We video heaps of people. Some of them will deliver their message with full intention, without any hesitation. Other people need multiple takes, coffees and/or cupcakes to get their messages across. Now fortunately there are a couple of powerful tricks to overcome camera stress.
This is what we tell our clients and how we coach them through the process.
1. It’s ok.
It’s ok to feel nervous. You’re a spokesperson for your company, not a professional actor. If we start by accepting the fact that we are nervous and stressed about it, then we are no longer resisting it and adding weight to it.
This is when we remind you about the essence of filmmaking, which is all about doing multiple takes, adjusting bits and pieces and then choosing the one you’re happy with. There you go. Stress levels have gone down to 80%.
2. Be yourself.
How easy can it be? Just be yourself. Producing efforts to be “better” than yourself is often useless. Your clients will feel when you’re trying too hard, and deep inside you know that being natural, being just you…is the best you can do.
If that means you use your hands, then use gestures and body language. If you’re more the static type, then just stand there happily. If you smile a lot, don’t give up on that. We love smiles and so does your audience. Stress has now gone to 60%.
3. Prepare well.
A script can work well, and you may have other ways to really get ready. Prepare what you’re going to convey, use bullet points and order your thoughts. Never, ever ever memorise lines. Your audience will feel it, you will feel it and you will struggle
to deliver with natural flair. Practice in front of a mirror, a smartphone camera or test your delivery in front of your family. A script is important to get the ideas right, not to detail every word. Talk from the heart, and you will sound so much more credible.
Stress is now down to 40%.
4. Wear comfy clothes.
It doesn’t matter what the video is about, in general everyone wants to come across as nice, credible and natural. So it’s important that you feel at ease. Wear comfortable clothing, pick something you like and that you feel confident in.
And for the ladies: make up or no make up? The answer is: be yourself. If you always wear make up, then go for it but don’t overdo it. If you never wear any make up, don’t feel obliged to wear it just for the video. If it means you won’t feel comfortable then don’t do it.
Solved. Stress level down to 20%.
5. Just do it.
The best way to overcome camera shyness is to take action. You’ll see, the fear will go away, you’ll get better and better with every new take. Just do it, enjoy it and don’t take it too seriously. Have a bit of fun and a good laugh when it all goes wrong and you’ll see that your stress level is down to zero!
There’s always another take 🙂
Els Van de Veire
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