Working on ITV Jackpot247

First of all excuse the expression on my face ha ha - difficult capturing a screen shot whilst live on TV and you never know what kind of faces you will be pulling ha. I'm also sure those who are watching probably see me do things and say things that I have no idea why I'm saying ha, so I apologise for that.

HOW IT STARTED

After working on another casino show on and off for 4 years, I was always looking to start moving things forward and to look for new opportunities, and to be brutally honest to get out of the previous place. (I'm not going to talk about the other place in this post but will do another one specifically about that very soon.) The opportunity came up a while ago when a friend of mine started working for the company Netplay on Supercasino which is on channel 5. He has the same agency as me and so our booker sent my showreel over to them. Fortunately for me, they kept hold of my details until they started recruiting again and I was very lucky to be able to initially be given a screen test.

THE SCREEN TEST

I was sent a script across to learn or to at least follow. Now in the past I have actually struggled to learn scripts and sometimes it takes me a long while to get everything down. But because of my experience on live TV and working for a similar company in the past, I felt very confident and comfortable with the script. So when it came to the screen test and going through the first take I managed to nail it and receive great praise from the Executive Producer. A lot of it was down to the hard work I put in to prepare for this. I wanted it so much. I needed a change. I knew that it wasn't going to happen unless I took the time to prepare properly which I did, much to the annoyance of my housemates ha.

The screen test involved three different one or two minute scripts about promotions and what Jackpot 247 is all about. It was important to be clear and concise and to come across believable to the audience. Again my experience certainly helped with this. The last part of the screen test involved trying to sell some head phones for a minute to the camera. Now I'm sure you think that sounds strange and I certainly did too, but the company is about sales and it is about ensuring more players sign up. Something that I haven't been used to in the past, but it gives me the excitement and the emphasis to push harder in order to reach targets.

THE NEXT PHASE

I walked out of the screen test feeling very confident and certainly knowing that there was nothing more I could of done. That feeling is fantastic. If I didn't get it I knew I had tried my very best and I felt that they knew it too. Fortunately my best was enough and I was delighted to receive the call to confirm that they wanted me to join the company. The best thing was to be able to leave my old place! That brought me a lot of satisfaction!

Then it was time for some intensive training to learn not only about the scripts, the promotions, the bonuses, but importantly about using the studio and the 6 different cameras that were being used. The whole experience was so professional and made a huge impact on me. Standing positions to ensure the lighting is at its fullest was key as well as positioning so certain graphics could come up well on the screen. This was all new to me, but I have to say I was thoroughly enjoying every moment of it. I knew it was a nice step forward and I felt the progression finally taking place.

WORKING ON ITV

First and foremost how great to tweet and to put on Facebook that I will be on ITV and not an obscure sky channel! That felt good I'm not going to lie. I know I'm not hosting the XFactor or a massive show, but I feel very proud to be working on ITV. My first couple of nights I was certainly nervous, and it certainly would of come across to people that it was my first night. But what makes this company so great is the professionalism. To be given feedback is so important for anyones progression in whatever business you work in. This is no different and to be able to get the best from me, they need to tell me when I am doing something wrong and how to rectify this, and that is something that is vitally important. It will help to improve me as a presenter, it will help Jackpot247 get the best from me and it will help me progress and push forward with my presenting.

The way the night works is that I do a total of 2 and a half hours on air, compare that to 6 hours in the previous place. Usually it is an hour on, hour or hour and a half off and then a final hour and a half. Its relaxed, its professional and I feel fully energised every time I'm on air.


A special note to everyone I have met and have helped me within the company and a thank you to all of them who have helped me along my way. They have been very welcoming and helpful and I have settled in very very quickly and it feels like I have been there so long. So a big thank you to all of them and for the support from my friends and family. It's a step forward, but one that has given me the motivation to continue to progress forward and strive for more.

Thanks as always for taking the time out to read

James