At Interserv, we make a lot of EdTech videos which require people to get in front of a camera. We make everything from interviews and live talks to straight-to-camera explainers. These are often used in eLearning courses, featured on professional development platforms, or uploaded to YouTube.
I’ve always admired people who seem completely natural on camera. And I really respect anyone who has the courage to give it a go especially when it doesn’t come easy. Often our talent is well versed in front of camera and need little instruction or encouragement to get going. However sometimes people get extremely nervous.
Tips for recording presenters
I remember one person who took over an hour to get through a few simple questions. Off camera, he was well-spoken and confident. However, as soon as the camera came on, his nerves got the better of him and he tied his responses in knots with unnatural phrasing and words.
If you’ve had talent with similar experiences, here are some ways you can put them at ease:
- Share some reassuring statements. For example,
- "It’s our job to make you look good..."
- "We’ll cut out any gaffes..."
- "You're your own worst critic..."
- Give them a breather before recording
- Offer time to practice in front of the cameras
And if all else fails? Make them forget the cameras are even there.
In fact, this last point turned out to be the most effective method. To help our friend, we took a break, reshared the reassuring statements, held a practice, took another break and offered one more practice on set – all without turning the cameras off! In the end, our friend nailed it.
Tips for onscreen talent
What can you do if you’re the one presenting? Like anything else, being on camera is a learnable skill. A little practice and some practical advice can go a long way. Here's our advice:
- Practice what you want to say
- Take a few deep breaths before starting
- Look into the camera
- Maintain good posture
- Speak naturally, just like you usually do
Finally, maybe the best (and worst) advice is this: nobody really cares. Whether you're amazing or a bit awkward, it’s unlikely to change your life. So don’t be afraid to give it a go!
