We don’t really recommend filming anything off-the-cuff, but we’re also not a fan of using a script!
The reason for being anti-script is that, unless you’re a professional actor, scripting something and then performing it is really, really hard.
It’s unlikely that you’ll look natural, and by trying to learn something off by heart you’ll probably make things much harder for yourself in the process. So unless you have a professional theatre background, step away from the scripts!
Equally, filming totally off-the-cuff means you’re likely to miss the essential elements and the main messages that need the video to concentrate on.
To find that perfect middle-ground, we’d suggest reverse engineering a few talking points for yourself, by taking your key messages and turning them into questions. Then you can simply answer the questions as you would if someone asked them to you off-camera.
This way, you avoid a robotic script, but there’s still some guidance on the overall direction and content of your video.
This will help you stick to the topic and make sure you don’t faff around or go off track. This approach also allows you to be a bit more fluid with how you talk, keeping things natural and engaging for your audience.
Feeling nervous that you won’t remember what to say? You can have the questions you’re answering taped underneath the camera, or get someone to ask you them and then edit the clips together. Easy!
Still feeling a little apprehensive? Here’s what some of our clients say about the reality of being on camera.
