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Nick Hardcastle
Nick Hardcastle is the presenter of the ABC Childrens television show, Creature Features.
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Q. What would you say was your big break?
A. Probably playing the role of Sally's boyfriend Tim O'Connell on Home and Away from 1997 to 1998.
Q. Did you take part in school plays when you were young?
A. Heeeeaps and heeeeaps of them!
Q. What was your first TV appearance like for you?
A. I was 8 years old and appeared in a real estate television commercial. If you blinked you'd miss me. I remember having to run up and hug this old guy who was supposed to be my grandfather and thinking that he smelled funny. I also remember that I had to do this scene where I was drinking juice and eating biscuits and getting busted for eating too much between takes.
Q. What's the best way you've found to overcome nerves?
A. Focus on your breath and relax - to be honest, I don't get nervous very often but sometimes I use them and put all of that energy into my performance.
Q. What's the best way of learning lines?
A. You have to say them out loud; it makes it so much easier as you develop a rhythm just like singing a song and repeat and repeat and repeat...
Q. Is being a TV presenter very different from acting in a drama, soapie or comedy series?
A. It is very different. As an actor it is a sin to ever look at the camera as you exist only in a fictional world, where as presenters can reach the audience directly through the camera just being themselves, not playing a character. There are also a lot more people involved in a drama or comedy series where presenters work with much smaller crews.
Q. What do you think are the 3 most important things for a TV presenter to know?
A. 1. To be confident and natural as you are - don't try to put on a persona or be too over the top, people can smell fakes from miles away.
2. Do your homework - read your briefs and notes and any research that you've been given so that if you are in a situation with a guest you can just wing it if you have to and keep the segment spontaneous.
3. Always be punctual, professional and treat your crew well, after all - they're the ones that are filming and recording you - wouldn't you want them to tell you that there's something in your teeth?
Q. What do you love the most about your job?
A. I love the opportunity I have to travel around this amazing country of ours meeting incredible people who are passionate about sharing their knowledge of animals. I have had the privilege of experiences with some extraordinary creatures that most people will never get to have in their life time - patting Rhinos and Hippos, swimming with dolphins, hand feeding baby Tassie Devils, Fresh water crocodiles, Deer and Owls - how unreal is that!
Q. What do you like the least about your job?
A. Some days we will spend very long days on hot stinking properties when the animals won't behave and getting the camera shot we need becomes almost impossible - but those days are few and far between and I still manage to keep a smile on my dial.
Q. Have you ever been frightened of any of the animals you've had on Creature Features?
A. No, I've handled a lot of snakes and really enjoyed that but I used to be a bit scared of big lizards like Goannas and Lace monitors but I've conquered that fear now!
Q. What was your favourite animal on Creature Features?
A. That is a really hard one - getting close to the Hippo was a highlight and I'm a sucker for puppies.
Q. Do you have any advice for kids out there who would like to become television presenters?
A. Start experimenting now. Grab your families or schools video camera or find a friend who has one and start creating your own stories and pieces to camera. I would also look at doing workshops - I teach some myself. Presenters need to have a range of skills so whatever you do, don't give up your sports and other hobbies as they could really help you in the end.
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