In the world of corporate and marketing video production, businesses often feature their own employees, customers, or leadership in front of the camera. While this approach brings authenticity and relatability to the content, it also introduces a unique challenge: guiding non-professional talent to deliver natural, compelling performances on camera.
As experienced videographers, producers, and directors at St Louis Video Studio, we’ve helped countless organizations transform everyday people into confident on-camera storytellers. In this guide, we’ll walk through best practices for working with non-actors to ensure your next video production captures genuine, effective, and professional results.
1. Start with a Clear Vision and Script Support
Non-professional talent thrives when they understand the purpose of the video and their role in it. Provide them with:
- A simplified script or talking points: Avoid industry jargon and memorization. Focus on clarity and key messages.
- Context for the scene: Explain who the audience is and why their words matter.
- Flexible phrasing: Let them say things in their own words—authenticity wins over perfection.
2. Create a Comfortable Environment
Stage fright is common. To ease nerves:
- Limit the crew: A smaller set makes talent feel less intimidated.
- Warm up with casual conversation: Break the ice before the camera rolls.
- Keep the set quiet and calm: Reduce distractions and maintain a positive tone.
At St Louis Video Studio, we’ve designed our private studio space specifically for these situations—comfortable lighting, minimal foot traffic, and a focused atmosphere ideal for first-time on-camera guests.
3. Use Prompting and Interview Techniques
Rather than asking someone to deliver a monologue, guide them with:
- Prompt-based questions: Lead with questions that encourage natural responses.
Example: “Can you tell us about a time you saw the company’s values in action?” - Conversational interviews: Our producers often sit just off-camera and engage talent in a genuine back-and-forth, then edit for flow and clarity.
4. Position and Direct Gently
Help your talent look and feel their best by:
- Framing them properly: Use flattering angles and even lighting.
- Giving clear direction: Guide posture, eye line, and pacing without overwhelming.
- Reassuring with playback: Show quick takes to boost confidence when appropriate.
We’ve seen time and again how small adjustments—like encouraging someone to slow down their speech or reposition slightly—can significantly elevate a performance.
5. Plan for Extra Takes and Patience
The magic often happens in take two or three. Build time into your schedule to:
- Allow for warm-up: Initial takes are just practice.
- Capture multiple angles: Especially helpful in editing for continuity and best moments.
- Keep energy positive: Encouragement matters more than critique with non-actors.
6. Enhance with Post-Production Polish
Even great raw footage can benefit from post-production:
- Edit for clarity and flow
- Add B-roll or visuals to cover rough cuts
- Include professional audio mixing and color correction
Our editing suite at St Louis Video Studio brings everything together to ensure your final product feels polished and aligned with your brand.
Trust Your Team and Partner with Professionals
Non-professional talent can deliver powerful, authentic performances with the right environment, guidance, and post-production support. It’s a process built on empathy, patience, and experience—and we’re here to help.
At St Louis Video Studio, we bring decades of hands-on experience in directing on-camera talent of all types. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, we provide the equipment, creative expertise, and tailored support needed for successful image acquisition.
We offer:
- Full-service studio and on-location video and photography
- Licensed drone pilots for indoor and outdoor flight
- Skilled editing and post-production teams
- Custom productions designed for businesses and agencies
- AI-enhanced media services and repurposing strategies
- Private, flexible studio setups for interviews and small productions
Since 1982, we’ve helped countless businesses and marketing firms across the St. Louis region turn everyday people into standout on-camera talent. Whether you’re creating a testimonial, internal training, or branded video content, our team at St Louis Video Studio ensures every detail—from lighting to final export—is handled with precision.
Let us elevate your next production. Get in touch today.
St Louis Video Studio 