Get Comfy on Camera

Not everyone who sits in front of a camera is an actor. In fact, for those who aren’t used to being on camera regularly, it can be an incredibly nerve-racking experience! Sure, some may seem to have a knack for the spotlight, but oftentimes even the most outgoing people clam up when the red light starts blinking. Why does this happen and what can we do about it?

Well to start, it’s unnatural to talk at an object and not a live person. Especially if there are others in the room watching you talk to said object. Meanwhile the speaker doesn’t get any immediate feedback in the form of a facial expression or body language, and it can feel like you’re talking to a wall… literally. Heck, even after the virtual shift that came about during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still awkward to participate in video calls. Do you look at the camera and ignore the faces on screen? Or do you make “eye contact” with the faces and miss the camera? Or maybe you’re in the camp that avoids the camera altogether!

We were all created for authentic human connection, so it’s no surprise that most of us would rather go grocery shopping with 2 toddlers and a newborn than speak in front of a camera, but today I hope to change that. I am going to address some helpful techniques and offer recommendations that will make you feel more comfortable on camera. And if you’re not the primary subject, these tips will help you coach and direct those who will be. Let’s start with the basics!

#1 - Breathe & Set the Stage

When dealing with a particularly nervous subject, it’s so important to help them relax. Get them a glass of water, ask them about their week, anything to help them calm down and get comfortable having a conversation. When they’re ready, begin by walking them through the process so they know exactly what to expect. If you’ll be asking them questions, make sure they’ve received the questions ahead of the shoot, or at the very least, have them printed off so they can review them before filming.

If you are filming yourself, find a quiet place to set up that’s free of distractions. You are going to feel awkward the first few times anyway, but there’s no need to add the pressure of including others in the room unless they are critical to the shoot and/or need to be on camera. Allow yourself the time and freedom to try, fail, and adjust. Once you’re ready to hit record, take a couple of deep breaths and imagine you’re chatting with a friend.

The following are helpful recommendations to further set you or your subject at ease and get the most out of each shoot:

• If filming an interview-style video, sit to one side of the camera and have your subject look at you instead of the camera. This will help reinforce the human connection, making the dialogue feel much more conversational.
• Remove anyone from the set who is not directly involved in the production. You may have heard the expression, “Too many cooks in the kitchen.” If someone is already nervous about speaking on camera, having a crowd tossing out pointers and phrases will most certainly overwhelm them.
• Leave the camera rolling. Even the most skilled speakers need a couple of attempts to get a great take. Unless you’re breaking for an extended period, let the camera record everything so you never miss a good run. Editing tip: If you’ll be editing the video later, it’s a heck of a lot easier to scrub through one piece of footage to find the best clip than it is to open several different video files.

#2 - Animate & Exaggerate 

This is where things can get uncomfortable quickly for those who are not on camera often. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to simply survive and squeak your lines out so you can get to the next task because the camera does not fill in the gaps of our emotions and expressions nearly as well as our brains do when we’re having a conversation. To convey the impact of your message, the subject needs to be overtly expressive, almost to an unnatural level. They need to be animated and exaggerated, and for many, this is the hardest part. Try these techniques when preparing your subject:

• Have the subject go off script for a moment and give you the full context of their story. They will bring about the authentic emotion naturally, then use that momentum and hit record!
• Nobody likes to be told they’re doing something wrong. If you need more expression, encourage the subject to try various deliveries (i.e. one that is subdued, another that’s over the top, and one more still that mimics a popular public speaker they know well).

The point here is to ultimately make sure that the viewer feels what the speaker wants them to feel. This creates a stronger connection (even through video), and has a higher likelihood of moving the viewer to your call-to-action.

#3 - Repeat!

This may sound obvious, but rarely is the first take the best one. Especially when working with nervous clients, it can take a few tries to get into the swing of things and break free from the invisible shell. Be patient and remind them you can always do another take, so there’s no need to stop and restart after every pause or fumble. These feelings are perfectly normal! In fact, there’s a reason actors go to school to study and perfect the artform. Start from the top and repeat these steps until both parties are satisfied with the results.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to take a break! Sometimes, all it takes is a 5 minute walk and some fresh air to get back on track. If folks are looking painfully uncomfortable, let them stretch, clear their head, and review their notes. Once they’re ready, you may find some energy that didn’t exist before.

Be Patient and Encouraging

Remember, your clients may not be used to getting on camera everyday. Unless of course, you’re filming yourself then maybe you are, but if you’re new to this whole thing, this still very much applies! Be patient with yourself, be patient with your clients. Speaking on camera is a learned skill. It certainly can be developed over time, but if time is not a luxury you have, use this strategy to help generate better results for the time-being. Take a deep breath, set the stage, animate your expressions, and create something amazing.