> Ensure the camera operator stays quiet and only the Video Director does the talking. Only one person talks. It's easier, and builds confidence in the VIP who may actually be quite nervous under their calm exterior.
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> No spectators. This is private. So if the VIP blunders on lines, then it doesn't matter as it's private not public.
> Shoot standing up for improved voice projection
> If you're shooting head and shoulders, then encourage them to accentuate their head movements, nodding or inclining their heads to accompany each point they make. Get them to say it with their heads.
> Encourage them to avoid moving hands, unless you're doing wide enough shots to include hands. Even then keep hands within a prescribed range, otherwise the hand pops in and out of shot.
> Start the session at a slower rate, with slower speech, while they get used to it. They will probably want to change the training script on the way to suit their natural manner. This is fine with teleprompt.
> Build up to faster takes. End on a Loony Take where they exaggerate. This will pay-off.
> Expect to do 5 takes. Often the loony take is the best one.
> Use a light. The camera shutter can open more, with improved depth of field. And the subject will look better too.
If a teleprompt is not available, eg, when outdoors, then shoot in the following way:
> The VIP will get the memorised lines wrong or say them differently every time. Expect this.
> Start the shoot head and shoulders wider
> Let them speak to camera until they forget, swallow, splutter, or make an inappropriate gesture
> Reset the camera lens to closer, then get them to continue from the point they last made, but closer.
> When they next forget, reset the focus to wider, then continue from the last point, with a wider view.
> Carry on like this, resetting from wider to closer each time they get it wrong. Wide-close-wide-close and so on.
The video editor will be able to cut from wide to close, wide to close, editing out the bad takes or the forgetting-points.
The finished edit will look smooth, like it was always intended to be that way.
You can further support this with overdub shots of the VIP to hide the joins in the edit. For example, VIP meeting colleagues, VIP walking business-like through a smart reception area, VIP conferring with a manager, shirtsleeves, again in reception.
One question that is always asked is "How can I help the VIP come across in a relaxed and engaging way?"
The most obvious answer is to be professional in your approach, comfortable and easy in the way you handle the equipment, and keep the dialogue to only Director & VIP, rather than a general free for all conversation.
After each take, let the VIP view themselves in the camera viewfinder or portable monitor with headphones on.
Say something good about their delivery when they've finished doing this.
You build confidence in each other with this approach, and the takes get better.
VIP background sets
These days it's better to shoot against a green screen, and dub in a suitable background during post production.
Gone are the days of the "MD and potted plant".
If you can't shoot green screen, then a busy reception area is often better, as it looks alive.
If reception is poor looking, then find a meaningful area onsite that will be recognised. For example VIP by a safety board in a health & safety video, or by a clearly smartly signed entrance.
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