Lock In

A video of KTLA reporter Rachel Menitoff went viral this week after a very large bug landed on her—and proceeded to crawl across her—during a live shot.

While DMG doesn’t specifically train people for surprise insect encounters (and we’d prefer to keep it that way!), we do prepare clients for the bright lights, high pressure, and unexpected moments that come with live TV.

Here are our top tips for locking in when it matters most:

#1 — Memorize Your Mode
Your facial expressions, body language, and vocal delivery should be a sure thing, not something you’re guessing about in the moment. When those fundamentals become muscle memory, your brain has more bandwidth to handle whatever unexpected situation comes your way. But the only way to develop that level of confidence is through practice and training.

(Ahem…hire DMG. We can help you find your mode.)

#2 — Ask Questions Later
A lot can happen during a speech or live interview. Birds, bugs (see also: Mike Pence’s debate fly), loud noises, technical glitches, or distracting movement in the studio can all throw you off.

Your instinct may be to react immediately, but resist it. Push through the moment and ask questions afterward. By reacting, you may end up drawing attention to something viewers would have otherwise missed.

#3 — It’s Not as Bad as You Think
Finally, mentally prepare yourself for the reality that mistakes and distractions are rarely as noticeable to the audience as they are to you. (After all, it’s not every day that a cockroach crawls across your chest during a live shot.)

Whether it’s an unexpected distraction, stumbling over a word, or briefly losing your train of thought, what feels like a major mistake to you often barely registers with your audience. We are our own worst critics, so resist the urge to panic. Instead, power through the moment and remind yourself: It’s probably not as bad as you think.