It's as close to a real life live TV interview situation as most people will get using professionals from the industry (such as Eve Threlkeld) and genuine studio equipment and procedures.
All with the purpose of putting children and young people through a situation that is both challenging and enlightening and that is proven to develop confidence, belief and self-esteem.
And there's always the possibility of meeting someone from 'off the telly' at the same time.
Overview
The concept of Confidence Studio is to recreate a live TV studio scenario (no pressure!) with fully professional lighting, full size TV cameras and sound. The Event is led by TV and production professionals to guide the participants through their experience. It is extremely important that when the participants walk into the room/studio they feel like something special is going on. That’s why it is so important to get the look right.
The essence of Confidence Studio is to engage participants in all aspects of filming a “live” TV interview situation to a strict time schedule, coming in and going out on cue (you can’t overrun into the all important adverts).
The aim is to help the participants to attain mutual respect, true self-confidence, to interview people they would not normally get a chance to question directly and an ability to work in a team environment where everyone depends equally on each other for a successful outcome. No one person’s job is more important than the next, if the “show” is to be a success.
Each participant gets the opportunity to experience each task, making them realise the importance of team work. Not everyone can be a star, but everyone can be part of the magic process and therefore can become a starmaker.
The outcomes from these workshops reach out much further than a possible career in television. The skills gained can be taken into the 'job interview' environment, dismissing the myths that 'some people are better that you' or breaking down barriers between people and even communities.
But most of all, the key word to the process is FUN!
Tasks
The participants will take on the following roles:-
Floor Manager: This will include briefing the audience, cueing applause and most importantly cueing the interviewer with timing signals.
Camera Operator: Getting focus and looking for that “perfect” shot.
Boom Operator/Sound Engineer: Wearing headphones and holding boom and mic. Keeping mic out of shot and gaining optimum sound.
Interviewers: In groups of up to four. Asking questions, keeping strictly to the allotted time and taking direction from the floor manager.
Makeup/lighting: To make sure the participants are seated correctly to ensure the best lighting and that they don’t have shiny noses!
Schedule:
Welcome by presentation team with brief overview/videos of their histories.
Explanation of the day’s activities…Q&A.
Demonstration of how to - and how not to - conduct a TV interview by two professionals… Q&A.
Splitting into working groups, researching next guest, discussing questions, interviewing each other to build on what they have just learned from demonstration and sorting themselves out into groups for going 'live'.
First interviewing sessions:
Groups take turns to rotate as interviewers, studio crew and audience.
Interviews are to be with someone they have recently talked to, one of the presenters, a teacher or a boss.
Re-cap with presenters. Q&A session. Show a few out-take clips for a bit of a laugh.
Workshops to prepare for second interview session.
Second interview sessions:
Groups to interview someone they have not met or do not meet on a day to day basis.
A celebrity, local footballer/hero, head teacher, managing director or religious head.
Format as per interview session one.
Chill and mill:
Participants get the chance to chill and chat with each other and the guests while the final winners are being picked by the judges.
The judges will be the presentation team and perhaps the invited guest/guests.
Awards:
The two overall winners will be presented with gifts (could be anything from signed photos to a visit to a TV or radio station).Each participant will be given a certificate of attendance.
The judging will not just be on presentation skills alone, but based on all aspects of the session/sessions.
Conclusion:
The overall aim of this exercise is to instil true self-confidence and esteem, mutual respect and an understanding of each others' strengths and weaknesses through non-confrontational methods.
It's about learning through experience and having FUN.