Am I the only one who absolutely hates seeing themselves on film? I know to progress to the next stage in performing, producing a showreel is the way forward, but I cringe when I see myself on film and it takes all enjoyment away. I can not bear to watch myself played back!

I've been told I am a confident performer and have received really encouraging feedback following November's Movers & Shakers event, but I really struggle with this getting filmed business!

My wedding was video'd by a well-meaning in-law and seeing that made me feel sick to the stomach! It was a really amateur attempt, by the way. I'm so glad I have some absolutely lovely photos which a talented photograher friend took.

Is there anyone else out there is feels the same as me, and if so, how do you get passed this stupid stupid block?

Does it help to have a filmograher who knows what they are doing? And does being filmed on stage always make yourself look better than being filmed in your front room - lights, position etc.

Love Kitten Kaper xx

hey kitten,

i cringe every time i see a camera.!!!!

the absolute best footage is always when you are on stage and oblivious to it.

just get into the habit of getting filmed as often as possible and before long you will have at least a few snipets of yourself looking fab !!

do not film in your living room... ugh !!! go somewhere spooky or arty if you must ...

x x x

red

__________________
Winner "Best Female Performer 2007" MOB Awards
Mistress of Make Believe
Veteran of Circus and British Burlesque
http://www.redsarah.com
http://www.myspace.com/cherrybombola

Hiya Kitten,

I believe that a showreel is wotrth its weight in Gold. Angel and I are getting lots of performers who want to work our events, but unless at least one of us has seen them perform and are impressed a lot we are less willing to offer them anything other than one spot maximum.

Having said that I also think it is a good idea to have someone film you who has a stable hand and a good idea of what to do. I have seen a showreel of a very talented performer in which the filmer has cut her head off for most of the act! I'd also behorrified if I saw a showreel that contained the classic amateur mistake of over using the zoom function.

I can't help you with your nerves - I feel that you will get much better support with that worry from the other performers who use this forum.

Kind regards

Gehenna

__________________
Silk Stocking Striptease Show

I hate it too! I absolutely CRINGE when I watch myself back! I hate it! Even seeing photo's! EEEEEEEEEUGH!

When I worked for an agency, we used to get loads of applications each week and anything without a showreel normally got pushed to the back of the pile.

Word of mouth is a great thing but things could be made easier for yourself if you have a showreel.

As for filming at home....nooooo.... check with a local theatre or club with lighting they'll probably let you film there for a small fee

says the girl with no showreel cos she's too busy managing six other performers never mind her bloody self...ahem....

xx

__________________
www.frayedknot.org.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ameliesoleil

Oh I hate seeing my performances back! My last show was filmed by a very talented girl so I was really looking forward to seeing the film (my man usually does it on our camera which is such bad quality you can't see much detail) because I had been told the performance was good. I was horrified when I saw it because I looked terrible! I saw every little mistake, every stumble, and the facial expressions were just hideous! Worst of all, the memory card had run out of space just before the best bit of the entire routine! Of course, I hated it and refused to watch it again, upon which my man told me I was crazy and that it had been great. Everyone's their own worst critic, I think, and the only way to get over it is to listen to other people and disregard your own thoughts. If someone else says it shows that your performance was good, then use it in your showreel. No promoter is going to care whether or not you think you were having a bad hair day! Plus you can always cut out the little bits you like and do some sneaky editing together to make a showreel full of great clips with none of the embarrassment!

__________________
Terry Pratchett to Fleur - "Oh, are you the cleavage lady?"
Visit me - www.badflower.co.uk

Thank you all for your messages - it is reassuring to know that even good performers cringe when they see themselves on film. I'm going to take on board the good advice given here and fingers crossed something which won't make me cry too much will come out of it!

I've got theatre contacts and can talk to the tutors who take the acting course I'm currently on. Also, there are plenty of small theatres in the area that I'm sure would welcome the income.

I've got a photographer friend who is going to take some photos too...

I just wish these flutter bys would leave my tummy alone!