It's strange, but something happens to us all when we know we are being filmed or when we are speaking in a formal setting. We start behaving weirdly, which is probably why I didn't choose to become a great actor and 'tread the boards'! I have seen videos of me trying to pretend that I am not being recorded and I walk and talk like a third rate actor in a 1970s B movie!
The same thing often happens when we make a speech. Rather than sounding confident and in charge, our voice can rise to squeaking pitch and we speed up by about 30%. I guess it is because in our subconscious we are saying "let's get this thing over with quickly"!
As an aside, I once worked for a well known corporate organisation whose head of Europe was renowned for being very dull speaker indeed. A colleague and I were behind the set, and as a prank sped up his autocue - the poor man developed a sweat as he tried in vain to catch up with the words flying across his teleprompter. Of course, I am not recommending this as it is appalling behaviour!
There is a solution...and that is to slow down. By slowing down the pace we:
1. Give ourselves more time to think and breathe
2. Give the audience a better chance to take in what we are saying
3. Sound more confident, commanding and credible
Slowing down will also calm the nerves and helps to relax both us and our audience - a real win win situation!
Hamish Haynes
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