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Todd Ethridge · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:29 am Post subject: Honored AND Nervous

Last week, I was contacted by the professor of the class "Electronic Media Performance" at the University of Tennessee and they want me to come in and speak to the class next week.

I asked what she would like me to talk about and she said "your career, accomplishments and unusual stories about your work".

It's funny, I was in radio for 17 years and ALWAYS hated live remotes, just because I had to stand right in front of people and speak. So now I have to get up in front of a bunch of students and speak. uuugh....I'm excited over the offer and nervous about the actual day.

yikes...
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Bruce · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:34 am Post subject:

I used to be the same way, believe it or not. Your timing is a little tight, but if you think you might do more public speaking in the future I can highly recommend joining a Toastmasters club....great training for handling nerves and presentation in front of a live audience.

No matter what, have fun. You'll be fun celebrity in their eyes.

B
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Todd Ethridge · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:40 am Post subject:

Thanks!

I'm not too worried about the Q&A at the end of my "speech".

I think bantering back and forth with the students might be kinda fun. When I mentioned to a friend that I was going to do this, they laughed and reminded me that I don't have a day of college and should tell them how I learned my craft: 3 years of radio and television production in high school. Laugh

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Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:

Since you're a voiceoverist, why not set up a microphone behind a curtain and just start speaking from where they can hear you but not see you. And you can explain that that's pretty much how your job goes. Then you can emerge from behind the curtain after you've already given yourself a head start.
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Donna · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 3:30 pm Post subject:

Todd, I have a feeling you'll do just fine.

And Lee is a freakin' genius.
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todd ellis · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject:

yeah - just have fun with it - easiest thing in the world - talking about what you love.

i do this every year with a high school career day. i do a 10 question audio quiz - a "guess the voice" kind of thing with some people they will know - and some they will probably not know ... usually goes over pretty well.
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Todd Ethridge · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:28 pm Post subject:

I love that idea, Lee! Ha!

I'm sure it will be fine, but it's just one of those things I'm not used to.

She did say she wants me to talk about my work on the "Jumbotron" at Tennessee's Neyland Stadium. She thought students would recognize my voice from that. I've been voicing promos and features for it for the last 3 seasons.
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Karen Souer · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:31 pm Post subject:

Remember you're speaking about something you enjoy, and let that help carry you. My dear ol' dad is very shy, and manages to teach remarkably well, because he speaks about things he cares about and believes in. I try to do the same whenever I have to talk in front of people. Embarrassed

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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:39 pm Post subject:

Did I miss it? I wanted to show up as the "old" new kid in class.
I'm sure you did a great job!
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Todd Ethridge · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:37 am Post subject:

Ha!

It's this Thursday. You could be my corner trainer and shout instruction at me!
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:16 am Post subject:

You got it! Good luck!!
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Deirdre · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:29 am Post subject:

All the best, Mate! You're "in your wheelhouse" so let your confidence reign.
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Todd Ethridge · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:27 am Post subject:

The "speech" went really well. There were 28 students and I only noticed 2 that looked like they didn't care.

I spoke for about 20 minutes, then took questions for 30 minutes. They never ran out of questions and after class, there were 5 students in line to talk to me. Very flattering and fun. Laugh

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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

YES. I'm glad you had a good time. It sounds like they did too!
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