MEMBERS of the local media fraternity were yesterday given the opportunity to understand “the tricks of the trade” as it relates to outstanding radio and television presentations that leave audiences in awe of the presenter. The Media Image Workshop, which was conducted by world-renowned radio and television broadcaster, Shelia Chaman of India, was organised through a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Communications Network (NCN), with the help of Guyanese-born classical dancer, choreographer and dance instructor, Malini Shah.
The short but informative workshop saw participation from journalists, radio jockeys, and television presenters and news anchors from NCN, the Government Information Agency (GINA), and other media practioners.
Also in attendance were NCN Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Sattaur, and NCN Programme Manager, Martin Goolsarran, and members of the visiting delegation.
The workshop, which usually lasts two weeks, was conducted within a few hours at the Regency Suites hotel on lower Hadfield Street. It focused primarily on improving television and radio presentations.
Chaman, who is also a former ‘Miss India’, said that oftentimes, people see and hear, but do not look and listen. “You are what you are by the way you speak it, and how you speak it,” she said.
The interactions between Chaman and the participants were based on image enhancement, voice modulation, confidence and diction. She made the point that in radio and television presentations, proper enunciation, pronunciation, diction, articulation, elocution, and voice modulation are extremely important in order to capture the attention of one’s audience.
She explained that while the above topics are different, they work together to produce a well-delivered presentation that will captivate and inform an audience.
Special emphasis was placed on voice modulation, as most presenters complained of often having difficulty breathing, which tends to impinge on their ability to effectively articulate, thereby affecting the delivery of the overall presentation.
Chaman demonstrated a few exercises to deal with such issues as breathing, the inability to concentrate, and the lack of confidence.
Participants were given the opportunity to talk about their challenges and ask questions relating to the pros and cons of the media environment.
Chaman has more than 25 years of media experience, hosts international events, speaks nine languages and reads the News in the Studios of Doordarshan, India.