So you want to be on camera?

Whirr…zoom…snap…CLICK!

Did the sound of the camera make you shy away like a shadow or blush like a tomato?  Or maybe you did try to speak in front of it but all you could muster was a tiny squeak that probably only the mouse under your bed understood.  Oh well, you sigh, maybe I’ll just stick to my hair brush microphone and invisible audience.

As beginners, we are certainly not used to seeing ourselves or hearing our own voice recorded. It just feels awkward, who are we talking to? We were definitely not made to talk to inanimate objects were we? Why are our eyes so shifty and god… can’t our hands just stop fidgeting? What if we told you it’s not that hard and you can easily master the art of speaking in front of a camera with just a little practice? Here we have some tips that you might find helpful:

• Wear an outfit you are comfortable in but make an effort for the camera and your audience. If you want them to take you seriously, your viewers need to see that you take this seriously.
• Organize your script and filming schedule beforehand to avoid any confusion while going about it.
• Declutter your filming area and make it pleasing to look at. Again, you don’t have to do any elaborate makeovers. A clean, tidy and bright place with great lighting will do.
• Watching few videos, both good and bad prior to filming your own will definitely give you some tips. Make sure you take notes on this. It might help you in the future too.
• Check your body language. Be casual but not too casual. Although nobody wants to see you standing frozen to the ground in attention, nobody would prefer to see you slouching lazily or flailing your arms around either.
• As cliché as it sounds, we are still going to say it – breathe! Take a few minutes to relax and gather yourself. It’s easier to speak when you breathe like a normal human and not like you’re being choked.
• Speaking on camera is different from writing. It has to be conversational. You are talking to people, not reading a legal letter. However, remember to speak a little slower than you would during normal conversations so that it is easy to understand.
• Smile, but not in a forced way. Be natural. Laugh and joke a little if you must. If you pretend the camera is a friend, it makes this easier.
• To avoid any awkward silences, you’ve got to know what you are going to say. You don’t want to be scratching your head thinking what next, do you?
• If you are filming with crew members, then it is best to choose people you are comfortable working with. The calmer the surroundings, the better.
• Have you observed any nervous tics that you have? Tapping your feet maybe? Fidgety fingers? Eyes turn into rapid blinkers, or using way too much of the same words, or sounds – uh, oh, hmm, okay, basically? If you haven’t noticed, you should start monitoring them while you practice.
• It’s okay if you go off the script a little as long as it still makes sense. Memorizing it word to word and repeating it will just make you sound like Siri. Yes, we’re afraid so.
• If you find it hard to remember lines, you could have someone hold up boards for you. This won’t be necessary if you divide your script into short portions of 2-5 sentences. It’s easier to remember this way and you won’t be left stammering.
• Hydrate yourself in between. You don’t want to sound parched like Blondy from “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”
• Choose a time of the day you are most comfortable filming and before you begin, give yourself some time to build your energy and get in the zone. Do whatever works for you, yoga, a mug of coffee, perhaps just screaming at the top of your voice or dancing.
• Authenticity is the key. There’s nothing better than being the best version of yourself on your video. You are great; you don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not. People love to see the confident and real “you,” someone who is comfortable in their own skin.
• Try, try and keep trying until you succeed. Remember the Scottish story of good old King Bruce and the spider? His army was defeated six times. Completely disheartened, he was inspired by a spider that failed to weave its web six times but persisted and succeeded the seventh time. Whether it is seven times or seventy times, don’t give up!
• Above all, talk about something you are passionate about. When you choose a topic you love, your words will flow, your eyes will sparkle and all of the points mentioned above become a cake walk.

Did we help you with these tips? Not too hard, are they? We are sure you can do it. So the next time you hear lights, camera, action, we hope to see you smiling confidently into the camera!