The Secret of Talking Heads

The Secret of Talking Heads 03/15/2009

As I sit here trimming footage for a new Talking Heads episode, randomly posting nuggets of praise and other random observations for the players on twitter, it occurs to me that it may very well be high-time to reveal the secret of Talking Heads.

When I tape my footage, especially the meaty lines, I just read it right off the computer screen. That's right. I have the webcam set up on top of my laptop screen and then I have the script in Notepad, placed as close to the top of the screen (the webcam) as possible. As most lines are ridiculously short and simple, it's easy to deliver them straight into the camera. For the chunkier lines, I simply read them off the screen.

Memorization is good, but far too time consuming. Maybe if I ever pay you guys for these performances, THEN you can take the time to memorize lines ;)

Comments

Ibrahim link

03/15/2009 10:17am

Shite.. I have to keep peeking at the screen every two minutes because it's BEHIND my camera and make-shift stand.. it takes a while to get the accent right too, because here's my own little secret: I FAKE THE PAKISTANI ACCENT.

krumbine

03/15/2009 10:20am

OMFG!!! I was totally noticing that. You deceitful bastard, you!

Jordan and Allison Middlebrook link

03/15/2009 1:41pm

Funny. I read it and act it. None of this teleprompter bull ha ha

Ibrahim

03/15/2009 11:50pm

Muahahaahahahaahaahaha! now keep it under your hat!

novanine

03/16/2009 3:49am

I learn it cos I'm a fuckin purist!

JimmerSD link

03/16/2009 8:26am

Now you tell me..

krumbine

03/16/2009 8:54am

@middlebrook ... yeah, except for when you have a giant monologue that you take twenty minutes to get on tape.

@novanine: I figured as much. Just project a little, next time ;)

@Jim: um, sorry? You still got one more!