07 March,2011 06:14 AM IST | | Dhvani Solani
Disinterested. Bored. Sulky. James Franco seemed on a self-destructive mission at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. On the bright side, he gave us a crash-course on what not to do as emcee. Tips to keep in mind before you get ready to host your next big shindig
'Like, if I host the worst Oscar show in the history of the Oscars, like, what do I care, you know what I mean? I'll try my best, but I don't see any shame.' As it turned out, actor James Franco's words turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. He and co-host Anne Hathaway did in fact go on to host the worst show in Oscar history. And as much as we love the man (he was pursuing four degrees simultaneously, for goodness sake!), after his recent hosting debacle, we're no longer sure if he 'da man' any more.
How long could someone as cheerful as Anne Hathaway carry a show
when you have someone like James Franco who looked like he'd rather
be elsewhere, as your co-host? Does she she seem to be giving up, in
this picture, or is it just us? Pic/ AFP
We decided then to not take a leaf out of Franco's book and find out what it really takes to host an awards show that -- at some point anyway - boasted an audience of a billion plus viewers. Comp re D'yu D'Cunha came to our rescue with pointers on what we (and Franco) should keep in mind the next time we get in front of an audience.
Do a background check
Preparing for a live show isu00a0 important, no matter how many shows you might have done before. Find out who your audience is, get details on the event flow, and what is expected of you. This can't happen if you turn up an hour before the event -- there has to be a process.
Go with the flow
It's important to have a strong script, but it's also important to be open to being spontaneous. The best shows are ones where the hosts interact with the audience, instead of making it a stiff, rehearsed affair like the Oscars turned out this year. While some hosts prefer staying on stage, you can consider going into the audience. Timing should be rehearsed in advance. The ability to connect with the audience is vital: Look into their eyes, talk to them and laugh with them.
Hit the road running
Those first five minutes are very important -- you will either hook the audience or lose them altogether. Once you lose them, it's difficult to win them back, no matter how powerful the rest of your script is. Start with a bang, and keep the momentum going.
Watch and learn
Look at some of the better comp res around -- Shah Rukh Khan, Roshan Abbas, Derek O'Brien, Russell Peters -- and see what it is that makes them so good. At the same time, take pointers from those who are really bad on what you should not be doing.
Use humour
Anne Hathaway allegedly didn't want to use gags or humour since she didn't want to upset anyone and thought that she hadn't earned the rights to poke fun at her seniors. But it's the tone and the way in which you use humour that's important. People are not that stuck up, and when you are not able to go with the flow, it can become a staid, boring affair like this year's Oscars.
