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- Talking-head videos are exactly what they sound like: they feature a person in front of a camera talking. They're effective because they create the impression of a one-to-one interaction with the viewer. Talking-head videos always include a head, but they may also have the speaker's shoulders, torso, and even their entire body.
www.descript.com/blog/article/tips-for-making-a-talking-head-video-that-people-want-to-watch
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What is a talking head video?
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What should a talking-head explainer video look like?
How do you film a talking head video?
Talking-head videos are exactly what they sound like: they feature a person in front of a camera talking. They're effective because they create the impression of a one-to-one interaction with the viewer.
- Brandon Copple
- What Is A Talking-Head video?
- Successful Talking-Head Video Examples
- Advantages of Talking-Head Videos
- Disadvantages of Talking-Head Videos
- How Do You Make A Talking-Head Video setup?
- How to Set Up Lighting For A Talking-Head Video
- How to Frame A Talking-Head video?
- How to Film A Talking-Head video?
- 5 Tips on How to Make Talking-Head Videos More Engaging
A talking-head video is one where someone speaks directly into the camera. This person is usually a ‘Subject Matter Expert’ (SME), an interviewer, or an interviewee. In these videos, the shots are taken from the chest or waist upwards, with the subject seated or standing. It’s also common for the subject to look straight into the camera, but on occ...
Explainer Videos
Explainer videos are the most common type of talking-head videos. In these videos, a subject matter expert usually explains a topic or concept in detail to an audience. Below is the most common example of an explainer talking-head video. In this video, popular YouTuber Ali Abdaal gives his take on what he believes is The Real Secret of Productivity.
Interviews
The use of talking-head videos is also common in interviews. This old interview with Tom Cruise is a good example of a talking-head interview video. Note that neither the host nor Cruise look directly to the camera, but they both look slightly sideways, as is common in such videos.
Corporate Talking-Head Videos
Talking-head videos feel more personal and intimate than other styles of video. That’s why they are the most effective way to communicate with employees, customers, and shareholders. Corporate talking-head videos can be enhanced by using B-roll footage and upbeat music (like the below example) to increase engagement and tell a story. The example above uses employee interviews for marketing purposes, but there are different types of corporate talking-head interviews your brand could use.
Lower production costs
In addition to being engaging, talking-head videos don't cost a fortune to produce. Sure, you can add animation, video footage, images, and sound effects to your video — which of course increases costs. But a pure talking-heads video is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to use video in your business. To make a talking-head video, you just need a camera, a script, a human, and a video editingtool. No other fancy-schmancy talking-head video production tools are necessary.
Builds a strong connection with your audience
As we mentioned earlier, a talking-head video does an excellent job of building a connection with your audience. Videos such as whiteboards and animation have their own advantages, but in terms of building trust and credibility, talking-head videos are king. And people like doing business with companies they trust and find credible.
Great for microlearning
If you've ever taken a course where each video was between 2-5 minutes long, you'll know what microlearning is. It’s a type of learning that is typically delivered in short, bite-sized pieces that people can listen to at their own convenience. Talking-heads videos are the ideal format for microlearning videos. It’s also very easy to make these videos — especially with software like Riverside.fm. You can record an hour-long presentation and break it down into different clips, or use footage fr...
They can be boring
Watching human faces is nice and all, but there’s a reason we also like videos with animations and visual effects. Our brains crave novelty, so having a human talk and talk for more than 10+ minutes can get boring (unless the person is charismatic and can capture the audience's attention).
Awkwardness
Talking-head videos can also sometimes be awkward, especially if the person speaking isn't natural in front of the camera.
Not suitable for all styles of learning
Some people learn more from visual explanations. Others learn better through reading. Since talking videos lack visual and written cues, it’s hard for such people to learn purely through a talking video.
To make a compelling talking-head video, you need to keep the following things in mind: 1. Script 2. Video Lighting 3. Framing
A good video lightingsetup for a talking-head video ideally requires three light sources (the three-point lighting setup): 1. The key light (mandatory) — If you want good lighting, you need a key light. In a talking-head video, this is the light that’s at the front or slightly to the side. To create depth and contrast on the subject's face, positio...
In a talking-head explainer video, the Subject Matter Expert should look straight into the camera for maximum audience engagement. They should also be dead center in the middle. The shot should be taken from the speaker’s mid-stomach or mid-chest upwards. In addition, you should leave 2 inches between the top of the speaker's head and the top of th...
Step 1: Prepare your content
Write a good script with the help of the tips we mentioned above. You should also create a storyboard with a shot list that describes: 1. The different individuals that will be present in different shots. 2. The location of each shot. 3. The different visual elements, including props, graphics, background, etc. 4. Your plan for shooting the scene. Will the shot require a zoom-up or a long shot of the presenter? Will there be lots of edits in the scene, or will it be one continuous shot?
Step 2: Prepare your recording environment
1. Follow the lighting guidelines that we outlined above 2. Frame the subject 3. Use a good camera 4. Use good recording equipment. You can choose from: a lavalier microphone, a USB Microphone, a shotgun microphone or an XLR microphone.
Step 3: Start Recording
There are two ways you could record. You can record directly into the camera and edit the video in post-processing. Or you can record using software like Riverside.fmto record remotely. With remote recording software like Riverside, you can capture footage in 4K and record the video locally.
Use storytelling
Stories make you feel as if you are experiencing the events in the story firsthand.So if someone describes eating a chocolate cake, the listener’s sensory cortex lights up. Similarly, if someone recounts a workout they did recently, the listener’s motor cortex lights up. Remember, though, that storytelling isn’t great for all types of videos, especially short explainer videos. However, it can have a huge impact on your audience for longer videos.
Put energy into your talking-head videos
Videos with passionate and energetic presentations get more views. Conversely, having a lifeless and monotonous presentation in your videos will be the bane of your brand.
Speak to their emotions
A studyhas found that videos that go viral usually evoke the following emotions in viewers: 1. Curiosity 2. Admiration 3. Amazement 4. Interest 5. Astonishment 6. Uncertainty So try to convey these emotions in your videos.
- Company update video. ABC Tech illustrates how attaching a face to a company update makes it look and feel more professional. They’re not just blasting out a message to employees, customers, or stakeholders but own it.
- Product review video. This child-led scratch test and product review by iFixit is proof that the presenter can make or break a talking head video. It has two presenters, each with an increased adorable factor that speaks to different audiences.
- Corporate video on sustainability initiatives. A talking-head video is a perfect way for usually faceless corporates to connect with their audience. In this example by Green Earth Inc, the human-led corporate sustainability presentation underlines the idea of personal commitment.
- Interactive video lecture. Unless they’re interactive, video lectures are boring. In this example from Maryville University, we see an unusual approach, a dialogue between AI avatar Dominique and subject matter expert Bill.
Jun 14, 2024 · Talking head videos are a great way to share experiences, insights, and feedback in an interview or testimonial (we are all used to seeing TV talking head videos). Such a format adds a personal touch and credibility to your content.
Aug 31, 2022 · With the talking head videos, you can create short and informative videos that promote your products, ultimately improving sales volume, creating a buzz, conveying information concisely and captivating, and reaching a broader audience.
Mar 10, 2024 · A talking head video is where someone looks and speaks to the camera. In doing so the presenter established a one-to-one connection with the viewer. I'll show you how to make talking head videos, including how to script them, how to light them, and how to film them.
Oct 11, 2022 · A “talking head” video is a type of video featuring a person talking directly to the camera. These videos are often used for educational or informational purposes, as they can be an effective way to communicate complex information in a concise and relatable manner.
