Read the film transcript for the Welcome the world performance film.
ESRA KILIC
Hi, I’m Esra and welcome to my community. I live in one of the London 2012 Host Boroughs, and this is where some of the Olympic and Paralympic events will take place. We want you to go out into your community and present on games and cultural events that are happening. This could be things like a school celebration, a play or even a sporting event, like London 2012 World Sport Day. I’m part of a Get Set network school, and I’m interested in presenting too; so I’m going ask the Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards what makes a good presenter. Hi Jonathan, I’m Esra.
JONATHAN EDWARDS
Hey, please to meet you, how are you doing?
ESRA KILIC
What are your top tips about presenting?
JONATHAN EDWARDS
I think the most important thing, and you’re good at this, is to be natural and to be yourself…and sometimes that can be difficult. When you’ve got some pieces to camera, maybe practise it for a few times and a little bit of a smile, maybe a few hand gestures, it feels much more natural. And the other thing as well, adjust your presentation style depending on where you are, that’s very important.
ESRA KILIC
How do you get prepared for interviews?
JONATHAN EDWARDS
First of all have some questions prepared in advance, research who you are interviewing. You want, as an interviewer, to bring the best out of an interviewee, you want their face to light up, to smile, to think about the questions you’ve asked them.
ESRA KILIC
What do you think has been the best thing about being a presenter?
JONATHAN EDWARDS
I think being a sports presenter, you get to be at all the big competitions. I’ve been at two Olympic Games as a presenter and all the major championships that have happened and you’re right there by the track, you have got the best seat in the house, you get the interview the stars like Usain Bolt, which is incredibly cool. And I think that is the best thing, as you’re right in the heart of the action.
ESRA KILIC
Thank you so much for coming today, and everybody, thank you to Jonathan for coming here. Preparing in advance and researching your subject is good for the presenter to explain things like where the location is, who they are going to be interviewing, and what their back story is. Enthusiasm! Be passionate about every subject, whether it be a mole hill or a mountain. Being clear and concise, making sure that your words are pronounced clearly, and delivered in a way that will keep the viewer entertained. Walking and talking isn’t as easy as it looks, remember to practise! There’s a special opportunity for students aged 16 and over from Get Set network schools and colleges. Create a showreel under two minutes that shows you presenting on a sports or cultural event and you will have a chance of being selected as a young presenter in the Park during Games time. Your school or college might be registered with Get Set but check whether it has become part of the Get Set network. If it hasn’t, get your school or college to apply. By making a showreel and showing you’re inspired by the London Games, your school or college is already eligible. So remember what we’ve seen here today, Get Set to get presenting!
