Talking in front of a camera can be as stressful as it is complex. In front of the lens, some people feel so much pressure that they seem to forget basic social skills to the point that they notice how nothing they do is spontaneous; they seem to have to take “manual” control over each and every movement of their body, without being able to reach everything.

In this article we will see several tips on how to speak in front of a camera , dealing with both the aspects related to nerves and those related to communicating better.

How do you talk in front of a camera?

Our ability to adapt to the demands of the environment does not depend only on what we have mastered in the past, nor on what we know in a theoretical, intellectual way. An example of this is that, for example, someone who in most cases is very confident and extraverted can block himself or herself completely on a stage or in front of a camera.

In other words, our ability to reach our goals effectively depends both on us and on the context in which we find ourselves. Something as simple as having a person observe us can completely transform the way we act. And the same thing happens in the world of audiovisual media with recordings using a camera , regardless of whether the content generated is for television, cinema or the Internet.

So, if you’ve never faced an experience based on speaking in front of a camera, you may well have some problems. Fortunately, these are easy to polish up with a little practice and some patience. Here are some guidelines on how to do it. Apply them over several sessions to get results.

1. Performs vocalization exercises

In front of a camera it is very important to vocalize because the people who are going to see you will not be able to ask you to repeat things and, on the other hand, it is possible that your nerves contribute to you not doing it much , either because of muscle control problems or because of dry mouth.

To do this, stand in front of a mirror and train your vocalization, slightly exaggerating your mouth movements to get used to that increased mobility. After the first training sessions. Record yourself doing this, to get used to the new context.

2. Warm muscles

To speak in front of a camera you have to uninhibit yourself a little . To do this, warm up by relaxing all the muscles from the trunk upwards while making small jumps and making random sounds without vocalizing or saying specific words.

3. Ensure good comfort conditions

When you speak in front of the camera, make sure that you meet certain minimum comfort conditions: that it is neither hot nor cold, that you are not blinded by any sunlight or artificial light, and that you have a bottle of water handy in case your mouth gets dry. This will have a positive impact on the way you communicate and make yourself understood , as you will not feel vulnerable for totally avoidable reasons.

4. Remember the sequence of ideas you are going to communicate

It is not always necessary to memorize a script literally. In these cases, pay attention to memorize only the basic ideas that will structure your speech. In this way, you will be less likely to get stuck on the question of which word to use, since everything will be more spontaneous and fluid .

5. Make a basic script

Prepare a small note on a sheet of paper containing the main points you want to deal with, so that with a simple glance of a few seconds you can refresh your memory and move on. This script should look more like an outline than a series of developed paragraphs.

6. Don’t obsess about the target

Being too careful to look at the lens is counterproductive, because it distracts you from other more basic tasks when you’re talking in front of a camera. Simply try to keep your gaze on the area in the middle of which is the part you should be looking at .

7. Imagine your audience

The degree of uncertainty that can be experienced when talking to an inanimate object often makes us more likely to doubt what to do and how to proceed with our speech. To avoid this, imagine the people who are or will be watching you. As a matter of common sense, you’ll do this in a realistic way, realistic to what is likely to happen or will happen when the video is broadcast. This way you will have constant feedback that will make it easier for you to know what tone to use, what rhythm to imprint on your words, etc.

8. Take a prosody class

This is a special recommendation for those people who will be speaking in front of a camera on a regular basis. Whether it’s making Youtube videos or any other project lasting several days , weeks or months, it’s good to get familiar with this type of activity and adopt a style of speaking that is appropriate for you and in which you can move easily.