Dealing with Talking Head VIPs in Training Videos

Talking Heads deserve a whole section on their own, as the success of the video production can hinge on how well the talking head(s) perform(s).

Talking heads used in training videos can include:

> CEOs and Managing Directors

> Other Directors

> VIPs

> Managers involved with the training or production process

They are used in a number of ways:

> To introduce a training topic they have a personal interest in.

> To endorse a training topic and show support from the top.

> As part of a series of talking heads discussing and developing a training topic.

Their function in the training video should be a genuine function that propels the story forward, and helps the training message evolve. It isn’t simply an honorific for the project’s paymaster.

Please see the section Talking Head Script Tips for more info on this.

Arranging the video shoot with a VIP

> VIPs are busy people. Your training video production is a small item on their agenda. So don’t expect too much from them.

> Expect them to be agreeable to the shoot, but difficult when it comes to picking a time, date & location. 

> Never finalise video shoot dates until the VIP shoot dates are agreed.

> Always arrange to use teleprompt. Expecting busy people to memorise lines will result in embarrassment all round when they fail to get it right. You can easily end up doing endless exasperated takes if you rely on the talking head to memorise lines and then perform like a pro.

> When on set with a VIP