Pro Wrestling - Learning to Edit Your Own Promos
Hey guys, I came across a story today that WWE had brought in an acting coach into NXT (their developmental program). This speaks volumes to me as someone within the entertainment industry. WWE knows exactly what they are doing...sure..we can all complain about their lazy booking at times but let's face facts: They are always gravitating more towards entertainment and less on wrestling. Sadly, for some of us who love the sport based on what we grew up on, this pales in comparison to our memories but its the hard fact.
I wanted to discuss something that you can do, as an performer, is learning the simple basics of filming your own promos. Without getting into the rules I tend to stick with about the actual promo itself, let's discuss some methods to make your promo better.
Often you're asked to provide a promo before appearing at a company as a fresh talent and you are basically, on your own. In today's world we have technology at our finger tips and the ability to film promos and edit primarily on our phones. For example, I used iMovie recently and it really looked great. It's less than $10 for the app and can be used easily on an iPhone.
Having this luxury is a huge asset but is also a huge risk if not done properly. How many times have you watched a promo done on a phone and felt like "This doesn't look very professional"? I'm sure a lot.
Here are some tips or tricks to help create some buzz:
Angle - the angle you film the promo can virtually hold the viewers attention a bit longer than a standard, static tripod shot. You can frame exactly what you want in the shot and what you don't want. Bane looks bad ass...right?
Music - having a track that is upbeat or more or less, tells the story for your character again is a great way to hold the attention span of the viewer and help deliver the message in a positive way and look like you have quality and value, which in turn could net more cash.
Color and Filters - I'm a fan of color correcting or using a built in feature that alters the coloring of the film itself. Raw footage shows a lot of flaws and like noted earlier, the lighting might not be desired. Again, this creates a value and makes you look like a professional.
I know these are very easy, basic tips but I think most times we feel rushed to "hurry up and get it done" instead of taking a minute and wanting the best result possible. I am in the process of writing a guide that will explain a very in-depth look at Promos from both sides of the camera and how everyone can improve, that will be taught at seminars soon. For more information, follow me on Twitter at
@RobDimension.
Rob Dimension is a multi-award winning actor, writer and filmmaker and a hired public speaker for over 20 years. Rob has also written live television and produced syndicated programing. Rob also moderates celebrity panels for Monster-Mania Con and has hosted several successful podcasts.
