cut?

London, UK

Looks as though the credit crunch has caught up at the BBC. BBC presenters like Jonathan Ross may have to settle for a reduced annual wage. Wossy, as he's affectionately known on Twitter, is reported to be earning around £6M. This story is going around the internet like wildfire and a number of bloggers have expressed their opinions.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Do You Twitter?

London, UK

According to this report, Twitter is the place to network in 2009. Do you agree?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Paris Hilton in London

London, UK

Celebrity star Paris Hilton was seen in London today and the Leicester Square Television "fan-cam" caught up with her Covent Garden earlier today.

This notice was added to the You Tube piece.

Flash Alert1 Flash Alert!
A tip-off from a buddy had me racing to the Covent Garden Hotel to get some footage of the internet's favourite blond heiress. Paris Hilton was surrounded by dozens of paps, crews, snappers, curious tourists and me for the few seconds it took to get from the hotel door into here personalised pink taxicab to head off somewhere nice. It was a crush with no barrier or carpet. See for yourself, watch the film. Then it was a quick trip home to edit and publish. Hope you enjoy!


Russell Brand Joins Twitter

London, UK

Russell Brand has joined Twitter. Will you be one of his followers?



Why Russell has chosen "Rustyrockets" as a screen name is beyond me. Must have something to do with his childhood in Grays, Essex.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Top Television Boxing Commentator Dies

London, UK

Just a few days ago, we lost David Vine and now Reg Gutteridge has gone at the age of 84. Here's the Daily Telegraph report.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Ulrika Jonsson Wins Big Brother

London, UK

So the lovely Ulrika Jonsson wins Celebrity Big Brother. Does anyone actually care?

The lovely Ulrika has, of course, been featured on the blog in the past.

The Australian Disease

London, UK

What's your solution to the problem which has been thrust upon us from Australia? Would you agree that Correct Usage of English lessons for our friends who visit us from downunder?

Tom Cruise at the Premiere of Valkyrie

London, UK

Tom Cruise was in town earlier this week for the Premiere of Valkyrie. As ever, the Leicester Square Television "fan-cam" was there to capture the man himself.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

TV Presenting Under Pressure

London, UK

What do you think about this BBC3 story on news presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan?

One must stay calm and breathe correctly, even when things go wrong!

Jonathan Ross back on BBC tomorrow night

London, UK

But according to this report his show, which was recorded today, the presenter seemed to make light of his three month ban.

I guess we'll all have to make up our minds when the show is broadcast tomorrow night on BBC1.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Golden Rules for TV Journalists

London, UK

You may agree that any presenting performance, whether it be on television or not, can use the points outlined in this article. It appeared in the "Independent" and was written by Laura Trevelyan, the BBC correspondent.

FindArticles - HE TAUGHT ME THE GOLDEN RULE OF TV JOURNALISM: 'SIMPLIFY - THEN
Independent, The (London), May 28, 2007, by LAURA TREVELYAN

Monday, January 19, 2009

Barack Obama's Inauguration Coverage

London, UK

There'll be plenty of coverage of Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration. As you would expect, the BBC are providing these viewing opportunities

Alan Caruba is a top US political commentator. Here's his take on tomorrow's proceedings.

UPDATE

Just seen this blog post

Sunday, January 18, 2009

BBC Television Bloopers

London, UK

Continuing the theme of television presenter cock-up's and so on, here's some clips from "BBC VT". This video series was made by technicians at the BBC. Suggestive and raunchy in parts, I suggest you take a look quickly before they are removed by You Tube.

Some classic BBC unedited out takes from the late 70's, with many that have not been shown on TV at all. They are part of an internal video, that was done in late 1979 for the staff at Christmas. The video technicians have also played about with some adverts and news items of the time, plus various stars/artists have joined in with some comedy sketches. Enjoy some magic moments! There is a fair bit of bad language in parts.
Including clips from/with Dr Who, Mary Whitehouse, Swap Shop, The Goodies, Patrick Moore, Dr Who, Are You Being Served,Terry and June.

Do not watch if swearing and brief nudity offend.

Friday, January 16, 2009

George W. Bush On Public Speaking

London, UK


Next week Barack Obama replaces George Dubya at The White House. We're gonna miss you George!

BBC TV Weather Presenter Loses His Cool

London, UK

BBC weatherman Tomasz Schafernaker loses his cool. IMHO, a presenter must be cool, calm and collected.



