Karin Giannone – Q&A

Name?
Karin Giannone

Age?
29

Where are you from?
I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but moved to the UK when I was 2 and grew up in Edinburgh, Sussex and Kent..

How did you get started in broadcasting?
I edited ‘Varsity,’the student newspaper at Cambridge University, and while there got involved with local radio, then did some work experience at the local TV station, Anglia. That led to me being taken on as one of their graduate news trainees after I finished my finals..

When was that?
I began working in TV in October 1997.

Why News broadcasting?
I’ve been addicted to current affairs for many years and can’t do without rolling news constantly on the radio or TV around the house and in the car..

Where else would have viewers seen or heard you before?
I presented Anglia News until last year, and I also spent a year as a reporter/presenter on Channel 4’s Football Italia from 99-00.

What is your Best on-air moment?
One moment that springs to mind was interviewing Peter Hillary, Sir Edmund’s son, by videophone live on Sky, while he stood at the foot of Everest on the 50th anniversary of his father’s ascent. It’s moments like those when you realise how incredible the technology is nowadays, and it’s a huge buzz.

What is your Worst on-air moment?
The first ever time I read a news bulletin – the regional GMTV opt on Anglia. Horrific! I was so nervous I thought I was going to swallow my tongue and be rendered unable to speak! Everything went black for a couple of moments and I really thought I was about to faint. I raced through it so fast it was probably completely unintelligible to any viewer!

What would you like to do before your career ends?
I am due to have a baby any day now – so that’ll be an interesting diversion! I’m supposed to have been playing it Mozart in the womb but it’s going to be a lot more familiar with the Sky News and Five Live theme tunes.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Watch films, eat Indian food, drink red wine, go to the gym, go horseriding, and travel.

What advice would you give to anyone that would like to get into the broadcasting world?
Be prepared to work for free, do work experience pretty much anywhere you can. I’ve done a lot of teamaking and opening of post in my time.

A big thanks to Karin for taking part.

Posted by on Thursday 21 May 2009
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