How to Feel Comfortable on Camera

Are you doing something interesting? Something important? Are you trying to get your message out there? Do you want to persuade? Are you trying to make an impact? Then the chances are that you will be interviewed on camera. I’ve shot a lot of interviews. Here’s what I’ve noticed the best interviewees do:

I know it sounds kind of cliched. But you need to be yourself on video. For some reason, as soon as the camera starts rolling, some people turn into another person. A wall goes up, and they take on a different persona. Some kind of adapted self. And what ends up happening is that you come across as too guarded. Or a phoney. And the audience loses interest.

Now, this is easy for me to say. It’s sometimes more challenging to do. Because it involves actually exploring why you don’t want to be yourself. And the reason is usually fear.

Fear of being in a vulnerable situation. Under the spotlight. Fear of the unknown. Fear of not knowing what to say. Or any number of other reasons. Even just acknowledging that the fear exists, is a good way to start dissolving it.

Then, having a go at positively reframing the interview as an opportunity: For you to get your ideas out there. To make an impact. To share your ideas. It actually feels really empowering to be interviewed, and articulate your ideas in a clear, confident way.

And then, to do some preparation. Now, I don’t mean writing a script. Because an interview is a conversation. It needs to feel natural and casual. What I mean is really thinking about the message that you want to share. Think about the audience that will watch the video. The impact you want to have on them.

And just remember, the job of the camera crew and the interviewer is make you look good. Only the best bits of the interview will be used. And if you mess something up, you can have another go.

So get out there. Use your voice. Share your ideas, and enjoy the process 🙂