Hey, there, and welcome to my second non-techie video tip podcast.
My name is Ozzy Eyre and I’m your non-techie guide to the wonderful world of video creation. Before we get onto today’s tip, if you were listening to the first episode, you’ll know that, for these first few episodes, I’m going to be trying on different tunes so we can decide together which is going to be the theme music to the show. So, here we go with today’s offering!
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So, what did you think? After we’ve heard all the tunes, I’m going to be asking you to let me know which you prefer. The most popular will then be adopted for all future episodes – or, at least, until you or I want a change!
OK, let’s get started with today’s tip and it’s something a lot of folks who teach video-making are reluctant to talk about – especially to students who are just starting out in their video making.
And here it is… sometimes, getting in front of the camera can feel uncomfortable. In fact, I’m going to put it a little stronger than that. For most people and for a lot of the time, getting in front of the camera is uncomfortable.
The problem with that is, if you don’t address it, it can actually stop you making your videos – which is crazy! You clearly want to make videos, otherwise you wouldn’t be listening to your podcast.
So, what can you do about it? How can you get past this feeling of being uncomfortable?
Well, I don’t have a magic wand or a pill to give you that will make you feel incredibly confident, but allow me to let you in on the secret I discovered for myself – something that works for me an which helps me get past that reluctance to start filming.
And it’s nothing more than a thought – an idea. You see, back in the old days, before we had all this wonderful digital technology – before even the invention of video tape – filming was all done on, well… film. Film could only be used once, and was expensive to buy and to process. So you needed to get it right – if you didn’t it was costing money – and that added to the pressure, which I’m sure stoked up the feelings of discomfort and reluctance to get on camera.
I’m not saying that was the only reason folks felt uncomfortable but it wouldn’t have helped. Now, you may have been born after the days of film but I believe this feeling of being uncomfortable on camera is something we learn from those around us at a relatively early age, so we probably first pick it up from our parents.
So, where am I going with this? Well, we now live in a digital age, where most of us carry with us every day the tool we need to make great video – our smartphone. And how expensive is it to shoot a video on our phone? I know, it’s a ridiculous question! Apart from our time it’s pretty much free.
So – we’ve got rid of the cost pressure, big deal! You still feel uncomfortable.
But think about it a little more. Because it doesn’t cost anything, it means if you’re not happy with your video, you can just shoot it again… and again… and again until you are happy with it. And, if you feel you just can’t get it right, no problem. Nobody ever has to see it other than you – so take the pressure off yourself – just record your video knowing that no-one gets to see what you produce until you’re happy enough to let it out into the world.
Once you realise that, several things happen.
First, you’re less reluctant to get started.
Second, because the pressure is off, it will take you fewer attempts to create a video you’re happy with
Third, if you’re making videos you’re happy with, you’re much more likely to make more videos
And fourth, the more videos you make, the better you’ll become
In the next episode, we’re going to move things on a little but, remember, we’re keeping this non-techie. In the meantime, here’s a reminder of today’s music and there’ll be a differnt track next time out.
Until then, I’ve been Ozzy Eyre, your non-techie guide to the wonderful world of video creation – take care and make some video!
