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If the thought of being in front of a camera makes you want to run and hide, you’re definitely not alone. Heart racing, palms sweaty, and the camera isn’t even rolling yet? I get it. Filming anxiety is incredibly common, and it affects everyone from first-time presenters to seasoned presenters and professionals.
After twenty years of working with CEOs, marketers, and corporate leaders on major presentations, training videos, and product demos, we’ve seen just about every form of on-camera nervousness imaginable. The good news? Filming anxiety isn't going to hold you back.
I’m going to share five simple, powerful and actionable tips to help you look and feel confident on camera - even if you’re feeling a bit wobbly. These tips have worked for countless professionals, and they’re going to work for you too.
Watch this video for a quick preview before you start reading...
1. Stop Worrying About Perfection
Here’s the first thing you need to know - no one expects perfection. Whether you’re delivering a key message or filming a product demo, remember that it’s okay if you don’t nail it in one take. The fact is, no one is expecting you to. That includes the director, the camera operator, and even your colleagues.
The key to any successful production is building time into the schedule for you to get comfortable. You’re on camera because you have valuable expertise to share, and people trust you to convey it, and even the most experienced on-camera talent needs time to find their rhythm. I’ve worked with everyone from high-level executives to actors, and even they would be the first to tell you that even on a god day, they'll fumble their first few takes.
So, take a breath, relax, and trust that all you need to do is get your message across.
2. Take Control of Your Space
It can feel overwhelming when the day finally arrives and the film crew are now in the building. Suddenly, your everyday working space is full of lights, cameras, tripods, and a busy team moving around. But here’s the thing: you are as important to the process as they are.
This is a collaboration. If you need a moment to gather your thoughts, review your notes, or simply catch your breath - ask for it. No one will rush you. It’s in everyone’s best interest to give you the time and space that you need to deliver your best, most comfortable performance. Try to remember that this is your space too, and feeling comfortable is essential for a successful shoot.
3. Trust the Crew’s Feedback
When the film crew tells you, “That was great,” believe them! It’s easy to doubt yourself, thinking you flubbed a line or didn’t look in the right direction. But trust me, the crew knows when they’ve got the shot. They can't possibly move on to the next shot on the schedule until they have what they need - so when they tell you they have it, trust that they're not just trying to make you feel better.
As humans, we tend to be our own worst critics. If the crew says, “cut,” - you're all done, so it’s time to relax, smile, and move forward. Don’t dwell on perceived mistakes. Filming is a team effort, and the crew is on your side. They want you to succeed just as much as you do. So trust their feedback and trust yourself.
4. What If It All Goes Wrong?
Let’s face that big fear head-on: what if you get on camera and things really do go wrong? You’re nervous, you fumble your words, or you just can’t seem to get it together.
Here’s the reality - you’re not alone, and it’s not a disaster by any stretch. As an experienced production company, True Lies Ltd has seen it all. There’s nothing at all to panic about, because being the clever bunch of professionals we are, we have a toolkit full of tricks and techniques to ensure the final product looks as polished and professional as possible.
I even remember a shoot with a client who thought they would never get it right - even after 15 takes! But with careful editing and a little bit of movie magic, we brought together an incredible final video, and even they were amazed at how polished it all looked. So remember, you're in safe hands - we’re here to make you look good, and we’ve got the experience to back it up.
5. Don’t Feel Like Watching the Final Video? You Don’t Have To!
Maybe you wouldn't expect to hear this from a director - but if watching yourself feels too torturous, you don’t have to watch the final video. Even Meryl Streep avoids her own films! If seeing yourself on screen isn’t your thing, you can let me know, and we'll even create a version of the video without your parts...
But I promise - once your video is finished and people start complimenting your performance, you’ll be so proud of the result you'll even consider appearing on-camera when the next opportunity comes up. You may even find yourself sharing the video with friends and family, realising you had nothing to worry about after all.
Conclusion
Filming anxiety is incredibly common, but it doesn’t have to derail your on-camera performance. By following these tips, you have the power and the ability to look and feel confident for your B2B video marketing plans, no matter how nervous you think you might be.
But if you’re currently considering a high-quality production for your business, brand or organisation and its films, demos, or live presentations, get in touch with us here at TrueLiesLtd.com. We’ve spent nearly two decades helping businesses shine on camera, and we’d love to help yours too.
Ready to conquer that filming anxiety? Get in touch today!
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