The popularity of talking heads films has led to the assumption that all you need for your video is someone talking to camera. But there is so much more that goes into a talking heads film. Moreover why would you want to invest into a video that is just like everyone else’s? You will get your best ROI from your talking heads film, if you make a different video and stand out from the crowd. This does not mean you need to abandon talking head videos, rather when they are properly executed talking head films can be interesting, engaging and informative.
What is a talking head video
So what is a talking head video? Traditionally, a talking head video is when a person speaks directly to the camera with only their head and upper body visible. So as the term suggests they are a literal talking head. This creates a conversation between the speaker and the audience through the lense. This communication of information is both reliable and straightforward which is why this format is so predominant.
Talking head shot
For the most part, talking head shots involve framing only the person’s head and upper body; the camera focuses only on the speaker. This means that talking head shots can be stationary and static, which means they can lack visual appeal and can be uninteresting. This does not mean though that talking heads film are a lost cause. Rather you need to be creative with how you shoot it. The most vital part of a talking heads film is having someone speaking to camera, so the rest can be up to you!
Talking heads video
The popularity of a talking heads video has decreased their effectiveness with audiences. Their overuse has desensitised audiences to their benefits, making them less effective than they used to be. Audiences are used to them, and thus their interest and engagement can wane with talking heads videos. This means that to get your best ROI out of your talking heads video you must move beyond the traditional format. Introduce some action and dynamism.
Talking head video tips
To optimise the value of your video, we suggest you pay attention to the following talking head video tips:
- Use music to evoke emotion and engagement from your audiences. Music helps to draw in audiences and connect them to your talking head video
- Shoot from different angles to introduce different perspectives of the subject. This introduces movement into your talking head video and will help to hold audiences’ attention
- Add in cutaway shots into the talking head video while the subject is speaking. This allows you to show relevant footage while not interrupting the subject’s interview and introducing movement, and excitement. This will help you hold on to your audience’s attention.
- Emphasise key points with motion graphics. These give your audiences something else to engage and focus on, along with creating movement and excitement.
