Have a question that has been nagging you for a while now but you are too embarrassed to ask aloud? Worry not, email me your question and I shall answer!
This week, I was asked, ‘How do I relax in front of the camera?’
Hi ‘I-am-tense-and-stiff-while-facing-the-camera’! Thank you for writing in. I am glad you chose to write because this is something that a lot of people experience but feel a little embarrassed to ask. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being ‘Casey Neistat making his daily vlogs’ and 10 being ‘Sheldon Cooper filming fun with flags’ most of us actually fall somewhere in between when we are facing the camera. While we all can’t be as fortunate as Sheldon who can bank on his neighbour, an aspiring actress, Penny to drop by and share her professional expertise in person, every time he has to make a camera appearance, there is nothing stopping us from benefiting from Penny’s advice as well. Let us call it ‘trickle-down-coaching’. For what it is worth, Penny gets it right. Being relaxed can help you look inviting and welcoming. It makes you appear friendly and engaging. So how does one feel and appear relaxed?
The trick that I use to appear relaxed in front of the camera is that I imagine that I am in my happy place. Imagine you are in your favourite pub and you are one and a half pints in, which means you are relaxed, you are enjoying yourself, you are engaging, you may even be smiling, you are using your hands to tell stories because that is actually what the camera loves. The ‘one and the half pint in’ you is affable, charming and always has a witty comment right up their sleeve. They are expressive while talking. Their facial and hand gestures complement what they are saying. Remember how happy memories drive away Dementors? Go conjure up the ‘one and half pint in version of you’ and use it as patronus to drive away the dementor of camera shyness! So the next time you find yourself behind that lens, imagine you are at The Queen’s Head as opposed to in front of the screen.
Do you recall how you felt when you learnt to ride a bike? Initially, you were all wobbly and shaky but the more you rode, the better you got at it. Camera appearances are the same. The more you appear in front of a camera, the more confident you will feel. The more appearances you make, the more you will realise most flattering angles, locations, backdrops, and colours for your camera appearance.
So go ahead, do not slouch, keep your back straight and step in the spotlight! Face that camera, say your piece and keep doing it over and over again!
P.S. If The Queen’s Head is not your jam, then you can try your luck at The King’s head, The Bling Pig, Common Decency, Evans & Peel Detective Agency, The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, Happiness Forgets, The Dog and the Duck, Horse & Groom, The Lamb & Flag, there is no dearth of pubs with funny names in London.
P.P.S. Keep some chocolate handy. Not only does it help after conjuring a patronus, you can treat yourself for facing and winning over your camera appearance shaped dementor
You can book a 1:1 conversation with Susie or enrol in the academy to up your camera appearances game!
