Working in front of cameras is something that will probably happen to all models at some stage of their career…
Some models actively thrive talking to a camera, like a natural “sixth sense”; for others, the skill has been developed over years of practice. Whatever your level of confidence is at, talking to a camera is something that is largely unavoidable.
Perhaps the closest comparison with confidence can be made with the dreaded “stage fright”. Be it performing a school play, filming a Hollywood blockbuster or singing to a packed-out arena, the level of confidence can be a “make or break” factor that determines the success of the performance.
Having confidence in front of a camera is something that can be tweaked or practised. With social media running wild throughout our lives, there are more posts to view, more clips to watch (or skip!), and more videos to upload. Being confident can really shine when filming, producing more effective results.
But, even if you think you haven’t reached the dizzy heights of some of your favourite models, singers and actors, it could be encouraging to note that a apparent lack of confidence leading to “stage fright” can strike at the most unexpected time – and even some of the greats are affected by it.
Take the legendary Barbra Streisand, for instance. Three years ago, the actress and singer revealed to the media that she rarely performed for decades due to “stage fright”. She commented that she got “scared” performing in front of fans, and though her anxiety is now largely over, the megastar said, “I just don’t want to disappoint people.”
If one of the biggest-selling artists of all time can be struck with a crippling dose of anxiety, it’s only natural that some models can suffer the same condition.
The need to please people is at the heart of performers – again, this is common and totally sincere. Models should practice in their spare time to raise levels of confidence and help gain more modelling assignments. By practising “dummy runs”, models can gain valuable self-belief in front of casting directors.
Glowing with confidence will always come across well in auditions, too. The trick to auditions (or interviews) is to realise that you have the skills that the client wants – so all you have to do is demonstrate them! Companies need candidates just as much as candidates need assignments, so it’s not just one-way traffic! Put your hours of practice in front of the camera by showing exactly what casting directors are looking for: enthusiastic, talented models with the confidence to shine.
No one is perfect. Those who are exceptional in a particular field have often invested in thousands of hours refining their skill sets. Practice shouldn’t be underestimated. If you need to come across as more bubbly or more assured when the cameras start rolling, put in the time honing your confidence levels. It might not happen overnight, but pretty soon you’ll feel like a new person when it really matters.
