Record Your Video In One Take? Here’s Why I’m Breaking The Rules

“Something has changed within me, something is not the same. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.”

–Elphaba, from the play “Wicked”

Why recording yourself with a one shot video can be a great idea

There’s a common trend popping up in many online video challenges: record your video in one take. The idea? Ditch your perfectionism and realize that, wow, making videos doesn’t have to be a huge time-suck.

When you’re just starting out, this can be a great relief. I’ve done several of these challenges, and in most of them, the videos are shared only with fellow participants, rather than the general public. This gives you an invaluable chance to explore the media and “test the waters” in a safe, supportive group.

The single take video challenge usually works like this. The rule is that you have to post the first take — press “record,” see what happens, and post it in the group. And I loved it! It was a great way for me to get rolling with daily videos after a long summer hiatus.

But, I must confess: I was cheating.

Making authentic videos of yourself speaking

In the 30 days of the challenge, I’ve only posted my first take a couple of times. And it felt so good! One, because as a consummate rule follower, I enjoyed being naughty and doing it my way. And two, it really suited what my needs were at this point in time, which was to channel and express my thoughts in a concise way.

In order to do this, however, I didn’t want to just stop at the first thing that comes to mind. Sure, some people might argue that your first take is the most authentic and fresh. And perhaps, for some, it is.

But for me? Usually, it’s authentically confused and rambling.

Some people might be better at thinking on their feet or organizing their thoughts in their mind before pressing “broadcast”. I’m not one of them, though — and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Tips for preparing your one take video

In fact, when I did my 250+ livestream broadcasts, I’d consistently spent 20 minutes or more researching, preparing, and organizing my bullet points.

So: am I “bad” for breaking the rules? Have I “failed” the one-take video challenge? I don’t think so. Let’s look at this from another angle: if I’m writing an article, I’d never publish my first draft.

Honor a small act of rebellion as a step toward self-actualization. Share on X

Yes, it might be the most fresh and authentic — but it also probably won’t be ready for the public, as it will go off on tangents, lack chronological cohesion, or miss some illustrations that would help my readers follow my train of thought.

Take this article, for instance. As a reader, you’re probably following me pretty well (or at least, so I hope). But you might not have if you’d read the first draft.

The point is as follows: your first take isn’t always your best, or even your most “authentic.” For me, the first video take is like a first draft — my first thoughts in pixels. Once I’ve recorded it, I get a feel for what I want to add, take out, or change. The end product, I feel, reveals my true authenticity.

So I’ve come to honor my small act of rebellion as a step toward self-actualization. I don’t see it so much as disrespecting a rule, but rather using my critical thinking to bend the guidelines in a way that fits my needs, while still being engaged in the group. For me, it’s a way to more profoundly connect with my inner authority.

If you would love to get more comfortable speaking on camera, check out my private coaching, my Watch Yourself on Video without Cringing program or my TikTok training. If you haven’t read it yet, my book, Delight In The Limelight, is the perfect place to begin to clear your fear of public speaking and is available on all major bookstores across the world.