I volunteered to make a goodbye video for one of the many departing executives at my soon-to-be-former company. I don't have that much to do these days and thought it would be fun. I videotaped about 20 people saying how much they'll miss him or what he meant to them. As someone who has been on camera quite a bit and also spent time on the other side, I noticed a number of basic "mistakes" that these people made on camera. Because we're in a digital age, more and more people will find themselves in front of a camera without any special training. Come to think of it, more people will also find themselves behind a camera without any special training. So I thought I'd make a quick list of helpful things to know:
1) Find your light. The best light for shooting is outside on an overcast day. The clouds naturally diffuse the light so there are no harsh shadows and no squinting. Avoid standing in overhead light as it casts very unflattering shadows, or being half in the sun, half out. Just be conscious of where the light is coming from, you can feel it on your face and adjust accordingly. On one really bright day, I had people stand in the shade and used a bounce board (in this case a white piece of poster board) to bounce light from the sun, back onto the subject.
2) Close your mouth and open your eyes. People tend to hold their breath until they're ready, because they're nervous, and then just before speaking take a huge breath. It looks really weird and it makes for an awkward cut. Almost everyone started speaking with their mouth wide open and their eyes closed. There's no hurry here. Take a deep breath. Release it. Close your mouth, make eye contact and then start speaking.
3) Wait for "action!" People think that just because the camera is pointed at them that the camera person is taping and ready. Not so. I need to adjust my framing, look at the lighting, and check a number of things before I'm ready. I know it's uncomfortable to have a camera pointed at you but just take your breaths and be patient. Wait to hear "when you're ready" and then take a beat before starting. I missed a number of lines because people were already talking by the time I hit "record" or I had to start a cut with their mouth wide open.
4) Don't run away. By the same token, please don't be in such a hurry to leave. Again, I know people don't like to be on camera but being uncomfortable only makes it worse, the camera sees everything. When you're done talking, close your mouth and make eye contact and just breath until the camera person cues you to leave. It makes for difficult cuts when people immediately turn their head and walk away or close their eyes, look down, etc. One person actually put their hand in front of their face at the end of the take!
5) Do two takes. Everyone is better the second time. Most professional actors don't hit it on the first take, why do you think you will? Again, people are uncomfortable and want to get it over with as soon as possible but the hitch is, the video lasts forever and your thirty seconds of gaping mouth, closed eyes, hurried gestures and half finished sentences are captured for everyone to see. It won't kill you to do it again and I guarantee it will be 100% better. My voiceover coach used to say "you never want to say the words for the first time in the booth." In other words, practice. Practice a few times before being on camera, and then do it on camera at least twice.
6) Speak up. Most amateur video is recorded with an in-camera mic. If the camera is pointed at you, so is the microphone but it always helps to speak a little louder than normal. Don't shout, just speak clearly and confidently. Also keep in mind that the mic is recording any other sounds coming from your direction - foot tapping, pen clicking, paper rustling or any other nervous tic. There will be this hideous noise running over your dialogue that can't be removed because it's on the same track as your audio. Stay calm.
7) Get unnaturally close. I like to fill the frame with my subject and have them slightly off to the side. But if there are more than one person in the frame, they need to stand close together, closer than you would normally. You can overlap your bodies so one person stands slightly in front of the other but you seriously have to huddle for three or more people. The camera puts a lot of space in between you so even though you're closer than normal, you'll look normal on camera. In fact, three people standing comfortably together don't even fit on camera and look like they're miles apart me. Trust me.
8) Ask how you were. You probably think it will sound vain to ask the camera person how you did but it will be so appreciated. When people are this uncomfortable in front of the camera, it's hard to ask them to do different things and try it again. Asking lets me know that you're willing to make adjustments. If I can direct people, they'll be ten times better but most people aren't willing to be directed. That stubbornness will come across on camera. Everyone can look good if they want to.
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