Several people have asked the question about how to make a video in a single run through.
So I thought I’d share my own process.
In my opinion this technique allows me to make sure I get out exactly what I want to say and makes it easy for editing.
The Bullet Point Method Wasn’t Focused
Originally I used just bullet points and taped a piece of paper to the tripod that I could look at so I would make sure I hit the important points.
This is an OK technique and it comes across as very natural but for me it was causing the video to drag. With just bullet points there was a lot of pauses to think about what I wanted to say and sometimes I would miss a point I wanted to include.
I even noticed that I would look around a lot more while trying to collect my thoughts. To me this came across as less professional.
How About The Teleprompter Was Overwhelming
Then of course I tried the teleprompter.
I know the right teleprompters allow you to read your script as it’s going by. And with the special glass it’s right in front of the camera lens so your eye contact is fixed. But what I found was that even though I knew my script since I wrote it and read through it several times, it still slightly came across as reading.
It’s Obvious
I see videos all the time from agents and other people where it’s crystal clear that they’re using a teleprompter. I can tell because you can feel them mentally processing the reading as it comes up on the teleprompter. Others you can see minor eye shifting back and forth across the screen. Maybe I’m hyper critical and I’m noticing these things where most wouldn’t but we all want the best option for ourselves so I pay attention to this stuff.
Too Much Going On
One other factor with teleprompters is speed control. My first teleprompter was on a laptop with the reflective screen. But the only way I could control the speed was with the keyboard. So if the text was scrolling by and I got way behind or ahead, I would have to break my scene and reach forward and hit the appropriate speed adjustment keys. Then when I did change speed it didn’t match the previously recorded version of the video and even sometimes seemed rushed or unnatural. So I got a foot pedal. $275. It helped but I guess I’m just not the multitasker kind of person but concentrating on reading, using a foot pedal and trying to interject the right emphasis and emotion at the right times was just too overwhelming. For me personally it was like trying to juggle jello. You know the kind that’s been sitting out for a little while. LOL. But look, if you’re the teleprompter boss, keep using the teleprompter. It just didn’t work for me the way I wanted it to.
The Audio Prompter Was Just Right
So I started using an in ear prompter. I’ll include the links to a couple that I have at the end of this article.
First Write The Script
So here’s the process. First I write the script exactly the way I want it to come out on screen. I’ll read it to myself out loud several times just to make sure it’s exactly the way I want it. Reading it out loud to yourself is important so when you’re using the audio prompter you’re already completely familiar with the script. No you don’t have to memorize it.
Next, once I’ve made any changes and completed my edits, I’ll record myself reading the script. Not on video. Just on audio. While doing this I’m able to add any emphasis or emotion into the script as I deem appropriate and at the speed I prefer. Recording the script exactly the way you want it with your heartfelt plea is important because this is how it will come out on video. It’s also helpful to verbally throw in a little countdown like 3,2,1 at the beginning so when you start your video you know when to start.
Then Record On Audio Only
On my laptop I use a free program called Audacity to record and edit audio. You can probably do it on your phone too using an audio editing app. I will read straight through the script without stopping. I’ll hit record and read the script directly from my laptop screen. I know it’s kind of like using a teleprompter to do an audio recording but trust me it translates different when you record your video.
As I’m recording, if I make any mistakes I do not stop recording, I just back myself up a few lines from where I stumbled and start again from there. Sometimes I realize something isn’t right and I have to go back and edit the script but usually I don’t. Usually I just run straight through. It is very important to read the script the way you want it to come out on the video. Add emotion, emphasis, and different inflections. This will translate to the video.
After I’ve gotten through recording the audio, I’ll go back and edit out any mistakes. I’ll take out any long pauses and any parts where I had to back up and redo a section to get it right. Once I’m done editing, I’ll listen to the recording a couple of times just to remind myself where the inflections and special emphasis points are. If all is well, I export it from Audacity as an mp3 and I send it to my phone. There’s a couple ways I do this. Email the mp3 to yourself so you can open it on your phone. Upload it to Google drive or other online storage and just open it on your phone. Now you’re all set to do your video.
Finally Look Like A Pro
Pick your spot to record, get your video recording equipment ready and insert your hidden ear piece. It’s important that you only put the ear piece in just one ear(for most of you). I’ll explain later. Check to make sure you’re hearing the audio ok. The volume will become a very important adjustment. Don’t make it too loud but make it just loud enough so you can hear it over your own voice talking. If you hear it just fine, press record on your video camera, press play for the mp3 on your phone and wait for the audio countdown you recorded earlier. Take a breath. Don’t forget to breathe. Now just repeat word for word exactly what you hear including emphasis, emotion, and inflections.
If you mess up on a part, DO NOT stop recording. Just pull the phone out of your pocket, back it up 20 or 30 seconds and restart from there. When you do one single video it makes it a whole lot easier to edit out the mistakes instead of trying to piece together several clips.
When you’re done, now it’s editing time. Remove any mistakes.
A Few Important Notes
A couple key points about using an audio prompter.
1. Only put the earpiece in just one ear. You still have to hear your own voice or you’ll lose control of the words as you speak.
2. You’ll have to play around with volume because if it’s too loud, you won’t be able to hear yourself speak and you’ll be surprised when you play the video back and the words you are speaking sounds like gibberish. It’s pretty funny. Just put the volume loud enough so you can hear everything clearly but not too loud.
Here’s The One’s I Use
About the ear prompters.
First one is a simple Bluetooth in ear headset. The one I use is pretty well hidden but not perfectly but I really don’t care. I’m not typically turning my head in a way that gives them a long enough look at my ear anyway. Also, I’ll grab some of my wife’s nail polish and coat the ear piece with a color that most closely resembles my skin tone. It almost makes it invisible. Besides, if the content you’re providing is valuable, no one will care if they catch a 1/2 of a second flash of your ear prompter. This is what I use mostly. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/3i99uY4
The next one is truly a hidden in ear prompter. You can’t see it at all. But it’s not Bluetooth. It’s done with a wire loop that’s hung around your neck and transmits a radio signal to the ear piece. It also has to be physically plugged into your phone. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/3JbPv77
Check them out and use the one that works for you.
I know this sounds a bit daunting but if you’re struggling with the bullet point method or using a teleprompter, then you’re probably going to love this method. The longest hardest part of this entire process is writing the script. But like anything, after you do it a few times, it’s no big deal and you’ll be way more pleased with your videos.
