We’ve been doing lots of video interviews on shoots recently – not with TV personalities, influencers or trained spokespeople, but with average Joes like you and I!
Filming with so many different business owners, employees, tour operators and event spectators (who aren’t necessarily camera confident) has inspired us to share some tips on how to become more comfortable in front of the camera, just in case you ever get roped into it.
For many of our clients, it’s their first time speaking in front of the camera and with all that high-tech gear staring back at them, we admit it can be pretty daunting.
The Edit Suite team wants you to have an enjoyable on-camera experience, whether you’ve volunteered to be interviewed or been thrown under the bus by your boss; so here are some things you can try when someone says “just act natural” (because we know that’s much easier said than done).
Don’t overthink it. You’ve been chosen to feature in the video for a reason; you’re obviously super smart and/or great to look at. Know what the key message is and focus on that. By doing this, your passion and knowledge on the subject will naturally shine through and make for an epic piece to camera. Also, whilst we want you to have an idea of what you are going to say, we don’t find rehearsing to be super beneficial unless you’re going to read from a teleprompter.
Connect with the crew. Most production teams, including The Edit Suite, will arrive to the shoot a little early to have a chat with the talent (aka you) and create a good vibe before the interview/filming commences. We love getting to know our clients and chatting more about the purpose of the video. So don’t be shy to say hello, ask any questions and tell us more about the project before your big moment.
You’re allowed to move. When speaking in front of a camera, most people instinctively stand super still and avoid any movement during the take, but using hand gestures and being expressive can actually enhance the video. If you like to talk with your hands normally, then do that! You’ll find that getting a little expressive can release some of that nervous energy as well.
Slow it down. You might just want to get it over and done with but try your best not to rush through it. Talking quickly can impact the delivery of your message (not to mention leave you short of breath and we definitely don’t want that). Ask your producer or videographer for a quick practice run where you speak slightly slower than usual and give yourself regular short pauses to keep you centred.
“What do I do with my… eyes?”. Depending on the type of video, you may not need to look down the barrel of the camera and you can instead direct your gaze towards the producer or videographer – much easier on the eyes if we don’t say so ourselves. Another thing to consider is that the video might feature your voice more than your face if there are other shots incorporated into the video.
Don’t worry about what you look like. Have faith in your camera crew; they know all the best angles and lighting techniques to make you look 10/10. Try and remember that the viewer is more interested in the information you have to share rather than what you look like but if all else fails and you’re still concerned about your appearance, there’s always the power of editing.
Make mistakes. You’re only human and to be honest, your camera crew would probably be shocked if you nailed it on the first take. Making small mistakes lends authenticity to the video and can often lead to a solid next take. Mistakes don’t mean much when you’re working with highly-skilled editors who can seamlessly piece bits together anyway (yes, that was a plug for The Edit Suite). See your producer or videographer as your client; sell them on your product, service or experience as if it was an elevator pitch and the magic will happen naturally. We’re generally always rolling so if you’re stoked with something you’ve said, know that we got it and if not, we can keep going until you get it right.
Have fun. Whether it’s a serious video or not, you can have a laugh and enjoy the experience for what it is. Take some BTS shots for your Insta fans or do some pre-shoot lip trills – we don’t care, we just want to give you a great experience and deliver a top-notch video.
You might not realise it yet, but being on camera is becoming equally as common in our professional lives as it is in our personal lives. Video production is a powerful tool for marketing and communication strategies across many different businesses so knowing what to do on camera can be an awesome skill to have. Check out some of our previous interviewees below who were super relaxed and energised on camera after receiving some of these tips!
Based in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, The Edit Suite team is made up of experienced creatives who travel across Australia helping a range of clients take their business, project or personal brand to a new level. The Edit Suite offers a multi-service experience specialising in pre-production, video editing, motion graphics, photography, drone operation and live streaming. We provide a custom experience for every client based on their specific project requirements. Let’s chat!