Be Real on Camera — Even If You’re Dead
- Laura Doman
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
What playing a murder victim taught me about authenticity, confidence, and the power of being imperfect on video.
I was on set last week filming a TV show, a murder mystery based on real-life events.
I played the victim and through it all, I got to:
Wear a naval uniform
Segue from happy to angry to... well, dead
Do some basic stunt work under the watchful eye of a stunt coordinator
I especially liked the stunt work: seeing how the gun (the murder weapon) was totally inoperable, yet how to treat it like the real thing. Staggering from a gunshot and then falling facedown to the pavement. My old martial arts training from 40 years ago came in very handy! (We were always taught how to fall correctly, without spraining or breaking our wrists.)
The shoot itself moved very quickly - just a few takes of each scene - but it reminded me of one thing that I thought I'd pass on to you:
Perfection is not the main pursuit. Artistic expression is.
What sells the story? Makes it interesting to watch? Keeps the audience guessing? Not just the facts - it's how those facts are presented that keeps viewers enthralled. How did a strong military woman became a murder victim? Especially by such an unlikely assailant?
It's the raw emotion that makes viewers lean in. Not how perfectly told it was, but the messiness - the realness - of the situation brought to life. And these same guidelines reveal how YOU can be more effective speaking on camera, too.
Here's the secret:
The real you is far more compelling than the perfect you.
Behind the Scenes: When “Real” Hurts (a Little)
OK, here's the basic story. I was cast as one of the leading characters of a true-to-life crime story. A mother murdered in cold blood on the driveway of her home. Ouch.
Literally, there was some ouch. Most of my scenes had me on my feet moving around, but the pivotal moment - the shooting - had an extended period of freeze tag built in. For what seemed a VERY long time (but really, only about 15 to 20 minutes), I lay motionless and face-down on a cold October concrete driveway - at night - while TV police officers and detectives swarmed around my “body.” I couldn’t shiver, blink (I got around that by keeping my eyes hooded), or even twitch - just breathe shallowly enough to stay “dead.”
It wasn’t glamorous, but the emotions driving that scene were real. Especially in the closing shot when everyone walked away and I truly felt extreme loneliness and invisibility being regarded as simply a body, not as a person. Hmmm, as (alive) human beings, we all need that sense of belonging and recognition. It was that feeling, and that of being mortally wounded and fading from life, that gave the scene realness and made it work.
To keep it real and natural, the dialogue was partially improvised. Not just in the climactic scene, but throughout filming. Yes, there was a script, but the director wanted natural reactions and behavior - overlapping conversations, raw emotion, and the rhythm of real human speech. He wanted authenticity and real life, not polish.
That’s the goal in acting - and it’s the same goal when you’re speaking naturally on camera.
Perfection is not relatable. Authenticity is. And authenticity comes from the real person (you!) living a real moment, whether it's technically ideal or not.
Perfection Isn’t the Point
So many people approach video with the idea that they need to be flawless: perfect lighting, perfect words, perfect delivery. But that pursuit of perfection often backfires. And it wastes a lot of time trying to achieve it!
You see, when everything feels rehearsed and rigid, the humanity disappears. You sound like a performer, not a person.
The truth? Viewers connect with you, not your perfection. They’re drawn to your energy, your expression, your momentary pauses and laughter. Those “imperfections” are what make you relatable and real. You don't - and shouldn't - memorize your script. Know the subject well enough to speak extemporaneously, following an outline. Yes, use notes once in a while to keep you on track, but don't berate yourself because you're not word-perfect.
How do you do that well and have it come across as professional? That’s exactly what I teach in my On Camera Confidence coaching - how to let go of the idea that video has to be a performance, and instead, make it a conversation, with plenty of on-camera acting and speaking techniques to show you how to pull it off fairly seamlessly.
The Real Secret to On Camera Confidence
The truth is, confidence doesn’t come from memorizing your lines. It comes from trusting your message.
When you focus on connecting rather than performing, you free yourself to be spontaneous, expressive, and engaging. That’s when your presence shines through the lens - not because you’re perfect (and often because you're NOT!), but because you’re real.
It’s the same principle directors rely on in film and television: authenticity over precision. The audience wants to feel something genuine. And that starts with you showing up - imperfectly, but sincerely - as yourself.
If you're wondering... yes, it can be learned. It can be applied to business videos, too. That's what makes them the most engaging!
If you’d like to learn how to bring that same natural ease and authenticity to your own videos or presentations, join me for my next virtual masterclass, The Shameless Hussy's Guide to On Camera Confidence on November 20 at 3pm EST. (Link below)
You'll discover how to quiet your inner critic, speak comfortably to the camera, and create a dynamic on-screen presence that attracts your ideal audience - no acting required.
And if you ask nicely, I may even tell you what it's like being killed brutally on screen, doing stunts, and working with TV murder weapons. I've done it twice already this year! 😉
Upcoming Events
The Shameless Hussy's Guide to On Camera Confidence
November 20 at 3pm EST / noon PST
via Zoom
Want to learn more? Let's talk!
I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.
