Not everyone feels confident in front of a camera. In fact most people I know would prefer to be behind the scenes. However there are some things you can do to boost your on camera confidence and improve your on screen performance.
1. Know where you are looking
If you have the role of presenter you will be looking into the camera lens. It seems obvious, but remember that if you are using a tablet the lens will be over to the side. It might help to put a coloured sticker on the back of the tablet as a reminder where to look.
2. Hands
Think about what you’re going to do with your hands. There’s nothing worse than hands waving about in a random fashion. You might want to clasp them or have them by your side. If you are a person who uses your hands while speaking, then make sure they don’t disappear out of the shot, it can look a bit weird.
3. Feet
Make sure you have a stable base for your body, that means having your feet slightly apart on the ground. It won’t work every time but you won’t tip over or wobble while your talking
4. Scripts
If you have a good memory learn your script off by heart. If you don’t then have the main points of your script in bullet points on a sheet or card. That means you won’t we reading your script ‘word for word’ off the page and your delivery will sound more natural. Also if your reading a script you’ll be looking down and not at the camera.
5. Fake It Till You Make It
My biggest tip is if you are not feeling very confident then ‘pretend’ you are.
- Adopt a confident pose
- Put your shoulders back
- Put a smile on your face
- Keep breathing steadily
If you do this and keep doing it … then you will actually start to feel more confident. It is like you’re playing the part of a confident person. See and feel yourself as a confident person and you’re on the road to being that person.
Good luck and good filming.
If you are interested in having Jo into do a workshop in your school (or work with her on line) please get in touch.
Media Workshops by Jo Hall 