Look we're all human and mistakes occur from time to time. The best remedy for ensuring you are ready to give a presentation, speech, piece to camera or radio news report is to be prepared.

Remember the Scout's motto. "Be Prepared"

Thursday, January 15, 2009

BAFTA Awards

London, UK

Here's the press release about the BAFTA awards:

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED



Slumdog Millionaire and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button have each received 11 nominations for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2009.

The Dark Knight has 9 nominations and Changeling has 8 nominations.

Frost/Nixon has 6 nominations, The Reader has 5 and In Bruges, Milk and Revolutionary Road all have 4 nominations each.

Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated in the categories Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Music, Production Design, Sound and Outstanding British Film. Danny Boyle is nominated for Director, Dev Patel is nominated for Leading Actor and Freida Pinto receives a nomination as Supporting Actress.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has been nominated for Best Film, Director for David Fincher, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Make Up & Hair, Music, Production Design and Special Visual Effects. Brad Pitt is a double nominee: he features in Leading Actor for his role as Benjamin Button and Supporting Actor for Burn After Reading. Tilda Swinton is nominated in the Supporting Actress category for Burn After Reading, and the film also receives an Original Screenplay nomination.

The late Heath Ledger is nominated for Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight. The film’s other nominations are: Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, Editing, Make Up & Hair, Music, Sound and Special Visual Effects.

Angelina Jolie has been nominated for her Leading Actress performance in Changeling. The film has also been nominated for Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Production Design and Sound, with Clint Eastwood receiving a Director nomination.

Ron Howard is nominated for Director for Frost/Nixon. The film is nominated for Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Make Up & Hair and the film’s Nixon, Frank Langella, receives a nomination for Leading Actor.

The Reader has been nominated for Best Film, Director for Stephen Daldry, Adapted Screenplay and Cinematography. Its star, Kate Winslet, is nominated for Leading Actress. Kate is nominated a second time for Leading Actress for her performance in Revolutionary Road, which is also nominated for Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design and Production Design.

Sean Penn’s performance as Harvey Milk has received a Leading Actor nomination. Milk has also been nominated for Best Film, Original Screenplay and Make Up & Hair.

In Bruges has been nominated for Original Screenplay, Editing, Supporting Actor for Brendan Gleeson and Outstanding British Film.

Also nominated for Outstanding British Film alongside Slumdog Millionaire and In Bruges are Man on Wire and Hunger and Mamma Mia!, which has also been nominated for Music. Judy Craymer, the producer of Mamma Mia!, Simon Chinn the producer of Man on Wire, Steve McQueen, director/writer of Hunger, Solon Papadopoulos and Roy Boulter who produced Of Time and the City and Garth Jennings, writer of Son of Rambow have all been nominated for The Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer for their First Feature Film.

Doubt received three performance nominations: Leading Actress for Meryl Streep, Supporting Actor for Philip Seymour Hoffman and Supporting Actress for Amy Adams. Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei were nominated for Leading Actor and Supporting Actress for The Wrestler. Robert Downey Jr. is nominated for Supporting Actor for Tropic Thunder and Penélope Cruz is nominated for Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Wall•E has been nominated for Music, Sound and Animated Film. The other Animated Film nominees, Persepolis and Waltz with Bashir are both nominated for Film Not in the English Language alongside The Baader Meinhof Complex, Gomorrah and I’ve Loved You So Long.

I’ve Loved You So Long also receives nominations for Original Screenplay and for Kristin Scott Thomas for Leading Actress.

The Duchess received nominations for Costume Design and Make Up & Hair.

Nominated for Special Visual Effects alongside The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Dark Knight are: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man and Quantum of Solace, which also received a Sound nomination.

The nominees for the Orange Rising Star Award, announced earlier this month, are Michael Cera, Noel Clarke, Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Hall and Toby Kebbell. This audience award is voted for by the British public and presented to an actor or actress who has demonstrated exceptional talent and promise.

The Orange British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday 8 February at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Motivational Speaker

London, UK

This guy would motivate any audience wouldn't he:

Geoff Burch and Public Speaking

London, UK

Most delegates who attended my Communicate With Clarity cold-calling seminars were delighted to have heard Geoff Burch speak. He was entertaining, amusing but above all inspirational. I'm hoping to get Geoff along to speak at another event later in 2009 but you'll be interested to know that I'll be holding more Communicate With Clarity events very shortly.

