Long-time television and radio host Mark Leishman began his TV career as a continuity announcer, and then moved on to the regional news show Today Tonight.

Long-time television and radio host Mark Leishman began his TV career as a continuity announcer, and then moved on to the regional news show Today Tonight.

Over the years, Leishman has appeared on a number of hit shows including Top Town, That’s Fairly Interesting and Tux Wonderdogs. As well as presenting, he has also directed documentaries such as A Friend For Life and Kohi: A Guide For Life.

In this ScreenTalk, Leishman talks about:

• Getting a chance to read the news and create stories on Today Tonight
• Taking over the reins on Top Town
• How budgets and health and safety regulations weren’t an issue
• A future All Black becoming ultra competitive
• Joining a youthful Phil Keoghan hosting That’s Fairly Interesting
• Missing out on some great footage when directing the Peter Blake Bi-Centennial Race Around Australia
• Making Tux Wonderdogs a hit
• Jim Mora’s scripts and voice bringing personality to the show
• Creating a series of documentaries on guide dogs
• Pitting celebrities against a young genius on The Great NZ Spelling Bee
• Feeling fortunate to have had a good long run on TV

This video is available on YouTube to embed and distribute via a Creative Commons licence.

NZ On Screen: Camera and Editing – Andrew Whiteside