The thick rays from the production lights beam down on my forehead, melting the funky brown dust they call “makeup” off of my face like cheesy milk. The red light turns on and my body turns to stone.
“Hi, my name is Daniel and I’m a blah, blah, blah.”
As a filmmaker, my inability to function on camera has always been a comedic irony to the casual onlooker. But to me, it’s a bit painful. How is it that I, an aspiring (distinguished man voice) “composer of moving images” can’t handle a few seconds on camera without forgetting my lines, freezing up and breaking down? Rosemary Reed told me that the key to the 30-Second Elevator Speech about Double R was to relax and “act natural.” So I did. And about ten takes later, my “natural” non-photogenic nature was recorded perfectly in high-definition.
It hurt even more that Bryan and Alex completed perfect takes in less than three tries. Needless to say, I felt a little ashamed. And for a good part of that day, I carried that ill confidence around like a prosumer camera with no shoulder rig.
But then I began to think, “why?” I already knew that # 1, conducting yourself well on camera is an incredibly hard task meant only for the select few and that # 2, my true passion has always been behind the scenes, in writing and directing. Don’t get down! Realize that everybody has their own special niche, not only in this business but also in the world in general.Bryan is the energetic TV personality. Alex is the cool, calm, confident reporter. And me, I’m the guy running things behind the camera.
Rosemary’s words at the end of the day encouraged me to reevaluate my experience more. The speech was important, no matter how good or bad it was, because it put me in the shoes of people in that position. It gave me perspective. And for me, perspective is golden. Because before one can lead, he or she must first learn to empathize.
So be cool and empathize. Now it’s time to prepare for part two this week: 30-Second Elevator Speech about Myself… (clears throat)
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Rosemary Reed
Since 1987 Rosemary Reed has built Double R into a creative, value-added communications and television/video production firm. Double R serves satisfied clients ranging from major national agencies and Fortune 500 companies to government, local arts and non-profit organizations. Reed began her media career as a radio station news director, establishing her reputation in Washington, DC at the FOX network as the executive producer of “Panorama” with Maury Povich. To this day, the program still stands as one of the nation’s longest running, live, daily talk shows. She also produced the first weekend news hour for WTTG-TV (Metromedia) in DC. Reed’s career as a reporter, anchor and special projects television producer/director allowed her to cover all major regions of the country, including producing and broadcasting crisis situations in Israel and El Salvador. Reed has taken her company international, on assignment in Cambodia, Russia, Mexico and Belgium. Reed’s award-winning work has received recognition and awards too numerous to mention. Come to the Double R office to see our awards showcase! Reed’s media experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, an academic background in theatre and speech, plus teaching experience on the high school and college levels provide Reed with exceptional qualifications for media training. Satisfied clients include CEOs, nationally recognized authors, ambassadors for the US Department of State and other government agency personnel.
Rosemary Reed
Since 1987 Rosemary Reed has built Double R into a creative, value-added communications and television/video production firm. Double R serves satisfied clients ranging from major national agencies and Fortune 500 companies to government, local arts and non-profit organizations. Reed began her media career as a radio station news director, establishing her reputation in Washington, DC at the FOX network as the executive producer of “Panorama” with Maury Povich. To this day, the program still stands as one of the nation’s longest running, live, daily talk shows. She also produced the first weekend news hour for WTTG-TV (Metromedia) in DC. Reed’s career as a reporter, anchor and special projects television producer/director allowed her to cover all major regions of the country, including producing and broadcasting crisis situations in Israel and El Salvador. Reed has taken her company international, on assignment in Cambodia, Russia, Mexico and Belgium. Reed’s award-winning work has received recognition and awards too numerous to mention. Come to the Double R office to see our awards showcase! Reed’s media experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, an academic background in theatre and speech, plus teaching experience on the high school and college levels provide Reed with exceptional qualifications for media training. Satisfied clients include CEOs, nationally recognized authors, ambassadors for the US Department of State and other government agency personnel.
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