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"Ann has done a phenomenal job working with our anchors and reporters.
She is the best voice coach in the country".
Elliott Wiser
Vice President/General Manager
Bay News 9
Vice President of News Programming
Bright House Networks
"Ann Utterback is so much more than a voice coach.
Working with her has not only made me better at my
job, but she's helped me balance my career and my life
outside of the newsroom."
Lauren Ashburn
Reporter/Anchor
USA Today Television, Washington, D.C.
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© Ann S. Utterback, Ph.D., taken from www.AVoiceDoc.com
There are two simple suggestions for better live shots that I repeat to hundreds of clients each year. The reason they keep getting repeated is because they are mistakes so many on-air reporters make.
The first should be in your mind before every live shot: DON'T SHOUT!!!! Because live shots are often done in noisy locations, it's not surprising that even veteran reporters can find themselves shouting at times. But it's always a mistake. One of my beliefs is that a reporter should never add to a crisis in the manner in which he or she reports it. If you're shouting, you can bet you're making the listener think you're stressed to be at the scene. If you sound stressed, they'll get really stressed, too. Your job is always to report what's happening as confidently and clearly as possible. Remember that the microphone is just a few inches from your mouth. Use the same volume in a live shot you would use talking on the telephone. If it's an unusually loud location like a political rally, simply position your microphone closer to your mouth, but DON'T SHOUT!!!!
The next piece of advice is one I started giving out over 35 years ago when I taught public speaking in college. I've continued to give this advice to my on-air clients for the last 20 years. That advice is, ONLY MOVE FOR MEANING. Remember teachers or ministers you've had who paced back and forth while speaking? It was really distracting, wasn't it? Well, movement in a live shot that does not have a purpose creates the same problem. Viewers begin to wonder why you're moving instead of listening to what you have to say. Always let your movement enhance what you're saying instead of distracting from it. You could, for example, take a few steps in a live shot to show a broken window as you tell the viewer about a robbery attempt or you could reach down and pick up a picket sign at a protest march. This type of movement works, but walking toward the camera for no reason other than to move, does not. And keep your hands still in a live shot unless you're gesturing for a purpose. I often see what I call "flying body parts" when a hand or a finger flies through the shot. Moving your hands and arms can help you relax, but it distracts the listener unless it’s adding to the meaning of what you’re saying.
So remember: DON'T SHOUT!!!! and ONLY MOVE FOR MEANING. These two simple tips will make your live shots more effective.
If you'd like to learn more about on-air delivery go to the Books page to read about BROADCAST VOICE HANDBOOK fourth edition.
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