Hate Recording Yourself?
You’re going live in 3…2….1….action!
Do you take a massive gulp and start freaking out when you know the record button is about to go on?
I used to.
Yes, even though I have produced over 12,500 hours of live radio at the BBC over the years, I still get that feeling of “oh s**t …don’t **** up” as soon as the red light goes on.
When your ZOOM, Teams or Webex meetings are being recorded, do you also think?
“Oh no, pressure…..I’d better watch what I say” ?
Worst case scenario, you feel stifled and stop talking, because you suddenly second guess yourself and worry your footage will be OUT THERE for people to view (& judge) FOREVER!
Well, don’t worry you are not alone. Most of my clients freak out when they get the 3….2….1…countdown to record!
Quick story.
Recently I was recording a Podcast in London. My very talented and confident guest, Olivia was chatting and being very cheeky in the green room (the coffee area) next to the live studio before we went to record the episode.
As we walked from the coffee room to the studio we were laughing, joking, doing silly impressions, swearing and generally being a bit loud and boisterous. We were excited.
In other words, we are being ourselves, unfiltered and enjoying a bit of random banter.
But then something changed!
As we sat in the studio, got our headphones on and started getting our notes out, something happened.
That was the moment!
Suddenly things changed. Our banter stopped and we went quiet.
Piotr, the studio producer spoke to us in our headphones…
“ok let’s get some voice for sound levels”.
As you can imagine he asked us…
“What did you have for breakfast?”
Not only did that stop our conversation, but it was also a reminder that we were indeed in a RECORDING situation, and it totally stifled the fun, boisterous, cheeky, exciting atmosphere.
Then he continued to kill the atmosphere dead…
“Ok standby…quiet in the studio …”
Arrhh that moment is often the biggest personality killer ever. Luckily I know how to turn on the charm and carry on regardless.
Olivia called it out afterwards.
“It’s funny that as soon as the record button goes on, my personality turns off”.
Arhhh, that’s it I thought.
Olivia hit the nail on the head.
Red light anxiety is totally normal.
I remember at the BBC when we had a slightly nervous guest, I’d have to think on my feet to stop them from having red light anxiety.
They’d be sitting in the coffee area biting their nails, and I’d go and grab them (no we didn’t have an official green room!). Often they’d be totally terrified at the thought of walking into a live studio.
Can you relate to this?
That feeling of self-doubt.
Imposter syndrome (why would anyone want to listen to me?)
Messing up
Failing, or choking on a difficult question
Waffling
Boring the audience
Watching it back and HATING yourself
Please add to this list!
You’re thinking, arrh, professionals at the BBC know what they are doing and couldn’t possibly feel fear or IS – Imposter syndrome, surely not.
I’ll let you into a secret. They do!
99% of professional actors, presenters, politicians and journalists feel anxiety just before the red recording ON-AIR light goes on…
Another quick story about - the Alastair Campbell wobble…
One time Alistair Campbell, former British PM Tony Blair’s political spin doctor/author/journalist/strategist came into the live studio at the BBC to do a call-in show…..
He looked at the red light and looked at me and said…
“Ooooh, ummmm, is this live?”
I explained to him that yes, this was a talk radio format, and all our shows were live. I also told him; he’d be absolutely brilliant…..(we had 2 minutes until LIVE ON AIR).
To my amazement, he went a bit pale in the face and suddenly seemed to freak out and back away from the studio door. His red light anxiety was kicking in.
“I’m not sure I can do this,” he told me.
“WHAT?” I thought.
We were in the middle of the news, so I had 90 seconds to get him miked up with headphones and settle him down to go live!
I decided to ignore his red light anxiety and focus on him being relaxed and me being supportive instead…
“Hey, we won’t be putting any hostile callers through, we will be vetting them, you’ll be fine Alistair, this is what you do, we can play a track or trailer if you need more time – just call me in……have fun with it, standby….3…..2….1…..action”.
Phew, he was LIVE on air. And whether you like Alistair Campbell’s politics or not – he was brilliant that day. No one would have guessed we had had a major red light wobble.
My secret?
RELAX!
If you or the person you are interviewing feels RELAXED, they’ll cope with red light anxiety and bring their personality with them.
HOW you relax yourself and /or your guest depends on who you are, where you are and your surroundings that day.
My big tip here is to avoid those awkward silences where you’re waiting for the big ‘RECORDING IN PROGRESS’ cue.
Even if you do a couple of tongue twisters together or practice a few deep breaths! That will do the trick.
Anything that keeps you smiling, focused and supported will help. That feeling that you’re in this together makes a massive difference to anxiety levels.
HUMOUR plays a big part in feeling relaxed. Even if your topic is serious – your warmup doesn’t have to be.
When your body, mind and soul are relaxed – YOU’LL PERFORM BETTER, just like any athlete.
A very ‘serious’ lawyer told me at a recent conference, he jogs up and down in the loo before his major court appearances. Brilliant! Anything goes. Whatever works for you. DO IT!
My old boss used to call my techniques “The Esther Magic”.
I’ve learnt how to create the right atmosphere to help ‘talent’ like you, feel supported, relaxed, able to be yourself and perform with your sparkling personality intact, LIVE ON AIR.
So, the good news….
You’re NOT alone if you feel a bit sick before that pesky record sign goes RED! Red light anxiety is normal, and it’s not fatal!
Here are 5 tangible tips you can adopt to help you feel and appear LESS WOODEN or stifled. Check out this blog.
Blog – How to Avoid Being Wooden on Camera (Click on image to read)
And finally…a funny little story!
I used to think you had to be a tiny bit crazy to cope with red light anxiety!
I used to believe some people are born to live on air…and others aren’t!
One presenter (I will not name them) used to have a semi-nervous breakdown before each show just before we were about to go live.
Every single time they’d tell me they couldn’t cope, and often wanted to cancel the show. I’d get my special clean tissue out, wipe their tears, tell them they were brilliant and count them down 3….2….1…. action.
When the red light came on, they’d be totally “normal”.
When the ON-AIR LIGHT lit up, they would snap out of their temporary depression and come to life, be funny, relaxed, warm, vivacious and brilliant. I’d often wonder…..
“Are some people born to be in front of the camera at ALL times?”
Hey, don’t worry if that’s not you. It’s not me.
I used to struggle with the camera and recording myself. I used to suffer from red light anxiety, but I always knew what to do….most of the time…..carry on!
Even now I second-guess myself when recording Instagram clips and Podcasts. However, I keep doing it over and over again and focus on the output and takeaways.
I ask myself;
“what does the audience need?”
And this takes the pressure off ME. I’ve realised it’s not about ME it’s about the audience.
You don’t need to be a Kardashian or a Joe Wicks type of person to be relaxed when you’re on air, you need a bit of support, an open mind, a good message and a smile! #EyesAndTeeth
If you or your team need a bit of help to avoid that wooden feeling when you go live, please give me a shout esther@estherstanhope.com I’d love to help you press record without that feeling of dread!
Or Please link in with me and send me a message!