Tips for presenting to camera

The resource below provides tips for presenting your course content to camera.

Before you begin, have your script prepared and decide on a format.

Presentation

• Scripts: Print out or read off your screen and practice it out loud. Delivering it out loud always sounds different to how you write it. Make necessary adjustments until you’re happy with how it sounds.
• Posture: Nice and straight! No slouching. After a while your shoulders can start to hunch. Take a breath, stretch, and keep comfortable during the process. Chin up. Face Relaxed.
• Rhythm, Pitch and Projection: Find a comfortable level tone and rhythm in your voice and practice with your script.
• Expression: Facial expression should match the style of your delivery and the content.
• Use your hands: Positive gestures can be powerful & useful when emphasizing a point.
• Delivering to camera: Eye contact with the lens – no eyes darting unless intentional.
• Wardrobe: No stripes. If you’re doing green screen – don’t wear green! Keep your colours simple and check with your producer beforehand if anything extra is needed.

Your Voice

• Breathe: Take some breaths in and out for 30-60 seconds to warm up. This helps to open up your lungs.
• Tone and Conversation: Slightly enhance your natural delivery with a little more energy. Create a flow with your delivery that feels natural and purposeful.
• Rate of Speech: Be mindful of the speed, pace and articulation of your delivery.
• The Flat Tyre Effect: After speaking for a while your voice can begin to flatten and shoulders can hunch. Remember to maintain your breathing, level of projection and interest in the subject matter. Otherwise – the flat tyre effect!
• Reset: Stretch, walk around and breathe in between videos.

Your Brand & Style

• Amplify yourself. It’s about finding the way that makes your work engaging. Your style, your brand.
• Be interested in the material, then your audience will be too. If you are bored – your audience will be too.
• It’s a balance of becoming comfortable with yourself and engaging in the material for your audience.

The 20% rule

• First impressions matter: It’s you presenting yourself and your knowledge of the subject matter.
• Show your own passion or interest for the material – even if you’ve been teaching it for a long time.
• The 20% rule is 20% more energy than your usual conversational level of speech. Deliver the material with a slightly more energised and amplified version of your conversational speech level.

Exercise:

• Try practising the script in front of a mirror. Pretend you’re having a conversation with the material. Engage with the material and hold steady eye contact.

More information:

University staff are welcome to contact LDTI Learning Media for help with recording videos for teaching and learning content.