By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 08:18 am:

I have a question:

Does anyone freeze up when video cameras tape you when you are playing??

If yes, what do you do to ease that fear, and what steps are taken to ensure that you are calm before a videotape session?

Thanks in advance for any advice that I can get.


Daren Metz
Sony /Studio 4

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 08:39 am:

As a TV floor manager throughout the 80s and 90s, I often had to work with people making their debut on television, many of whom were equally apprehensive and nervous. For example, I supervised Take That's first TV appearance, and they were scared stiff. Gary Barlow asked me for advice on how to "get through it"! My advice was always the same: FORGET THE CAMERA!

If you're being taped, doing what you do normally - singing, playing, performing or whatever - simply ignore the camera/s and do it. It's the cameraman's job to worry about the camera, not yours. He's doing his job - you can do yours. Both are of equal importance.

Honestly, no-one is watching and waiting for you to screw up, because everyone's aim is a good product. If you can happily do what you do without a TV camera, there is no reason why you can't do the same on videotape.

Ritchie (ITV, 1977-1994)

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 08:45 am:

Thanks Ritchie!!

It is a very big event for me on June 21st and the thought of having TV cameras in my face is very strange!! I have always been afraid of cameras and seeing myself talking on camera for an interview.. I look like a dork or goof or something !!!


But I will try to relax and as you have said :

Forget the camera!! (Just keep repeating that Daren )

D

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 02:17 pm:

Daren, If you're being interviewed I'd suggest you look straight at the face of the interviewer and concentrate on what they're saying - you'll forget about the camera and just talk as in a normal conversation.

If you're being filmed while drumming focus on something other than the camera - it'll come across that you're concentrating on your playing.

It'll be over quicker than you realise !

Davie

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 02:17 pm:

Daren, If you're being interviewed I'd suggest
you look straight at the face of the interviewer
and concentrate on what they're saying - you'll
forget about the camera and just talk as in a
normal conversation.

If you're being filmed while drumming focus on
something other than the camera - it'll come
across that you're concentrating on your playing.

It'll be over quicker than you realise !

Davie

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 02:18 pm:

Sorry about the double post !

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 02:21 pm:

DAREN: AS A FORMER RADIO BROADCASTER...WHO GOT SHOVED ON TV A FEW TIMES...THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE BOOK!!!...JUST IMAGINE THAT THE AUDIENCE (CAMERAMAN AND ALL) ARE SITTING THERE WITH NO CLOTHES ON!!!...YOU'LL BE LAUGHING SO HARD AT WHAT YOU'LL BE IMAGINING...THAT YOU'LL ENTIRELY FORGET ABOUT THE CAMERA!!!...STUBASS

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:07 pm:

Also Daren, keep in mind that it is the job of the TV crew to make you look good. It reflects on the quality of the show. So just enjoy yourself.

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:10 pm:

Hi again !!


(STUBASS!!!) Why did you get shoved on TV!!! (LOL!!)

Anyway, again thanks for the words of support and I am working on what to say and not look like a lemonhead on TV!!!

Thanks to all that are responding!!


Daren Metz

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:11 pm:

Hi again Ralph!


Are you in Detroit?

D

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:25 pm:

YOU KNOW DAREN!!!...THOSE STUPID PUBLIC TELEVISION PLEDGE DRIVES AND THE LIKE!!!...THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME I HAD A GOOD FACE FOR *RADIO*!!!...STUBASS

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:27 pm:

Hahahaha (lol)! Now why do I have a mental picture of STUBASS punching out Big Bird & Mr. Rogers!

D

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:31 pm:

Daren:
Just be natural & be yourself. The last thing you should do is notice the camera.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:37 pm:

Hi Mr Kev!!

I agree with you but I had a bad incident a year ago with a camera operator. It wasnt bad but he came over my shoulder while I was jamming on the drums and when I opened my eyes up I had this big "Video EYEBALL" hovering around me!!! It was just a weird feeling to have him behind me taping my every move...

I am gonna deal with it and not freak like before!!

Daren

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 03:59 pm:

Daren,
I'm in Monterey, California. Just a little west of Woodward Ave.

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

LOL !!!

I am going to the NAMM convention in January - You have to tell me all of the hot spots when I get there!!

D

By stephanie (64.63.221.243) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 06:39 pm:

Hey STUBASS you can see me without my clothes on just joking..LOL

Stephanie
A naughty STUBASS ANGEL

By the count (65.60.201.174) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 06:51 pm:

HEY DRUMS,you'll do just fine.Keep your eyes on your skins and play your ass off,dont look to the right if the camera is there,or to the left if the camera is there.But if the cam pans in front of you,keep looking at the skins,then look up only once and do only one stick twrill with a motown smile and continue to beat your tom-tom.
Good luck and cameras are only the decorations.
"COUNT"

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 07:15 pm:

HEY "ANGEL" STEPH: YOU CAN BE IN MY AUDIENCE ANYTIME!!!...DAREN: UNTIL YOU BROUGHT IT UP...I THOUGHT I HAD TOTALLY BEATEN THE RAP ON THAT MR. ROGERS "HIT"!!!...STU(LOOKING FOR THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS)BASS

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 07:24 pm:

OH BY THE WAY DAREN!!!...IF *ALL* THE ABOVE SHOULD HAPPEN TO FAIL...A *MAJOR* HIT OF ZANAX SHOULD DO THE TRICK!!!...PHARMICOLOGICALLY YOURS...STUBASS

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 07:50 pm:

Darn,
I believe the NAMM convention is in Anaheim.
I'm about 300 miles north of there. However Soulful Detroit is well represented in Southern Califrnia and I'm sure those people will be of some help to you.

By drums (155.91.6.72) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 08:44 am:

LOL at all of the comments!!!

Thanks to everyone for the support!!

Daren "Video Chicken" Metz

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 09:01 am:

Stu...
....the temptation is to finish the whole joke with "...and a voice for silent movies...", but I'm too nice a guy to do that.

By Horse (159.53.238.241) on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 10:51 am:

Drums,

I did video work with an artist which was on the MTV and VH1 daily rotation. My case scenerio was that they set the drum kit on a platform about 7ft high and set up th camera on a railroad track device which allowed the camera man to ride below the drum kit and film from underneath and above. During the first take the direct said "CUT" advised that I not look at the camera and just do my thing. With that suggestion we continued only to hear "CUT". I thought to myself..."what now..?" The camera crew requested that they needed ear plugs because they couldn't take the volume of the kit. They wanted real...they got real. Filming Soultrain was a trip. Someone started the track without giving the band a heads up and started filming. Luckily, they didn't have the drumkit in the opening shot. Upon being called for the video date, I recieved a call from the director's wordrobe person suggesting that I bring everthing in my closet. I lugged a shit load of stage clothes to the gig. The director came to wordrobe and had me try on different outfits until he found one he thought was right for the vibe. As the day went on he would have a change of vision and have me wear a different look. Finally, he was content with a specific outfit and told me to change back into street clothes as to not wrinkle the chosen outfit. 15 hours later as I was waiting around in my street clothes waiting to be filmed, the director walked by and said: " That's It...I Love it"...Wear That Outfit"...I was wearing the boots, black jeans, a white tee shirt and jean jacket that I walked in wearing. Go figure...! Overall, video work required long hours, makeup work and patients but was an educational experience. My suggestion just as the others said. Just be yourself and be natural. It will reflect the true you on tape. Nothing to be nervous about. Your doing what you love to do.