Talking to a camera can be therapeutic
Sometimes talking out loud is enough
This is a bold statement. But hear me out. We go to therapists to talk about ourselves and mainly get head nods and words to help us elaborate further. Talking to a camera can be very similar, especially if it is just you.
Last week I finished up my Skillshare class. In order to teach this class, I needed to get in front of a camera. Over the past 5-6 years I have been 100% behind the camera but before that, I was actually in front of it. I got started in video production by making YouTube videos. First for a channel and blog that I ran, then eventually as a contributor to others. At first, I wasn't a fan of being in front of a camera, due to the fact that I was also the person editing the videos. Watching yourself for hours can be frustrating, but eventually, you do get over it.
What I did always enjoy was the process of talking to a device that didn't talk back. When you know you are recording, you know to repeat yourself and to go deeper on the topic, you don't need a professional to nod or prompt you. Sure, I never told a camera about my childhood history or probable trauma, but it was still cathartic to an extent.
Being in front of a camera can be cathartic
To make my class – I brainstormed, scripted, and made tele-prompts. I had to set up my studio in my living room in multiple apartments. I had to account for three camera angles and audio sources. When I finally sat in front of the camera, I was rusty. I was trying too hard. I didn't like the digital attention. But after a few dozen takes – the dust shook off, I started talking with my hands and venturing off-script. The old feeling of being ok, not quite comfortable, but ok in front of the camera was back.
Once I turned off the camera and put away my makeshift studio, I felt lighter. Kind of like talking to an old friend or therapist. The words spoken weren't too personal, it wasn't catching up on years of absence, it was just talking.
As humans, this is something we all need to varying levels. Talking to people, with the knowledge that they are not judging, just listening, is important. More so than ever, due to the pandemic, we do this less. Yes, this is not a permanent problem, but it is a problem that is here and now. Talking to someone in person is not an option for everyone due to proximity. Talking on the phone, video or not, doesn't always work due to environmental distractions – kids, noise, squirrel-like attention.
But when your listening ear is in person and cannot get pulled away, things are easier. You can talk about anything you want without judgment or advice, you can keep your train of thought without interruption, you can even talk to them without a potential dollar value.
I am not saying that a camera on a tripod is a replacement for a licensed therapist, but sometimes we don't quite need that. Sometimes we just need to talk out loud.