How to make a talking head video
How to Make the Perfect Talking Head Video
(From someone who’s spent far too much time staring into a lens… and helping others do the same)
Let’s get one thing straight. A talking head video is not just “you talking to camera.”
It’s you holding someone’s attention in a world where attention spans are basically goldfish with WiFi.
The good news? You don’t need a fancy studio, a £3k camera, or a voice like a late-night radio host. You just need to get a few key things right. I’ve worked in film production and spent years coaching presenters, and the difference between “scroll past” and “hang on, this is good” usually comes down to a handful of simple tweaks.
Let’s break it down.
Before we dive on in, this is not a blog about how to present on camera. We're talking technicals here. If you want to know how to speak on camera with confidence, click here.
1. Set Up: where does the camera go?
Where you place the camera isn’t a technical detail… it’s the difference between looking confident and looking like you’ve accidentally FaceTimed someone from your chin. Let’s fix that.
Use a Tripod (Or Something That Pretends to Be One)
A tripod is your quiet little production assistant - if you don't have one, go get one.
- It lets you position the camera properly
- It gets you further away from the lens (goodbye, distorted close-up, hello editing options)
- It frees up your hands so you can actually present, not just exist
No tripod? Stack of books, shelf, anything stable. We’re not fussy, we’re just not balancing it on a cereal box and hoping for the best.
Top tip: Frame yourself so your upper body is visible. Not just your face. This becomes important when you start using your hands to emphasise points and add a bit of life to what you’re saying.
Oh and while we're talking about being hands free...
that goes for micrphones too. If you don't have to hold one don't hold one. Especially if it's one of those tiny Bluetooth mics that are designed to be pinned to your top. Pin that thing to your top and you have your hands free to express yourself.
Look People in the Eye (Yes, Even Through a Lens)
Think about how you naturally talk to someone. You don’t stand over them like a headteacher. You don’t shout from across the room. And if they’re smaller than you, you instinctively lower yourself to their level.
Why? Because eye level feels human. It feels comfortable. It builds trust.
That doesn’t magically disappear when a camera turns on.
If your camera is too low, you look dominant and slightly intimidating. Too high, and you look diminished, like you’re apologising for existing. Neither is the vibe we’re going for.
Top tip: Get the lens at eye level. Always.
And remember… the lens isn’t a piece of glass. It’s your viewer. That’s who you’re talking to.
A Quick Sense Check
Before you hit record, ask yourself:
- Am I at eye level?
- Can we see more than just my face?
- Do I look like I meant to set this up?
If the answer is yes, you’re already ahead of most people.
Take a gander at the image below. Hands free, lots of me on screen and I'm looking right at you!
2. Framing: where do you sit on screen?
Now we’ve got the camera sorted… where do you actually put yourself?
Because this is where people either look like a polished presenter… or someone who’s accidentally wandered into frame.
Shoot for the Screen You’re On
If this is for social, you’re filling a vertical screen.
So:
- Film in portrait
- Fill the frame properly
- Don’t leave loads of empty space doing nothing
You want to feel present, not distant.
Rule of Thirds (Without Making It Sound Complicated)
There’s a principle in filming called the Rule of Thirds. Sounds technical. It’s not (read more here).
Turn on the grid in your phone settings. You’ll see lines dividing your screen.
Now:
- Place your eyeline along the top horizontal line
- Keep yourself roughly centred left to right
That’s it. You’ve just gone from “random framing” to “intentional.”
Furniture (not the stuff in the room)
Take a look at this screen shot from Instagram. You'll see there's a lot on screen besides me.
All that stuff (icons, text, reshares) we call that furniture and you don't want to be hiding anything important behind it.
Youll see here that everything I want people to focus on is exactly in the right spot. I use a handy little template to make sure I get that right when I edit my videos and add text. It looks like this.
3. Background: don’t let it steal the show
Your background should support you, not audition for its own spin-off series.
Good options:
- A clean room with a bit of depth
- Something relevant to what you do (gear, books, subtle personality)
- Natural light if you can get it
Avoid:
- Mess (unless your brand is “chaotic genius”)
- Bright windows behind you (you’ll turn into a silhouette)
- Anything that makes people go “wait… what is that behind them?”
Think of your background like a bass player. If it’s doing its job, you notice it. If it’s overplaying, it ruins everything.
3. Lighting: nothing fancy, just flattering
You don’t need a full lighting rig. You just need to not look like you’re telling ghost stories.
- Face a window if possible (free, soft, flattering light)
- If using artificial light, keep it in front of you, slightly off to one side
- Avoid overhead lighting — it creates shadows that make you look permanently tired
If your lighting makes you look like you haven’t slept since 2007, fix it.
4. What to Wear: dress appropriately
This isn’t about fashion. It’s about clarity.
- Wear solid colours (busy patterns flicker on camera and act as a distraction)
- Avoid light coloured tops (you'll want contrast for captions to stand out)
- Dress one level above your audience’s expectation
If you’re teaching musicians, look like someone they’d trust to give advice. Not like you’ve just popped out for milk.
5. The Secret Most People Miss
Here it is. The best talking head videos don’t feel like videos.
They feel like someone who knows what they’re talking about… explaining something useful… in a way that’s easy to follow.
That’s it.
Not perfect lighting. Not cinematic camera moves. Not a viral hook formula. Clarity beats cleverness every time.
Final Thought
You’ve already got an advantage most people don’t. You understand presenting. You understand production. You’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. So don’t overcomplicate it.