Merrie England and the famous TV Presenter
Free lessons in talking to camera. From one who knows..
Hello, friends,
I had a most surprising and exciting thing happen to me last week. I had a one-to-one Zoom meeting with the famous TV presenter, actor and public speaker, Dallas Campbell.
What a fine chap he is, too. And so very helpful!
I’ll tell you all about it when you’ve read the latest from the 14th century. As always, the first three strips amount to ‘the story so far’ and the fourth is the latest.
A couple of weeks ago I was idly scrolling through X, something I do from time to time if I’m feeling too content and want to see the worst of what’s happening out there.
Yes, in truth, there are plenty of nice people on X but really, if you want the digital, or virtual version of putting yourself in harm’s way, X/Twitter is the place to really see good and evil in one stewing mash of humanity!
I had just been rolling through the usual mishmash of needy teenagers, political nutcases, sexual deviants and saintly charity fundraisers when I happened upon a post from Dallas Campbell, he of ‘Bang Goes The Theory’ fame.
You know him, of course. Everybody does, I’m sure. But if he’s slipped your mind, this is he.
I had decided to ‘follow’ him (Yea, verily! Let us all follow Dallas!) some months ago, as I like his science programmes and wanted to know when the next batch might be about to be released.
His post on X was unique, in my experience and instantly gripped my attention. That’s professionalism for you!
He spoke directly to camera, telling me that if I wanted advice on how to present like a professional, he would be giving up an hour of his own free time for a Zoom call if I was interested. At no charge, too.
Well, as you know, I make videos and post them on YouTube. My films are about cartoons and how to draw them. I love making these films but there’s just one snag: they don’t get served up enough times on people’s screens by the YouTube ‘algorithm’. That means that they are hardly ever offered for people to click on. To be seen in significant numbers, one’s film must be broadcast to millions by the mysterious and all-powerful ‘algorithm’. And mine were being offered up to no more than a handful each day.
I had already come to the realisation that my films need to improve, so what could be better than a personal interview with a chap who’s been making films for over 30 years?
I immediately responded, filled with hope but not thinking that much would happen, to be honest. I mean to say, professional folk don’t go about the place giving up hours of their lives to complete strangers without asking anything in return, do they? In the back of my mind, the words ‘deep fake’ and ‘artifical intelligence’ were lurking in the shadows.
Imagine my shock, therefore, when not very long afterwards, I spotted a personal message on X from the man himself, saying that he could do this date or that date and would I send him my contact details so that he could whizz me a link for the meeting. I was quite astonished, I freely confess.
Well, I wasted no time in sending him what he had asked for, along with a link to my YouTube channel.
Shortly before the appointed day, he sent me a message asking if we could put everything back a day, as he was returning home from a trip and thought he might be pressed for time or even, possibly, late. Naturally, I agreed and so it was that we finally met for an hour’s discussion
He had already looked at some of my films and had much to say. Thankfully, he thought that my on-screen persona and delivery were just fine but that there were certain things that I could do to improve the quality of the films themselves. This was gratifying news, as I had been wondering, as one does, whether I was better suited to radio than TV.
If you catch my drift..
But no, it seems that I’m fine for the screen but I need to ‘raise my game’ over the setting, the editing and perhaps crucially, making use of Instagram.
I need also to pay attention to lighting, using something called ‘Rembrandt’ technique. I shall do my best, of course.
I don’t relate this tale to pass on his advice, though. It’s more to let you know that there are some very fine people out there who are more than happy to help others, even to the point of making a film to attract those in need. If he hadn’t stretched out the hand of fellowship in the way thay he did, I would still be languishing in brutish ignorance but now….?
Maybe I should make such a film myself? What do you think? What wisdom and experience could I effectively pass on?
Oh, of course! Cartoon drawing. Naturally.
This time around, I’m not leaving you a link to my films, as they are far too poorly produced to share with you, now that I know how they should be made. I must very soon make a new set and get them up on YouTube and indeed, Instagram.
With my Rembrandt face on, of course!
I have been updating my personal web site, by the way. It’s still pretty empty and rudimentary but I’d rather have it than not. It will develop and improve over the next little while. It’s really centred on Merrie England rather than anything else. Feel free to take a look.
See you next time!