Shiplake College alumnus, Max Tilney visited the College before half term for a day of one-to-one sessions with a number of Year 12 pupils to provide on-camera media training. Max runs a video production and strategy agency, TaleFin, which is based in Henley. In addition to filming promotional and sports video content, he also trains people to appear in front of camera. The training included how to speak directly to a camera and communicate with impact, confidence and authenticity.
Nine Year 12 students took part in the workshop and all found it incredibly useful and interesting. One of next year’s Heads of College, E Thomas, took part and found it to be a fantastic opportunity. She said: “It was very enjoyable and extremely helpful. I really appreciated the individual training and feedback from Max. He was inspiring and taught such valuable skills, which I know will be very useful for my future.”
Each student had an hour of training, which included learning key points when delivering content to a camera, including their body language, being passionate about what they are talking about, being relaxed and remembering to smile in front of the camera. Max is passionate about the need for on camera skills and said: “These are the type of skill that pupils will find increasingly crucial, especially nowadays, and can be applied to video CVs, Skype interviews and then into the workplace where staff at all levels are now required to deliver content for internal and external communications.”
A Britten also took part in the workshop and said: ‘It was extremely interesting. It was filled with numerous important points for when filming anything to do with TV or even for a video CV, but especially for a trainee actor or presenter, which I’m looking to go into.
“One of the skills we learnt was to direct your attention directly to the camera and have high energy when talking, to make the audience more absorbed and engaged in what you are saying, even though it may be uncomfortable for the person being filmed.”
Although some of our Year 12 pupils are still unsure about what they want to do after Shiplake, B Brockway said: “The advice and tips that were given to me are going to help me no matter what career I go into; I am so glad I participated. The techniques I was taught in the session improved my ability to talk confidently and passionately to the camera which is a valuable skill for the future.”
It was brilliant to see so many pupils opt in and take up the opportunity. Thank you so much to Max for giving up his time to provide these pupils with such amazing training free of charge, including providing personalised feedback reports for each student outlining what they naturally did well and where they could work to improve.
If you, your business or anyone you may know are interested in this on-camera training contact Max on [email protected]. You can find more information at www.talefin.co.uk/on-camera-training.
Max offers a discount for Shiplake College parents, pupils, and staff.
