Talking

When it comes to throws and when you need to address the audiencehowever, you’ll need to use the right camera. If the producercalls the wide shot, then use that and focus on the top of the cameraas you look at it. If the single shot on you is called, then focus onthe middle of the lens. You’ll also need to agree up front with theproducer when to switch. Usually, I have the producer tell me asingle word, such as “middle” or “jib” and I will automatically adjustto that camera in terms of view. You can’t do anything about a lateswitch by the production team, but don’t drop them in it by mentioningit either!FLOWOne of the most critical functions you perform as a desk host is theflow of the show. Think of yourself as the gel in the show, it’s youjob to knit all the different segments together and make it feelsmooth. You aren’t there to look good or be the brains on the show,you are there as a facilitator for others. Your role is to bring the bestout of those on the show, be it experts, personalities, players oranyone else that happens to be on the desk.The flow is critical to the success of the show and most of that willcome from you. If a segment runs too long, the producer will normallyask you to move on anyway, but getting a good feeling forsegment length is a huge advantage to a top host.Flow isn’t just about the length of each segment but also the lengthof discussions too. If there is a panellist dominating, you’ll need topolitely divert questions to others without alienating that personentirely. Likewise, if a panellist isn’t speaking much, you’ll need tofind that killer moment to bring them back in to the conversation.59