Ask your panelists a question to get them to address the issue. You may have to ask another question to snap them back to the focus of the discussion. A good strategy is to provide a copy of the script/outline for each guest to have with them on hand. Make it very clear that the script/outline is a reference only, a form of prompting. It is not to be read or stared at during the broadcast. Encourage your guests to arrive early, especially if you sense they are apprehensive. This will give them time before the show goes live to work through some of the nerves.
3. Managing the Time
Be aware of time. It’s your responsibility to make sure you cover the material you and the
panelists have decided in advance is the most important. Allow equal time for participation and if you are running out of time, you need to make a quick decision on what to cover. Give plenty of time for Q&A and if you have more time left than material, you need to decide whether to close or ask more questions of
the panelists. You can end early if you have covered the material, but that is very rare.
4. Facilitating the Discussion
You need to make sure that there is interaction between the panelists. Content/planning meetings and conversations are the pre-cursor to the discussion on broadcast day. You’ve already had these discussions with each other and can re-visit them during the program. If you feel one of your panelists is being too quiet, ask the panelist a question to get him/her engaged. Remember that you are not a panelist, even if you are an expert in the field; you need to facilitate your panelists’ presentations, not give one yourself. By interacting with the panelists, looking at both of them, involving them in the discussion, you are role-modeling the behavior you want them to emulate.
5. Representing the Audience
Again, your role isn’t subject expert, you are there as the surrogate for the audience, asking the
questions that they would ask, making sure the information is usable to them (as defined by the objectives). Although the audience can usually interact with you by calling in with questions and sending in chat messages – but if you can anticipate and ask first, it saves them the trouble of finding a phone – and spares you from handling unpredictable phone calls.
6. Direct Address
The goal of the moderator is to establish rapport with the audience. You can do this by looking into the camera lens, which makes "eye contact" with your audience. They really are out there, even though you may not see them. So remember to smile when you can. This gives the feeling of direct address with the audience. Maintain steady eye contact with the camera and your panelists. Avoid darting your eyes and only glance at your notes, don’t study them. Stay engaged with the discussion by keeping your focus on the panel and include the audience when possible.
7. Body Language
Body language is very important. Maintain a comfortable posture so you don’t look rigid or stiff. You will be seated, so be sure not to hunch over, slouch, or rest on your elbows. Don’t swivel in your chair or lean back in it. When you’re nervous it’s easy to fidget. Don’t shuffle papers around or fiddle with any object like pencils, glasses, buttons, microphones, paper clips, etc. Avoid any distracting mannerisms like head bobbing, scratching, sniffling or coughing. This is can be all picked up and exaggerated on camera.
Your facial expressions reflect the mood you want to create in your audience. You won’t motivate them to be interested or enthused by looking deadpan. You may cover the range from smiling, serious, laughing, inquiring, to doubtful. Keep it lively and varied and appropriate to the situation.
Put your hands in a natural position. Don’t fold your arms across your chest. It looks defensive. Don’t be too conscious about hand gestures, but don’t wave your arms around - try to keep these broad movements to a minimum. Stay engaged with your panel, look directly at them and listen attentively while they speak. Keep a close comfortable distance with them. Big gaps between panel members along with leaning back may non-verbally say, “I don’t want to be
here.”
8. Vocal Technique
The pitch or tone of your voice should be natural and varied so you don’t
sound monotone. Your voice pitch changes when you’re nervous and the audience usually can tell. A high voice pitch may sound nervous and rushed and a low voice pitch may sound slow and bored. Try to maintain an even pitch and speak clearly so you don’t sound nasally, breathy, thin or harsh. Unless you’re speaking in front of a live audience, you should not have to raise the intensity of your voice. The audio technicians will adjust your sound to a comfortable listening level.
9. Cues
In some studio settings, moderators are fitted with an earpiece called an IFB (Interuptable Full Band) which they wear during the broadcast just like the newscasters. The producer communicates with the moderator and gives him/her cues via the IFB. These cues are simple time cues, content cues and various quick bursts of information to coach and keep the moderator on track and looking good ! Always assume the microphone or camera is “ON” unless the producer tells you that you’re off the air. Always follow your producer or director’s cues. Remember, they want you to look good. When you're not using an IFP you can establish your own cues with your panelists through phrases or specific actions.
10. Transitions
Transitions are passages that take us from one place to another and are used to thread sequences together. Transitional elements link themes and subject matter by moving from one to the other. You need to manage the transitions -- from one section of the discussion to the next, to and from Q&A, and to and from any videos or slides. You should practice these during the rehearsal so you can do it smoothly. They should flow logically and easily as an integral part of the program. After a video, your panelists should address the issues from the video or expand upon it. Determine in advance who will get the initial question after a transition. You should also practice how to use the slides during the discussion.
Sports terms like “hand off,” “pitch” or “toss,” are used to describe transitions between to and from each presenter and the moderator. The timing each of each transition should reflect a balance between the live action and the rehearsed content. Sometimes a presenter can miss a cue or you may run out of time for an allotted segment, and it’s the role of the moderator to be ready for a quick “save.”
11. Q&A
Usually in the last 10 minutes of the discussion is saved for Q&A. If you're in front of a live audience you can open it up for questions in the room and remind your remote viewers that questions can be called into the broadcast. Keep the discussion going and make sure there's no dead air space. Talk radio is a good example of how the host or moderator keeps the program in motion. There is never any long pauses or dead silence, unless there are technical difficulties. When you are ready for Q&A, you can say something like, “Questions can be called in now by dialing XXX-XXX-XXXX, but while we’re waiting for questions, let’s move on to…” Or you can move into a discussion of frequently asked questions, but you must keep things moving along. You will be cued if questions come in or not.
You will need to direct questions to the appropriate panel member(s). Sometimes it will be clear to you who will answer a question, and sometimes a caller may direct their question to a specific panel member. The most important thing is to get the question answered. You may need to cut in if a panel member or caller is going too long, but don’t cut them off. You can help by transitioning to the next call or the next topic of discussion. Keep answers simple and succinct, don’t speculate or guess, if the question can’t be answered it can followed up offline after the broadcast.
12. The Close
Let the audience know that the program is coming to an end by saying something like, “We’re almost of time...” This helps everyone know that you are wrapping things up. Give the panel an opportunity to review the key messages and closing comments. Thank the guests and viewing audience and draw their attention to upcoming events, future programs, and remind them to complete their evaluation forms. This feedback is very important and comments from the audience helps in the planning of future programs.
Lastly
Above all, have fun! Moderating can be a quite enjoyable experience for all concerned. If you are enjoying yourself, your panelists will too – and that will make the discussion more enjoyable for the audience as well.
Every year since 2003, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) has published the Streaming Media Industry Sourcebook, an annual publication for technology managers and executive decision makers who are implementing rich media within their organizations. The Sourcebook, first appeared in print in December 2003, blends a comprehensive directory of solution provider companies with highly practical articles on choosing, installing, and justifying a streaming initiative. It's also Streaming Media's annual double issue and is a yearly review and look ahead at the year to come.
1. The Intro/Setting the Tone
The Magic of Open Source Video! Enjoy your complimentary lunch while Supernatural Entertainer, Haim Goldenberg, blows your mind with his video magic. Sponsored by Kaltura, the world’s first open source online video platform.
