Review of Could You Be A TV Expert?

"Passionate delivery and informative presentation" by Samantha Kent for remotegoat on 11/06/10

Arriving at Claire Richmond's "Could you be a TV expert?" was a little daunting. I arrived one minute late, slightly sweaty, into a room of what looked like six, very serious business professionals. These suited 9 to 5ers were sat around an oval shaped conference table, with paper 'packs' in front of them and facing what looked remarkably like a PowerPoint presentation. I wanted to run away. However, as soon as Claire began talking I felt completely at ease. This is a woman who has a talent for working with people. Her extensive experience in television, with credits including "Changing Rooms", "The Big Breakfast" and "Topless Darts" make her a fountain of industry knowledge.

Once I had relaxed I found that the '9 to 5ers' were actually just friendly interested people, most of which were not actually into the 9 to 5 routine but freelancers. Our group ranged from PR and Marketing agents representing clients to a psychotherapist and presenter attending on their own behalf. There was in fact a PowerPoint presentation, as I had deduced earlier. However, Claire did not rely on it and there were lots of pictures, to humour those of use who now shy away from the heavily bullet pointed PowerPoint presentations of our university days. The seminar was very informal and we were encouraged to question and discuss the topics presented. In addition, the presentation was clear and structured and was communicated with warmth and a sense of humour, which is so important in the television industry.

I would say that this is a seminar for those seriously considering becoming a TV expert in their specialised area, not simply for those interested in TV. It is an informative introduction into an increasingly popular section of television as well as marking for Findatvexpert.com. This is a new business which Claire herself has founded and promises to be the Spotlight of the TV expert world. Findatvexpert.com promotes TV experts to production companies through an online profile for which the expert pays a fairly reasonable yearly fee.

Claire Richmond is passionate, enthusiastic and motivated and seems to genuinely want to help TV experts out there to get seen and get work. Her seminar is a great introduction to this world with some handy tips to get yourself out there. Her business is one that I can see being hugely successful, as the only TV expert site of its kind. I feel that these seminars can definitely be developed further. For example, I felt that I wanted more interaction with the other members of the group, perhaps in an exercise discussing each other's audience and potential as a TV expert. In addition, I felt the session could have been slightly longer to pack in more detail and more activity. However, I must say the seminar was good value for money. I look forward to watching some of Claire's TV experts on screen and observing the development of her business.

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