I suck at standing in front of a camera...

Not really.. hire a ghost actor perhaps?
But really, why do you think you "suck"? - Is there a specific reason? ..I mean, do people tell you look butt-ugly and can't watch your videos because of that or do you just feel uncomfortable?

hey dude,

now i've only just started personally, but you've really just got to relax, have a good idea of what you want to say, and if you muck up just start again and don't worry about it!

Good luck Shlomi

One of my ex boss (i was a radio dj) used to told me: "don't get too upset about mistakes when you're live - only we, that work in this segment, know it was a mistake."

I'm also too fat & ugly to be on camera...

Use camtasia and do screen capture of software, then you only need to do the voice over.

Perhaps try looking off to the right or left of the camera--interview style. Personally, I'd get a little nervous talking directly to a camera. Other tips: have a script, but memorize it, as opposed to reading it, so it comes out more naturally. And put attention to lighting. Open up all windows, turn an all lights--the more light, the better quality the video comes out. Speak loudly, and slightly slower than normal. I've always thought you can always cut out/edit things out in post production so be fearless! Good luck.

yeah usually weird looking people or odd people will attract more attention. Sort of like a wtf this guy looks weird interest.

I actually think that this is benefit for you! People do not want to see some "slick" person talking to them and trying to sell them something. People appreciate someone that is not polished IMHO.

I agree. I think there are a huge section of people that will appreciate your non-professional approach. Some people will actually respond better to you.

Niksanyl

Unless you look like you've just been dug up and hit with the shovel, or your speech is totally one hundred percent incomprehensible, most people watching will be more bothered about their own problems and how you and your product can solve one of them for them.

Go for it - you'll do great

I sometimes use a teleprompter - I haven't in awhile because
I am getting better at on-the-spot presentation.

I edit out most of the stupid stuff I say. In this way I manage
to be perceived as not-an-idiot.

Don't wear sunglasses and read off your computer screen. Lame.
Don't read off your computer screen without a scrolling tele-promoter -
you will look shifty-eyed and weird.

Do get a decent microphone - it will make you sound so much
better and more natural. On-camera mics generally suck.

Do try to enunciate your words clearly, you will actually smile
more if you do this and be perceived as a clear and friendly
communicator.

Don't take yourself too seriously. A lot of people do and they
just come off as wooden.

Speak in a monotone if you can manage it. That doesn't
mean unexpressively, just try to minimize pitch changes
unless it is for a purpose.

Get used to watching videos of yourself speaking. In this way
you can observe rough-edged habits you have and gradually
work on getting better.

Work yourself into a "peak state" when shooting video. This
can be hard to do if you have a headache from messing around
with video equipment for 2 hours. Come to the camera feeling
refreshed and animated.

Shave.

Dress-up. You'll feel more confident if you do and people will
perceive you well if you do it too. I do not always dress-up
myself but it is a good habit... and I am the last guy you
would expect to enjoy putting on a coat and tie.

For one, take a walk - listen to music that pumps you up or just start talking in front of that camera... you need to just do it. If you mess up, keep recording and edit later. When I did my first video, it took me many many tries to get it decent.

The social net working group toast masters can really help you out with that. If you join their organization its like 40 bucks for a year. And you give speeches. They give you lots of small tips. EI don't say uh umm err but you know. They also time you. Give you topics that help you improve your speaking. ETC... I have found it very helpful. Just a thought.

Speaking in a monotone is not the same as being dull. Watch
TV newscasters - they speak in a carefully controlled monotone -
it creates the impression of authority and actually is said to
hypnotize people. If you allow your voice to go up and down
you will sound sing-songy, or worse, girlish. Pitch-changes
tend to break reverie when a listener is at his or her most
receptive.

Many movie stars speak in a monotone. All of Martin Luther
King's riveting speaches were delivered in a strict monotone.
Monotonic speech can be dull, but it can be riveting as well.

hey Shlomi,
can I ask what the topic is??

You could try sitting in front of the camera. I found for a few of my friends they are less animated and don't do "nervous" things if they arent standing, just sitting there like they are talking with me and having a convo. I myself prefer to stand and draw pictures and be slightly goofy at times, but that's my personality.

Hey, I thought you were supposed to pretend the audience was naked?

Do it more often and you won't suck.

Here is the simplest thing that you can do.

This is what I was taught when I went through acting school.

Focus on the story.

That is it.

Let everything else go.

By focusing on the story that you are telling this pulls you out of your head and makes you focus on the person that you are talking to.

And yes this works even if there is no one else there.

And by in your own head I mean all caught up in your own thinking, and worrying, about how you look or sound or what people might think of you, etc.

So, figure out what is the story behind what you are saying and focus on that.

Another thing is when you focus on the story you will begin to feel the emotions of that story and your voice will follow. I know that might sound weird but it just means that your emotions affect your voice.

Anyway, if you want more help them PM me and I can give you more tips and help you out even more.


Thanks

Shane_K

Not the same thing, but a good contribution. Mono-tone describes
pitch, not pronunciation, inflection, or timbre of the voice. Those
are different qualities: timbre could be nasal, scratchy, throaty,
hoarse. inflection is often combined with pitch change in practical
speach but can be isolated if you make the effort - thus a question
can be posed without raising the pitch at the end of the sentence.

It is not always easy for people who don't do music to distiguish
pitch variations or even tell monotonic speach from multi-tonal
speech. When I started studying some of the world's finest speakers
I noticed how evenly modulated their vocal tone was, seldom varying
more than a musical half-step, yet varying in volume, inflection
and timbre. Not all great speakers use monotonic patterns but
many do.

Obviously my opinion differs from some others - in any case it's
a good idea to record yourself and learn to hear and distinguish
when you sound most solid and credible. In most cases it will
be when you are speaking with even tonal modulation. Test it
at see - learning to speak expressively while keeping your pitch
constant will do a lot for your speaking abilities.

Hey man,
Just do it. No one says you have to be a Hollywood actor. Just be yourself.
Someone once said,
You don't have to get it right, you just have to get it going.
So, Just do it.

It took me about a year to get enough courage to make a video to post on You Tube and my site. I realized using videos was an essential element in gaining more traffic to my site, so one day, I got all dolled up and just did it.

I don't have a fancy video camera. I took the videos with a web cam. Yes, it took a few tries before I could run through an entire video without mumbling my words, but the important thing is... I did it.

So, my suggestion to you is to forget all the mechanics. You'll get better with time.

Write a script. The script should include an intro, a few bullets, and a conclusion. Read the script out loud, in front of a mirror, at least 3 times. Then... set up shop and go for it.

i guess, it cant be that bad, if you are just going to stand as to acting. I am also, as they say, not cameragenic. I dont look good in front of the cam. I look so dark, and too thin. maybe u could hire someone else to do it for you.. im sure there are a lot of people who would want to be in front of the cam.:-)

If you don't want to stand in front of a camera, why don't you do a camtasia video of screenshots or something like that?

I just read that Robin Williams averages 30 takes per scene before both he and the director are happy, so don't be too hard on yourself if you don't nail it right away

Hi,

Don't think that you suck in front of the cam. 'coz if you do, you really will. Have confidence in yourself. Tell yourself, you are the greatest actor of your film, and everything will come into place.

Good luck on your video. ^_^

I would say... script everything and practice.

I used to be a hotline agent and you get way stressed when you're about to make your first call, but it goes away with practice. just do it and you'll be fine.

[Nike slogan used unintentionally ]

Sebastian