December 23, 2009
Community Television Network, Access Ann Arbor, Channel 17 Presents:
Brenda Meisels, Author of Family at Booknookand, and Sally Seymour, business writer, as they chat about writing. (12/23, 10am & 2/pm) (12/26, 3& 5:30pm) (12/28, 11am) (1/6, 10am 5:30pm)(1/7, 11:30am) (1/9, 3pm)
TV Appearance and Recommendations for Novices:
My writer friend Sally Seymour and I taped an interview for Access Ann Arbor Channel 17. This was a first for me. I was nervous and insisted on arriving early; the crew was running late, and I subjected Sally to a long wait in the Green Room.
When we finally went to production, there was a lovely set, with a Family at Booknook poster as a backdrop. The lights were blinding, the crew out of sight in the darkened room. When Sally introduced me, I looked toward what I thought would be the audience and came face to face with this wrinkled older woman—me!
After recovering from seeing the wrinkled face intruder, we had a nice chat about writing and publishing. There was one complication; in the dark room Sally could not make out the hand signals that Dwayne, a crew member, was making denoting the time. Part way through the interview, while the camera was focused on me, I saw Sally’s eyes flitting back and forth. Thinking we were running out of time, I picked up the pace and tripped over a few words. Sally gathered her wits and asked the crew how much time we had and was signaled that we had sufficient time. However, I Could not see the signal and did not know this until the interview ended.
After the taping, Sally and I celebrated by taking our husbands out to dinner.
When Murray and I watched the first airing, I noticed every flaw but was pleasantly surprised about how well it had turned out.
Recommendation 1: If you’re over sixty, get a face lift or wear lots of makeup. And do not look in the monitor!
Recommendation 2: If you are concerned about time available, ask the crew.
Recommendation 3: Most importantly, have a good time.
