How To Be Better/Confident On Camera
Want to film a video but always feel like you freeze up in front of the camera? Don’t worry! Here’s 5 tips for getting comfortable AND getting better at talking to a camera from a guy who sees it from both sides of the lens.
I’ve been a videographer for 6 years, so I know my way around a camera, however something that most people don’t know is that for equally as long, I’ve been in FRONT of the camera. I’ve been filming YouTube videos for years so I understand how to act when talking on camera and there are some tricks you can do to come off more confidently, especially if it’s your first time on camera.
The first tip is the most important but also the one that you all assumed I was going to say. It’s practice. Everyone says it, but they say it for a reason. Talking to a camera is not the most natural thing to do, and the more you do it, the better you get at it. So practice REALLY is going to be the number one thing that is going to improve the way you talk to a camera. As videographers, we often work with clients who have never been on camera before, but we’re always able to get a great take from them! And the key is practice. When we’re working with someone who’s never been on camera before and they’re expected to speak on camera, we often let them get a practice round in. If they have a script, we’ll have them read it through one time as practice and run it back a 2nd time for “the real take” once they go through it once, the 2nd time around is ALWAYS smoother.
Now, talking to a camera can really feel unnatural and kind of weird, and trust me I’ve been there, sometimes it just feels awkward talking straight to this big hunk of metal. So this second tip is one that has helped a lot! Imagine you’re talking to someone. A trick that I sometimes like to do is pretend like I’m going to send this video to my best friend, this helps bring the energy that is needed to keep it engaging, and it makes me feel more confident. This helps get past the fact that you’re only talking to the camera, if you imagine that this video is actually going to go to someone. Focusing on just 1 person can really calm your nerves. I send my best friend little videos on my phone all the time and I know she’s not going to make fun of me or make me feel insecure. So think of your 1 person, and this will help bring a human element in talking to a camera.
Tip number 3 is to know the point you’re trying to get across. Now, as videographers we do our best to make you look good on camera, but if you don’t know what you’re supposed to be saying, it will make this process exponentially harder. If you’re an industry leader then you should have no excuse not knowing information, but if you’re speaking on something you’re not necessarily an expert in, it’s totally fine, as long as you come prepared. Do your homework, make sure you’re ready to go come film day so that when you speak on the subject, it comes out as if you are an expert. Because let’s be honest, blaming us videographers for you looking bad on camera isn’t fair when you come unprepared.
Tip number 4 is more so if you’re filming yourself like here on YouTube. It might sound counterintuitive but if you’re using a camera with a flip out screen, or filming on the selfie camera on your phone, DON’T! Flip the screen around so you can’t see yourself. You’re probably thinking “what, why would i do that!?” Well, it’s because if you’re new to speaking on camera, you’re going to be drawn to looking at yourself rather than looking at the lens. In reality the screen is only an inch or so to the side of the lens right? But look at the difference, this is me looking straight at the camera lens, and THIS is me looking at myself in the screen. It may not seem like much but clearly it make a difference. When people see you looking at the screen like this, it feels like you’re not making eye contact with the viewer. This is a critical mistake because you want to feel as personable as possible so losing that personal touch by not making eye contact is huge. Aside from that, it’ll just feel weird and unnatural for the viewer, they’ll be like “what are they looking at?”
And finally, tip number 5 is to BE YOU.
Trust me, it’s a lot easier to feel awkward when you’re putting up a front and trying to be someone you’re not. You’ll watch yourself back and be like “this is kinda cringey” so if you just be you, have fun and you’re true to yourself, you’re going to watch it back and you at least know “hey, I did me, and I was true to myself” and that is a great thing. Now before we finish here, I do want to clarify something. A lot of people think “okay sure I can ‘be me’ on camera, but if i do that, i’ll be boring.” Do not get confused with “being yourself” as “being boring” Let me explain. Oftentimes when I tell people to relax and be themselves they generally speak very monotone and talk very calmly. I’m not saying you need to be the most energetic person in the world, like if it feels SOOO unnatural to talk with your hands like i do, then by all means don’t do it. BUT I want you to get into this mindset with me. When you’re on camera, I want you to think about when you’re with your friends, ya know, having fun, laughing, joking around. THAT is the mentality, the mindset that you want to bring to the camera. Because people ARE watching you, and you want them to feel like a friend, you want to connect with them as they watch. Now obviously this is sooo much easier said than done but I assure you it’s possible! You see me on camera right now, 10 years ago I was the quiet kid in school that never raised my hand, hated being singled out, and dreaded public speaking. If I can do it, anyone can!
So there you have it, those were 5 tips on how you can get better at talking on camera. If you have any further questions, we’d love to hear from you!