I am fond of saying that the Teleprompter I bought for my studio years ago was one of the best investments I ever made. A prompter can take your average Joe who has never been in front of a camera and make him look like a news anchor. It cuts down production time and editing, delivers a more professional look and depending on the production, can save more money than it costs.
So your boss wants you to be on camera for a corporate video. Here are some tips on how you can deliver an amazing performance.
Although you will have a teleprompter to help you, it is REALLY important that you know the rhythm and cadence of your script extremely well before the camera rolls. A good delivery on camera has a natural rhythm and feel to it. It will take some practice to ensure that things will look and sound great.
Rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal....
Prompters negate the need to memorize, but you have to be comfortable with the content.
When you get your final script, read it through. In your head it has to sound like a conversation rather than like the reading of a text book. Some subtle changes to sentence structure or maybe the odd word change may help your "verbal" delivery a lot. I suggest you read the script out loud a dozen times or so.This will give you a good feel for the content. Reading aloud may also help remove any stiffness in your delivery. Then, when you are more relaxed, it will allow for some subtle reactions in your face and eyes that will help sell the spontaneity of the content. With practice you will feel much more confident. If the piece is a dialogue between or amongst other on camera people then make sure you rehearse out loud with your fellow actors.
A little animation will go a long way. You have to believe your part. Any changes in verbiage that make you more comfortable are fine as long as the meaning of your point is not changed. Remember, any script changes need to be given to the Prompter Operator the day before the shoot so they can be formatted in the prompter computer. Don't fret if there are last minute changes. If the need arises, changes can be made on the fly while shooting.
As you rehearse, engage your body language and your hands. Well timed movement, smiles, or nods to the camera can pay huge dividends on impact and professionalism. If you are uncomfortable with this then just concentrate on the rhythm and elocution of your read. After all, the message is the important thing.
On the day of the shoot I generally coach teleprompter readers with these next tips. Try to use them when you rehearse. They may be useful to you if the director doesn't have the time to help.
1 - BREATHE..... People tend to get a little nervous when they get in front of a camera and try to squeeze as much out as they can with a single breath. You need to be cognizant of your breathing and breathing points that should occur in your script
2 - Relax! I run a very relaxed set. We laugh a lot. Nerves need not be an issue. You have to realize that you are not professional actors, mistakes will be made and really, this is NOT a problem. The way the shoot is normally done allows for editing and in most cases, you need only worry about one paragraph at a time. Believe me, professional actors need many takes. Don't worry about it and don't take everything too seriously. A teleprompter will make you look and sound fantastic. You'll see.
3 - PAUSE - Use the natural sentence structure; phrases, commas and periods as an opportunity to pause for effect. These also make great breathing points. While formatting for the Prompter we can insert spaces or special notes to signal a pause for you. These can be a great aid to your delivery.
4 - SLOW DOWN - Our everyday speaking tends to be very fast and words get slurred together so that a sentence sounds like one word. Slowing down will seem foreign to you at first, especially as you read aloud, but believe me it will look and sound GREAT on camera. Diction, enunciation, breathing at the right time, pausing for effect and modest hand movement and body language will have you selling your part extremely well. With some rehearsal time and everybody's friend, the teleprompter, you will breeze through the shoot.
Usually there will be a minimum of people on set for the shoot. A cameraman, prompter person, maybe a script assistant and yourselves. There will be some lighting and production equipment and personnel. You may be asked to wear a wireless microphone or sound may be captured with a boom microphone. Your wardrobe will probably be discussed in advance and should consist of neutral colours. Although red ties or scarves can be allowed stay away from red jackets if possible. Also avoid busy patterns and fine lines as they can drive a camera crazy. In the HD world these are less of an issue than they were but you should still keep them in mind. I usually recommend you bring a second outfit, just in case. Of course if the shoot is taking place in front of a green screen then you cannot wear any shades of green at all.
So that is it. These tips are simple, easy to practice and worth following. While they don't guarantee an Oscar performance they will certainly help you look and feel great on camera.
Relax and have some fun.
See you in the movies.
Mike
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Mike Reid can be heard approximately once a month on the Dave Fisher Show, weekends on CJAD 800 in Montreal. Mike and Dave talk about technology and new directions during these ten minute spots.
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