How to Become a Game Show Host

Most game show hosts have a background in acting, journalism and/or broadcasting, and like other television personalities, they have studied performance of some kind in college or at broadcasting school or acting school. However, while backgrounds vary, all game show hosts have charisma, drive and a gift for gab. Become a game show host if you fit that mold and love to perform.

Instructions

Prepare

1. Get training. Enroll in a theater or broadcast journalism program or course at a local college, acting school or broadcasting school. Get on-the-job training through an internship at a local radio or television station. Know that any performance experience you gain will help you in your quest to become a game show host.

2. Know that if you're still in high school, some schools offer radio-television-film courses as well as internships for credit. Check out "C89.5 Worldwide," owned by Seattle Public Schools and operated by Nathan Hale High School students.

3. Volunteer at public radio and television stations-they always need volunteers, especially during pledge drives. Volunteering is a great way to get your foot in the door and to get free training. Also, some public radio stations allow volunteers to produce and host their own radio programs.

4. Produce and host your own show through public access television-training is free and once training is complete, you have access to production equipment and studios.

5. Host shows for free to gain experience and work toward becoming a game show host. Gain as much performance experience as you can. Join community or college theater groups; help with local productions, such as church, nursing home and kids' school performances.

6. Get to know as many people as you can, even people who aren't in show business may end up asking you to host something some day. In other words, network!

7. Volunteer to host local events of all kinds, e.g., local beauty pageants. Offer to host special events sponsored by radio or television stations you may be interning for or getting on-the-job training with.

8. Put together a sharp and professional demo/audition tape in your spare time of all your best performances. Realize you can use good home video or audio equipment to make a decent demo/audition tape.

9. Start applying for paid jobs in radio, television and film. Audition for local commercials and any other paid performances you hear about. Know that you can find out about voiceover work for commercials at local radio or television stations and sound recording studios.

Develop a Career

1. Put together an acting resume. Have professional photos (a.k.a. headshots) taken of yourself to include with your acting resume. Keep this resume updated: you'll definitely need one to become a game show host.

2. Re-do your demo/audition tape once you've gained performance expertise and hosting experience.

3. Begin looking for a talent agent who can book auditions and performances for you, e.g., MC (Master of Ceremonies) for concerts and shows and other hosting gigs.

4. Try out for reality shows, such as American Idle (if you sing), or audition for MTV shows--for instance, interview to be a cast member on "Real World." Gain television exposure and network so that you can become a game show host soon.

5. Realize that to become a game show host you will most likely have to move to a city like Los Angeles or New York eventually. Visit first and be well-prepared before making a long-distance move to a major city.

6. Realize that many aspiring performers have moved to places like Los Angeles or New York unprepared both financially and emotionally and/or without proper training and contacts only to end up returning home disappointed and broke.

7. Know before you decide to move anywhere for show business, that it's best to first have a good talent agent who will help you get set up in an apartment and send you to auditions and jobs. Having a good agent you can trust is crucial, no matter where you're living.

8. Learn first-hand about becoming a game show host and experience Los Angeles while taking a one-session course on television hosting called "Hollywood Hosting 101." Find out what it's all about before you move.

9. Move to a show biz city like Los Angeles, New York, Nashville or others on your own if you have ample funds and solid contacts in place. (Many other cities are now gaining recognition for television and film production as well as live/recorded music performance.)

Resources

• Learn all about acting and how to get started in the business.
• Learn about a one-session class called
• Learn how to sign up for game shows.
• Find out about how famous game show hosts got started.
• Learn how high school students run a radio station-listen to live streaming audio.
• Learn how to be on MTV.