Theater starts with a coat rack, and vlogs and video podcasts start with the first take on camera, which you will criticize in 98.9% of cases. Don’t rush to despair, because the reaction to the first video excerpt, “What a horror!” is absolutely natural.
A presenter goes through several stages of growth in his or her work with a video camera. Working for the camera is the same process as working on yourself, like learning a foreign language or working out in the gym.
The profession of a presenter will require twice as much endurance, perseverance, and patience from you as any other job, because it’s about overcoming fear, making friends with self-esteem, and mastering the ability to present information clearly and easily. So, fasten your seat belts, turn on your favorite music in the background, and let’s start a journey into a world where working on camera is not scary.
Tip #1: Listen to what your body is saying.
I started my relationship with a video camera on television. Back then, I was reporting from the Central Election Commission to one of the capital’s TV channels. It is impossible to convey these feelings without joking. Everything happens as if in a dream, where your head doesn’t remember the text, and your body lives the life of two strangers. Your upper body is holding an ethereal punch in front of the black eye of the video camera, and your knees are letting off steam-shaking as if they’re getting ready to give a tectonics class. If you feel the same way, now you know you’re not alone.
Sports or exercise can help you overcome this body image. Think about how you feel after the gym or your favorite workout. When your body is tired and relaxed, and you seem to be floating in space. Of course, you’re not going to be able to do jogging around a video camera. However, a few exercises from your morning routine will help you exhale. Still in doubt? Stand in the plank for more than a minute and try to record yourself on camera.
Tip #2: What’s wrong with my hands?
Do your hands seem to take on a life of their own when you’re working on camera? You’re not imagining things. Hands help people express themselves. Instead of saying “bye” or “hello,” you can wave, and everything will become clear, right? For some people, sign language is the only language they can use to express their thoughts.
Tip #3: You can use cheat sheets!
This is a phrase that school teachers will never, ever say, but I will say: cheat sheets are green lighted! A pre-written and memorized text will help you in your confrontation with the camera. If you know your text, or at least know where to look, you are 50% ready! This will give you a sense of confidence and reduce your trepidation a bit.
Of course, you might forget a sentence while you’re writing it down. But you have a cheat sheet, right? Write it down in your phone’s notes, and you’ll look quite impressive in the shot. Life hack: you can stick a sticker with your brand’s advertisement on the back of your phone, and you’ll have a cheat sheet-advertisement.
Tip #4: If you don’t repeat it, you forget it.
I once had a young colleague who was desperately trying to record a 20-second stand-up for the news. He was constantly stumbling, forgetting the text, nervous, and generally probably feeling the same way you do on your first time speaking on camera. He recorded a successful take only on the 52nd try, becoming the hero of the cameramen’s memes. He had no chance for another role.
Tip #5: Chewing pencils or wine corks?
What kind of mockery is this? But it’s not. There are many methods of working with diction. This one is considered one of the most famous and easiest. Take a pencil and bite down on it with your teeth so that your tongue rests on the tip of it when you speak. Now open any text and read it. It should be funny, but ultimately effective. After regular exercises, your diction will become more expressive, and difficult words will be read easily and quickly.
You can try a similar trick with wine corks by putting a few of them in your mouth. Clear diction will give you confidence when you record.