*********************************************************

ARCHIVE INTERVIEW 8
- Stephen Tate (Network Executive)

*********************************************************

Stephen is a man in charge of several huge productions. Australian Idol and Big Brother have dominated ratings, gossip, revenue and exposure for the local Australian market - and the formats overseas. Nick Piper spent some time with Stephen discussing his approach to recruiting and scouting new talent:




NICK: What must a TV Presenter possess?

STEPHEN TATE: I consider one of the most important skills is the ability to tell a story. A presenter - experienced or new - must understand the concept of compiling a beginning, middle and an end. Being able to develop a story arc in the shortest time possible is essential.


NICK: Where do you look for new talent?

STEPHEN: At TEN we are lucky as talent seems to find us - we receive a lot of showreels - although not as many as you would expect. When a new format emerges, we tend to look at overseas markets first to see what talent they have used and what has worked. We don't really know until we have seen it I guess.

NICK: Your advice to presenters?

STEPHEN: Be yourself. We always assume that presenters who we take on already know how to present. So it is case of matching talent to the appropriate vehicles.


An extended interview with Stephen can be found in the How To Be A TV Star product 'Your Big Break' DVD Series - available now!



Available as part of the How To Be A TV Star Home Study Program out now!

---------------------------------------

Copyright © 2007 by Nick Piper, Derrick Siu and Plop
Entertainment. All information, text, graphics, audio, design and software are copyrighted works of Plop Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.