a day in the life of a tv host

This week has been a big one. It was the first time I have been filmed to go on TV. Yes, TV. And what an amazing experience it was.

Six months ago my boss passed by my desk and asked if I would host a show for the upcoming Australian "Project Hope" series which will air in around 3-5 months time. The show is called "My Story: His Story" and it's a 13-part series which will be shown on Hope Channel - a family friendly television network that spans the globe (so if you have a satellite you'll be able to see it).

It's not overwhelming at all to know that Hope Channel is aired in over 13 countries (including Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Norway, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, and United States of America) while negotiations are under way for it to be free to air in the US (apparently it's quite popular over there).

So, what is it that I can enlighten you about being on 'tv'? Perhaps I should go through it all blow by blow...

1. Memory is pretty important - no tv prompts, no big sheets of paper. Oh, there is an A5 cheat card you can use. And yes, it's pretty useless but very nice to hold when you're nervous - which I was. Apart from the card, there is only looking lovingly into the lense like it's your best friend. Is it hard to do? You betcha.

So the night before filming I was made aware of my options and so it was a long night memorising my opening and closing lines for each break and trying hard not to panic. Probably not the best start for an amatuer tv host.

2. The set - thinking it would be much bigger than it was, I was surprised to see it was in a pretty small room. And the walls were not even square. A little trick in camera deception which I quite thought was pretty clever. But the sets were absolutely amazing. The colours were bright, snappy and very trendy. Really Professional stuff considering the walls are thin and the tables are made of board and, there's lots of foam on the walls. Fascinating to see how great it all looks on camera.

3. Cameras - thinking there would be a maximum of two cameras, I was surprised to see a total of four. One for me, one for the guest, a wide screen, and then a closer view of the interaction between the host and guest. That means there are a heap of people hanging around during the filming. Because there are the camera guys, people taking notes on what you're saying (and correcting you), the 'go-between' guy, and then the 2-3 guys watching you on screen in the editing room and seeing how it actually looks on tv. (And they come out a lot to snip stray hairs, pluck eyebrows, cut cotton threads, etc.) To say it's all a heap of 'perfection' is an understatement.

4. Make up room - make up in itself is a pretty interesting experience. It's quite lengthy, and considering I wasn't being prepped to be a monster with any 'special effects', it was still quite a rigmoral. My skin was sussed out by the producer of the shows to ensure it was 'good enough' which was a little disconcerting. But on the day there was blotting tissue, anti shine cream, heavy foundation, powder, then double the 'toppings' - just to look natural on the high definition screen. It was a teeny tiny taste of why actors get obsessed about how they look. And I was fully clothed. So, there must be more obsession for these actors who do nude scenes. (One tiny bit of junk food probably never even enters their bodies!)

5. The first take - okay, so you sit in your seat for a while to get used to the feel of four cameras, a tonne of lights and talking to your new best friend (ie. the camera). So, after a day and a half of filming, it is NOTHING like sitting in your lounge room despite how many times people tell you it will.

Then after debriefing and being calmed down by everyone (actually that part is great! Everyone is so relaxed and so affirming, it's awesome!), and praying (VERY glad about that bit) the first take starts. And yes, I make my first mistake in the first sentence. Well, actually I wasn't smiling enough.

So then I'm told that a vivacious person in 3D (ie. I think that was meant to be me in real life) is halved in 2D (me on tv). So, to up the ante I have to be doubly bubbly in order to seem just the usual me in real life.

So now I must: (a) remember my lines, (b) look right into the lense of the camera, and (c) smile. And then I must keep smiling all the way through the paragraph. Keep smiling. Keep smiling. And trust me, it's harder than it looks.

6. The first few shows - okay, I get used to the constume changes, the constant smiling, but then during the course of the filming also discover (a) I must not cock my head to one side and keep my head straight at all times, (b) not giggle during a funny line (whcih is in fact hard to do when you've been told not to), (c) keep the person feeling like I am interested in what their saying so they feel okay, (d) keep smiling throughout the interview (e) AND then not let my eyes show that I am thinking of the next line (now THAT's hard). Also, be on the ready with a good question in case the nervous guest (because I'm not nervous AT ALL) runs out of things to say. After all, I am the host (Oprah? Dr Phil?).

7. The last few shows - My cheeks ache by the third show and I have a big headache throughout the sixth. I am stuttering through my lines and it is now taking double the takes to get it right.

8. End of the first day - Obviously I am exhausted. But am now running completely and utterly on adrenalin. And continue to do so all throughout dinner with my new tv friends and until 1am when I FINALLY unwind and go to sleep.

8. The next day - Waking up at 6:30am the next morning, I realise that my headache is still very much there, but am amazed how 'normal' the make up routine is now. Back on the set ready to go at 8am, my lines are much better second day in. And do I feel like an expert just yet? I think so!

The interviews seem to go much quicker and the producers are happy with how its gone. I've now been compared to David & Kim, Cochi and Mel and there is even a comment about me being the next Kerri-Ann (oh dear).

But Trust me. I am not racing to any commercial Channel to tell them they have to hire me. It's been a great experience, and with another day of shooting in a month's time I have more to look forward to.

To see more, visit: www.hopetv.org

trip to adelaide

Having just returned from Adelaide got me thinking about how much fun it was.

After all I have family and friends all there (many with similar aged kids) and we all have so much fun when we get together.

It makes me wonder all those years ago why I might not have wanted to live in Adelaide again.

But I think I have actually changed my mind.

Where else can you go to a shop that sells only yoghurt; buy Spritz; shop at The Parade; and go anywhere in the city in only 20 minutes?

It's a great place. And it's been so long since I have lived there that it's now a real holiday destination. A time to rest, relax, sleep and shop (and I live in the fashion capital!).

Even Ikea isn't busy in Adelaide.

That's got to be worth something!

Above: Lovely Little Miss Kaitlyn; Madison breaks out of goal; Enjoying Pancake Sunday at step-sister Karen's place, Kate & Madison enjoying Wacky Warehouse, Enjoying uninterupted bliss thanks to Wacky Warehouse Kellie & Me