Are your ready for the Camera?

There is no great secret to looking good on camera. With over 10 years of study in Toastmasters International, and about 5 years of coaching executives to look good on camera and on stage, I have observed a few simple guidelines that have always produced a better result. Don't let this scare you out of appearing in your own video; anyone can do this.

The professional principle

Professionals have a way of making this look easy. They rehearse it until it looks that way.

The 'ad-libber' principle

Free-wheelers and ad-libbers use about 3 times the number of words required to make the point, and they often have difficulty making the point. Make a plan and stick to it. Write your message out in full - get brutal and cut-cut-cut.

The 'less is more' principle

Make your sentences shorter rather than longer. It's easier to remember when you're looking at the camera, and its easier to understand as a viewer.

The 'write the way you speak' principle

How we write is not how we speak; remember, you are preparing to speak. Read it out loud. If you can't get you mouth around it, re-write it. if it feels difficult in rehearsal the camera won't make it look any better, and we can't fix it with editing.

The 'surgeon' principle

I've noticed that Surgeons are sometimes puzzled when I ask them to re-shoot a clip, but I rarely had to ask that of a surgeon. In their world, they are accustomed to getting it right the first time. They practice more, and cut less.

The 'do-over' principle

When we are pre-recording, do-over's can be a good thing - it's an opportunity for improvement. Even then, rehearsing before you go on camera is good thing - it will reduce the cost of studio time and editing time.

 

 

The 'Teleprompter' principle

Teleprompters are a conundrum. When you have difficulty remembering a long and detailed message, the teleprompter helps you get it right. But you also want to look natural and reading does not play well on-camera.

Have you ever noticed that news casters have their notes on paper but they never look at them, and somehow they they almost always get it right?

It's not magic. Their notes are on a the teleprompter and they are reading. You don't realize they are reading because they have mastered the art of writing the way they speak, moreover, they have mastered the art of 'reading' the way they speak.

The teleprompter solves the memory problem, but creates a performance barrier. This too is just practice.

The 'Rock Star' principle

No matter who your are or how hard you try, some people will love you and some people will hate you. You will find it far easier to be yourself and work on amplifying who you are.

Amplifying 'you' is all about your rate of speech, intonation and tone, pauses, body language etc; its all basic stuff but it makes a significant difference in how people perceive you.

We provide on-camera coaching services but the rock star make-over is a special order item.

That 'je ne sais quoi and ego' principle

Some believe that you either have it or you don't. They can't put a figure on it but they know it when they see it. Others think it takes an extrovert. Some think they are naturals and don't have to prepare. I disagree.

After 10 years of watching gawky, uncomfortable people learn to shine on stage, my money will always be on the person who acknowledges that preparation will always produce a better result.

While some find it easier that others, everyone can do it if they prepare for it.