Camera Shy? How to Gain Confidence for Your Video Shoot
We love creating videos that feature real people – business owners, employees and customers sharing their real experiences. Most of these people aren’t professional actors or models though, so it’s understandable that sometimes they may be feeling a little nervous about their shoot day. And here’s a little secret – even after spending years in the industry, I still get nervous about being on-camera (which is why I like to be behind the camera, haha). If you’re like me, here are a few tips on how to prepare and come to your video shoot feeling confident.
Tip #1: Keep It Simple
The good news is that promo videos are best kept short, so no need to over-complicate things. A typical promo video should be around two minutes or less and for social or in-stream ads, the shorter the better. (Think of that skip button – in 5 seconds or less you have to convince your viewers not to skip past!) That means that a lot of your footage – actually MOST of it – is going to end up on the chopping block. We generally don’t require a lot of preparation on your end when producing a video with non-actors. Unless directed otherwise, it’s best practice to ignore that the cameras are even there. Just do what you do naturally and let your video crew handle the rest.
If you are doing a voice over in your video, the voice recording will happen separately from the video shoot. This means if you make a mistake, the voice can be recorded over again without affecting any of the video footage. Many people have the tendency to speak faster when they are nervous, so remember to take your time and speak clearly yet naturally. If practice makes you feel better, do it!
Tip #2: Plan Ahead
If you are ever feeling less than confident, a little planning can go a long way. Prior to shooting, you will be given an approved outline of the video shoot, including a script if applicable. Take some time the day before your shoot to run through the outline one last time. Picture how you will participate in the scene, what you will wear, and if there is anything you need to bring. Having these things ready to go the day before will help you feel prepared, calm and collected. Envision the video shoot going exactly the way you want. What does that look like for you? If you are unsure about any aspect, reach out to your video crew to have them clarify.
Tip #3: Give Yourself A Pep Talk
It’s important to remember that being nervous is ok! Even professional actors and performers get stage fright and it’s literally their job. In fact, that’s something that I myself struggle with when I have to be in the spotlight, and one technique that I use is practicing in front of a mirror. The mirror allows you to picture yourself in place of the audience. Give yourself positive reinforcement. Visualize how you’ll feel when you receive your finished video and it looks amazing! Picturing a positive outcome will help you look and feel confident on camera. This technique is known as positive affirmation and can also be done as a meditation. If you need some guidance, there are tons of free videos online for guided meditations using positive affirmations.
Tip #4: Communicate With Your Video Crew
Last but not least, always keep an open line of communication with your video production crew. Even on the day of the shoot, it’s not too late to ask questions. As video production experts, we already have a vision for how each shot should be executed. It’s perfectly normal for scenes to require multiple takes, even when working with professional actors. We’re here to assure you that you are doing great, and we’ll know when we have all the right shots. Mistakes and do-overs are simply part of the process in video editing and will have no effect on the end result of your promo video. If you are ever unsure of something, don’t be afraid to speak up and let your video crew know.
Whether this is the first time you’ve been on video or the 100th, I hope these tips help put your mind at ease. Are there any techniques that you’ve used for public speaking or video that have helped you feel more confident? Share with us in the comments!
Until next time…
-Sara E. Jones, CEO & Co-founder, RadBot Video