(Geoff Burch is represented by Specialist Speakers )

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tom Cruise to appear with Jonathan Ross

London, UK

You maybe aware that tv presenter Jonathan Ross is back on air, Friday week, January 23rd. Joining him on his BBC chat show are comedian Lee Evans, Stephen Fry and Hollywood star, Tom Cruise.
Question is, will Wossy (as he calls himself on Twitter) be as popular as he was before his three-month ban?

Monday, January 12, 2009

Top Sports Presenter Dies

London, UK

Top Sports Presenter, Davis Vine has died from a heart attack. David was one of those sports presenters one grew up with on the television. As you can imagine the tributes have been pouring in. Read here and here

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Weekend Media Blog Grab

London, UK

Ellee Seymour on the changing face of Britain's High Streets

Just Like My Dreams on the Carlos Tevez affair

Top caricaturist Simon Ellinas on Jonathan Ross, who apparently is stalking him on Twitter.

Melanie Phillips on human shields in Gaza.

Speaking coach Lisa Braithwaite on your voice. Lisa was guest blogger at Jeremy Jacobs.Com early last year. She wrote about public-speaking fear.

And finally, the Guardian outlines which films could be winners at the Golden Globe awards. One of them is Frost/Nixon which had its UK Premiere at the London Film Festival. My co-presenter at Leicester Square Television, Catherine Whale covered the event.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Promoting the Presenter Centre

London, UK

Last year, I posted this link about the Presenter Centre which is run by Colin Cobb of Presenter Promotions. The Presenter Centre is an ideal way for getting up-and-coming presenters known on the Internet.
Amongst the talent on show at the Presenter Centre is my co-presenter at Leicester Square Television, Claire Bueno. Both of us have benefited by being members of the Presenter Centre and Presenter Promotions

Thought For The Day

London, UK

"love like you've never been hurt before.
dance as if no one's watching
sing as if no ones listening
work as if money wasn't involved
live each day as if its doomsday".

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Is 2009 your Year as a Public Speaker?

London, UK

You may think this from "Six Minutes" is a little cheesey but it does make the point.


21 Questions: Is This The Year You Communicate Effectively?

happy-new-year

Is this the year you become a more effective speaker?

Is this the year you conquer your fear?

Is this the year you customize every presentation for the audience who will receive it?

Is this the year you worry less about ums and ahs, and worry more about connecting with the audience?

Is this the year you realize its not the quantity of information conveyed, but the quality of how you convey it?

Is this the year you eliminate the phrase “I don’t need to rehearse”?

Is this the year you stop driving people to tap on their Blackberry and iPhone during your speech?

Is this the year you stop letting poor communication skills stand between you and the career that you want?

Is this the year you solicit honest feedback after every presentation?

Is this the year you act on the feedback received?

Is this the year you not only read and talk about Presentation Zen and Slide:ology, but actually put the lessons into practice?

Is this the year you stop putting people to sleep?

Is this the year you study storytelling techniques?

Is this the year you stop allowing your colleagues to commit communication suicide and give them honest feedback?

Is this the year you realize that a lengthy Q&A session is not “stealing time” away from your presentation?

Is this the year you stop using PowerPoint as a crutch?

Is this the year you realize that eye contact and gestures mean nothing if you don’t have a clear message?

Is this the year you find your voice?

Is this the year you use it to communicate whatever message resonates in your heart?

Is this the year you lose your ego and have a conversation?

Is this the year?

This is the conversation I’m having in front of a mirror on January 1st.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

How To Make An Impact On The Internet

London, UK

You may have seen this post from two years ago. It outlined 3 Ways to boost your internet rankings. My inspiration came from the Internet Psychologist, Graham Jones. One of the tips I highlighted was to get testimonials. Just today, Nick R Thomas, the well-known speechwriter and public-speaker, posted two articles about my recent cold-calling seminars. His first testimonial highlighted the seminar, called Communicate With Clarity with his second article describing the talk given by my guest speaker, Geoff Burch.

Soon I'll be holding more workshops and seminars on cold calling. With the economic slow-down now in full swing, making appointments with new customers and keeping them, will be increasingly important for all businesses in most sectors. I'll be posting details about the forthcoming workshops and seminars within the next few weeks.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Benecio del Toro as Che (R)

London, UK

A re-post from a few weeks ago. Che opens in London tomorrow and I was very pleased with Benecio's sound-bite (0.20 secs)about the LSQ TV camera!