The moment when the mask falls and why it makes an impact
I recently shot several “About Me” videos with drama students again – together with Eva Gemmer at the camera. And as is so often the case, there was that one elusive but absolutely crucial moment.
It’s the moment when someone stops functioning.
And starts really being there.
This transition is not loud, not spectacular and often not immediately visible. But it changes everything. The voice becomes freer, the gaze clearer, the body language calmer. Above all, however, something is created that cannot be staged: Presence.
Why “About Me” videos rarely show what really matters
Many people approach an “About Me” video like a classic presentation format. They think carefully about what they want to say beforehand, tweak the wording and try to come across as convincingly as possible. The result is often smooth, structured – and surprisingly interchangeable.
Because an “About Me” video is not a glossy product.
It’s a statement:
This is who I am. This is how I sound. This is how I look.
And that is exactly what decides whether someone will be remembered.
It’s not just about the what, but above all about the how. People don’t react primarily to content, but to what resonates between the lines. To attitude, energy and inner clarity.
What really works: presence instead of perfection
What I always take away from these days of filming is as simple as it is challenging:
Nobody is looking for perfection.
And nobody remembers smooth.
What people react to is something else: presence, authenticity and connection.
Even before a single sentence is fully understood, an impression is already created. The question that the other person – consciously or unconsciously – asks is:
What is this person like?
Not: What does he say?
But rather: How does he look while he is speaking?
Why this is not an acting topic, but a business topic
At this point, it becomes clear that what we’re talking about here doesn’t just affect acting students or people in front of the camera. It is a central topic for every form of professional communication.
Whether it’s a presentation, pitch, meeting or video call – you won’t just be heard.
You will be experienced.
And it is precisely this experience that determines whether your message gets through or falls flat.
Impact always arises from the interplay of three levels:
- Contents
- Voice
- Performance
If one of these levels is missing or lacking, the overall picture quickly appears thin. However, when all three intertwine, something is created that is difficult to describe but can be perceived immediately: real presence.
The critical moment: when the pressure rises
This becomes particularly apparent in moments when it counts. Under pressure, many people resort to control. They try to “do everything right”, cling to formulations and often lose exactly what they actually wanted to show.
But this is precisely the crucial point:
Technique doesn’t show under pressure.
But your genuine demeanor does.
So the question is not whether you are prepared – but how you react when the situation becomes more intense. Can you still think clearly, speak freely and stay connected at the same time? Or do you withdraw inwardly and start to control yourself?
The camera as an honest sparring partner
The camera is a relentlessly honest mirror in this process. It forgives little and accelerates much. What is sometimes still carried by atmosphere in direct contact with other people becomes immediately visible here.
It forces you to
get to the point,
get in touch quickly,
and stay with yourself.
Without a mask. Without evasion.
And that is precisely why it is so valuable.
My conclusion: A presence test instead of a marketing tool
An “About Me” video is much more than a tool for external presentation. It is a test. A test of how available you really are when you are seen.
It’s often the missing piece of the puzzle for people who are strong in terms of content but still don’t achieve the impact they want.
Because the decisive spark doesn’t come from perfection.
But from the moment you are really there.
