The following is a wonderful quick start for authors who have rarely or never been on television. It’s written by Dr. Karen Hayter, one of my favorite TV interviewers (used with permission).

Congratulations! You are about to embark on an adventure that will stretch your boundaries, enlarge your view of the world, frustrate you, scare you, exhaust you, make you look at yourself, and increase your influence. It is easy to get sucked into the allure of media, so you will need to keep your perspective. Remember, this is television and not REAL life. Also, radio and television hosts make this look easy, but that is what they get paid for.

Selected Media Lingo:

Audio: the sound

IFB: Interruptible fold-back. The thing that goes in your ear so you can hear the audio portion of the program (if they give you one)

Mic: the microphone. Usually it is hooked onto a lapel, dress collar, tie, etc.

Sound check or mic check or check the mics: When your microphone is attached, someone will ask you to say a few words so audio can check the mics and get a voice level. You can say 1,2,3,4, or your name, or whatever you want to say. Someone will help you with your mic, or give you instructions about the microphone. If they don’t, ask for help, nicely. The idea is to have as little of the cord of the mike visible as possible. Also, don’t put the mike on a scarf or cover up the mike heads and clothes or you will get “clothing noise.”

Stand by: Be very quiet and get ready. Usually said by the floor director.

Floor director: The person in charge on the floor

Talent: You and the Host. You may hear the following at some point: “Get the talent on the set,” or “we are ready for the talent,” or “we need the talent on the set.” “Talent” is always said with a little condescension.

Set: The entire place where you do the program, the background, furniture, etc.

Director: The person in charge while you are on the air.

Producer: The person in charge up to that point. The Producer usually stays in the control room and interacts with the Director. The Producer or an assistant is usually the person who books guests for the program.

Time cues: How much time is left until a break. In a 30-minute program, there will probably be 2-3 breaks-breaks usually will last about 1 ½ to 2 minutes. You can always ask how many breaks there will be. The host is responsible for taking these breaks and if she/he doesn’t, the director will cut him/her off anyway. So, if you are interrupted because of a break, don’t take it personally.

Floor director: The person who gives the “time cues” and directs you and host to cameras, and is generally in charge while the program is in process. When the floor director says, “quiet,” that is exactly what he/she means. And when the floor director says, “clear,” that means that the mics are off and you can talk freely. However, NEVER, NEVER assume that the mics are off and so, watch what you say.

Green room: This is a “holding pen” for guests. It can be any color, and is very seldom green. There may be food, drinks, etc. Try not to eat anything prior to the program-just drink water. Drinking anything carbonated has a tendency to make you burp, so be careful! Also, if you are nervous, try some deep breathing. Take a deep breath, hold it about 10 seconds, and let it out to a count of 10. Do that about 5-7 times.

Control Room: This is where the television program is controlled and where the various crew members, director, producer, character generator, audio, technical director, etc., will be during the program.

Tally light: The red light on top of the camera. When the “tally light” is on, that camera is rolling.

Okay, now you know some of the lingo so when you arrive at the studio you won’t feel like you have landed on another planet!