Any good relaxation techniques?

thartley

thartley

Veteran
I am one of those people who wears their emotions on their sleeve, and when I am going to shoot something, I get so excited that my already not so stable hands get even shakier. Its not a nervous jittery thing, its just an "I'm so excited" thing. Can someone suggest some legal means to calm down before a shoot? :D
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

Well, don't drink redbull....I was on a shoot one time in Hood River at a bike competition, and red bull was of course handing free drinks out.....5 cans later I think my heart almost exploded....But, what usually helps me is to eat something before hand. Whenever I get hungry and the stomach starts growling is when things get jittery for me. Sometimes listening to some music on headphones in the down time is a good way to relax too. When shoot time comes, just unplug them from your audio device of choice, plug them into the DVX, and you're ready to monitor audio too! Or you could just take ridolin (sp?)......
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

Miles Davis Kind of Blue, and a bit of stretching!
Or not going to work and playing golf.
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

Supposedly eating a Banana calms you down

One thing I like to do is tell my self to "Think unsexy thoughts".. that'll stop the shaking for sure
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

If you want relaxation advice you must goto the monk!  Sister Thartley, just don't think about anything. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss. No thoughts, no worries. Everytime your mind focuses on something that causes you stress, anger, frustration, or (in your case) excitement, just tell yourself "No! I'm not going to allow myself to waste energy on this. I control my life and my happiness."  Sounds like denial advice, but it seems to work for 60 million Thai people.

Good luck on your shoot!  It's ok to be excited about it. It's like the day before Christmas!
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

ok, thanks. Just about to head out. I like the not thinking about anything thing. ;D
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

Did anyone mention Yoga?
What about Yanni & 2-pac greatest hits duet?


Seriously, the only thing that helps relaxes me is a good deep massage. I love it when I get my back lightly scratched. ;)
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

I would suggest trying one or more of these exercises:
http://www.ahealingplace.org/meditation/medexercises.html

Check out my horror story: I played piano from 1st to 12th grade, and whenever I performed in front of people (mostly duets), especially at state competition, the excitement was impossible to overcome. Even though I knew we were good, the best there. As we began playing, my fingertips would go numb, followed by my hands (which would become cold, clammy and sweaty), moving up my arms to my shoulders. Couldn't feel what I was doing really. Just watching myself play, hoping to not screw up. Fortunately, muscle memory took over and the fingers just kept-a-movin. (Even though I could not calm myself down, I did learn to trust myself to perform. To be so well prepared that I would fall back on my training and practice to the point of being automatic.)

Meditation may be very effective for you, because you seem to have a lot of misplaced or excess energy that manifests in shakiness. Meditation might help you quiet your mind and focus your energy in your center of gravity (somewhere near your navel), not your extremities.

Also, be sure not to drink any caffeinated drinks up to several hours before you shoot. Perhaps a good workout beforehand would help as well. Don't be afraid to try a combination of these techniques.

I hope this helps in some way.
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

As a musician, I have seen MANY deal with anxiety with Beta Blockers. You need to get them from Dr.s I have NEVER used them myself.

Confidence in what you do and deep breathing works for me. Smoking USED to help too... but I've cut that out too.

I'll readdress -- Confidence in what you do... that doesn't make it easier, but does help you mask the "fear". Butterflies in your gut are helpful too. They let you know you really are getting engaged. Your mind is focusable -- focus on the task, not your body. You're body's telling you you are entering the zone... let it come.

Good luck,

CaptM
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

I prob really should get myself a little mp3 player or something. But it went fine. I had my shots all written down, I got to the location early, had everything ready before the "actors" got there, and walked thru some of the shots with my daughter. Once I got there and started working, all was well. At the very end, we went to the beach to shoot a couple things and I was out there for about twenty minutes. Didnt know until I turned around to head back to the car that about fifteen people were standing around watching us. THAT would have freaked me out had I known they were back there! haha!!!! If they only knew how amateur I really was! ;D
 
Re: Any good relaxation techniques?

Nervousness for me always comes through lack of confidence in what I'm doing. If I am doing it in front of a lot of people....Man I'm sweating and trembling. The only cure I have found is to repeat the process over and over successfully, in the end it becomes second nature. I used to get really nervous teching large events where one mistake can ruin the flow and the show. Today, though nervous about getting it right, I don't toss and turn the night before in dread of it, I check mentally that all my ducks are in a row and sleep like a baby. It was, for me, just doing it over and over till I was confident. So the answer is time and practice I guess....Or a big bottle of Vallium ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top