1. Lights, Camera … ENGAGE!
Connecting with Learners Through Video
@TurpinComm
Greg Owen-Boger
Copyright 2012

2. As We Know …
• We live in a world of eLearning, social
media, & yesterday-deadlines
• Video is everywhere
• Being on camera is extremely challenging
• Coaching an SME is …
However …
• It doesn’t have to be so scary or difficult

3. Today’s Goal
Practical hands-on strategies for
engaging learners through a
camera's lens.

4. About You
• Who’s currently producing video?
• What’s your experience in front of the
camera?
• What successes and/or challenges are
you facing?

5. About Me
Actor, Director, Producer
Presentation & Facilitation Skills Trainer
Led Turpin’s eLearning & blended
learning initiative
Led our latest endeavor:
Find Your Focus Video Production

6. Agenda
Guiding Principles
Engaging the Camera
Camera Basics
Bloopers
Your Turn (time permitting)

7. Guiding Principles of our Work
Comfort
Writing Conversation
organized Orderly
spontaneous
data Conversations
interactive
accurate non-linear
structure engagement
Presentations & training sessions are conversations
Video should feel conversational
Speakers must be self-aware & engaged

8. Self-aware & Engaged
Find your focus. Be yourself. Only better.
Take control Allow your Adapt to the
of your personality to environment
thoughts. shine through. you’re in.

9. The Funhouse
High self-consciousness
Low self-awareness
Racing mind
Nervous
Not in control
Out-of-body experience

10. Funhouse
Pausing Eye Contact
Settle thoughts Connect with the
individual
Engaged

11. Terry Gsell,
Director
Be Specific
& Get Personal
Speak to one
person
Friendly
relationship
Solid eye contact
to camera
http://youtu.be/P2p2I_MPing

12. Additional Thoughts
• Sounding spontaneous is necessary
for learner engagement
• Perfection is not desired
• Keep your enthusiasm up
• Instructor must know & understand the content,
but not recite a script
• Well-thought-out & detailed instructional design
are critical for context & connecting dots

13. So … How Do You
• Follow the instructional design?
• Deliver the learning objectives?
• Be clear & concise?
• Engage your friend through the camera?
• And sound conversational?

14. Create Notes &
Improvise Around Them
Refer to sample
script, page
8
http://youtu.be/wzsAezUbAvQ

15. The Process
Start with Excellent Instructional Design
Prep
Write Script or Outline for Video Portions
Gather Thoughts, Make Connections
Create Notes that you May or May Not Use
The
Shoot
Review Out Loud
Smile, Engage Your Friend, and … Action!

16. Other Recommendations
• Learn to sneak a peek
• Be patient & ask it of others
• Take breaks
• Break it down into manageable clips
• Understand what can be edited & what can’t
• Do as many takes as it takes
• Do not settle for just OK, but do not strive for
perfection either

17. Beware …
• Using a TelePrompTer
• Memorizing
• Performing

18. Coaching Others
Direction/Coaching should come from only one
person
Help them understand
• Don’t have to be memorized or be perfect
• Should sound conversational
• Let their personalities shine & keep their Keep things pleasant
enthusiasm up
Be patient
Coach them
Take breaks
• To pause, to think, to breathe
Help them break it down into
• Engage the camera manageable clips
(one person, friendly relationship)

19. Agenda
Guiding Principles
Engaging the Camera
Camera Basics
Bloopers
Your Turn (time permitting)

20. Camera Basics
Placement
Angle
Framing
Headroom
Looking room
Tilt
http://youtu.be/Im-d5sFe2GQ

21. Agenda
Guiding Principles
Engaging the Camera
Camera Basics
Bloopers
Your Turn (time permitting)

22. For Fun …
http://youtu.be/jAF5uYwx2Ls?t=2s

23. Agenda
Guiding Principles
Engaging the Camera
Camera Basics
Bloopers
Your Turn (time permitting)

24. Write Your Script
• Name
• Role
• Responsibilities
• What brought you here today

25. Your Script

26. 8

27. Greg Owen-Boger
A former actor and director, Greg Owen-Boger is now the Vice President of
Turpin Communication, a presentation and facilitation skills training company
based in Chicago. Schooled in management and the performing arts along
with his entrepreneurial spirit, Greg brings a diverse set of skills and
experiences to the organization. He joined Turpin in 1995 as a camera man
and quickly worked his way up. He now serves as a communication trainer
and coach for Turpin’s largest clients. Since 2006, he has overseen all aspects
of their eLearning and blended learning platforms including instructional
design, script development, video production, on-camera coaching and LMS
deployment. He also appears on camera as a subject matter expert.
Earlier this year Greg led an initiative to launch Find Your Focus Video, a
production wing of Turpin Communication, which helps eLearning
professionals and small businesses create effective web-based videos on a
budget.
Greg is the Director of Technology for the Chicagoland Chapter of ASTD and
is the Managing Director of Interrobang Theatre Project.

28. Greg Owen-Boger
TurpinCommunication.com FindYourFocusVideo.com
greg@turpincommunication.com
linkedin.com/in/gregowenboger
@TurpinComm
facebook.com/TurpinCommunication