Turn on your telly, because jack-of-all-trades Henck Conrey is back in the limelight. And this time it’s his long-awaited single that’s catching his fans’ attention.
Actor. Producer. Director. Content creator. Artist. And entrepreneur. Henck Conrey was born for the world of entertainment. Despite having graced our screens for the past 13 years, he admits that music has always been his first love… and that he most probably learned to sing before he could talk.
Although he enjoyed singing right through school, his parents insisted on his having a proper qualification behind his name so he studied law and right after that, ventured into the world of acting and presenting. It was only a few years later – seemingly by chance – that he rediscovered his love for singing.
“In 2012 I was cast in an award-winning musical, Goggas, and met actor and singer André Lotter. We instantly clicked and eventually started our own band, MAN. A few years later we released our first single. And now we’re excited to announce that we’ve released our second, Vuur en Vlamme (Fire and Flames).
“It’s a sensual track that explores the theme of the temptation you face when you’re attracted to someone you know isn’t right for you. The song promises to take the listener on an exciting journey through the complexity of love and desire.”
And, what better way to debut your own song than on your own reality TV show? KykNETS’s Fiks of Niks viewers were in for a real treat when they watched the first season’s second episode, which also featured Henck as a contestant.
It comes as no surprise that he was nominated for best presenter at the most recent kykNET Silwerskermfees for his ‘first born’ show, Vat jou goed en trek. The show essentially introduced the flamboyant presenter to people all around the country, and where he made his way from their television screens into their hearts. Fast forward a few years, and he’ll be celebrating the show’s 10th anniversary with the release of a coffee table book next year. How exciting!
Other than that, Henck is either in front of or behind the cameras of Reno Race on SABC1 and Dr.Nou on VIA. As if that’s not enough, he’s also a serious businessman and entrepreneur. Talk about a full plate! But, luckily for Henck, he’s always had an appetite for success!
“I would like to think that my passion shines through my work. I don’t consider what I do as a job but rather as a calling. I have never chased a paycheck or a sense of celebrity, but rather the value that these projects can contribute to society as a whole, as well as the contestants the shows serve.”
One thing’s for sure – there’s never a dull moment when you’re tuned into one of Henck’s songs or shows. He gives us a peek of what it’s like in the industry.
Details: Follow @henckconrey on Insta and Henck Conrey on Facebook.
Your fave part about the industry?
Being able to use the industry to help people in various ways. Whether it’s through aesthetic medicine (Dr.Nou) or renovating houses like on Reno Race and Vat jou goed en trek. And also with my new show, Fiks of Niks, helping people reach their personal health and fitness goals. Something I am also very proud of is that I am able to create opportunities within the South African industry for not only actors but crew members as well. I am blessed to be able to live out my passion of making television while also being of service to others. Talk about a win-win!
How do you decide which shows to produce?
I’ve always had a great affinity for anything related to beauty. I strongly feel that happiness is one of the purest forms of beauty whether it’s creating a gorgeous space that leaves a family feeling rejuvenated and as if they have a fresh lease on life, or changing the way a contestant sees themselves through aesthetic medicine. So, one could say I pursue projects that not only make me happy but bring joy to all those participating. My mother has always been my biggest supporter and my fairest critic. So, if my mom likes it I know I’m on the right track, haha.
Your most embarrassing moment on set?
Well, on Season 3 of Vat jou goed en trek, I made the mistake of picking up a contestant’s pet tortoise and long story short it urinated on me on national television.
What do you enjoy most about making music?
Honestly, I feel that singing and making music has always been a form of escapism for me. The manner in which you can express yourself in a way that words never could is something I find addictive.
How do you spend your free time?
I don’t have the luxury of a lot of free time, but when the moment presents itself, I love finding a nook and reading anything from biographies to self-help books. I recently finished The Covenant of Water by Dr. Abraham Verghese and I could not put it down! The works of Don Micheal Ruize and Eckachk Tolle are also some of my most inspiring authors.
Anything your fans can look forward to?
I can’t say too much about the most recent project we have been working on, but there is a new daily lifestyle program that I am extremely excited for. It tackles topics and themes that lie extremely close to my heart and that I am very passionate about.
You’re life motto?
If plan A doesn’t work out, there are still 25 letters left in the alphabet to make something work!
Must-use video editing tricks:
Choose a good video editing program. You need a tool that will make editing fast and intuitive, even for beginners, but still give you the results you want. Look for an easy-to-use editing tool designed for marketers. The right option will have plenty of drag-and-drop templates for different marketing needs.
Add subtitles. They make videos more accessible. Users don’t need the sound effects to get your message, whether they’re browsing on mute or they’re hearing-impaired. To really make things easier on yourself, choose a video editing software with automatic subtitling.
Use motion graphics and motion transitions. Fun, moving video effects are one of the best ways out there to add visual interest to your video. Graphics make your video dynamic and keep viewers’ eyes on the screen. Effects, such as splicing together video clips in engaging transitions, can stop things from getting boring, too.
Add music to enhance your message. It’s a powerful way to set the mood and up your video’s storytelling power. It can heighten your video’s emotional impact and create more of an experience for users.
Use high-quality stock media (if needed). Sometimes, you might need to add extra pictures and videos to better illustrate what you’re saying — especially if you’re explaining a complicated or abstract concept. But make sure you choose high-quality stock media or you risk bringing your whole video down.
Polish your outro and end with a CTA. If your intro is all about grabbing the viewer’s attention, then the outro is about telling them where to direct it next. If you’re not ending with a clear call to action, you’ve missed a golden opportunity!
5 Tips for shooting a pro video
Write a good script. If you expect people to listen, you need to know what you’re going to say! Preparing a script will help you deliver a clear message. Even for a short video. If you aren’t sure what makes for a good script, try reading it out loud before you start filming. Can you speak naturally, without stumbling over your words or feeling awkward?
Polish your intro. If there’s any part of your video that you should spend time on, it’s the beginning. If you don’t grab people’s attention immediately, they won’t keep watching. So right away, tell them what they’ll get out of watching your video. Make sure you’re promising value, especially if you can phrase it in a hooky or intriguing way.
Use good lighting. If your audience can’t see you clearly, there’s no reason for them to keep watching. Good lighting helps you highlight the key elements of your video and keep users’ attention where you want it. Natural light can work perfectly well if you can film at the right time of day in a room with as many windows as possible. You can also invest in a studio lighting setup, and there’s no need to spend a lot to get great results.
Use a clean background. Along with good lighting, a distraction-free background will help audiences focus on the content of your video. So, get that clutter out of the way!
Use a tripod. You need a tripod to make sure your image is stable, and your subject isn’t shaking around in the frame. Otherwise, your video will be confusing and annoying for viewers to watch.
How to be confident in front of the camera:
Being in front of a camera can be intimidating at first. But with the right skills, you will not only look like a natural, but you’ll also connect with your audience more effectively than ever. Here are some top tips to look and feel comfortable in front of the camera.
- Talk to yourself. In the car on your way to work, in the shower, while at home, maybe even at the grocery store if you don’t mind a few funny looks, pick a topic and just talk. The more you get used to hearing yourself speak, without interruption or input, the easier and more natural it will feel when it comes time to get the cameras rolling.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. It really does make perfect. Set your camera up, get the lighting right, and hit record. Just talk! Then watch your recording with a kind eye; it’s not easy being in the spotlight. Look for things to improve upon, such as your body language and facial expressions. These are easy fixes that go a long way.
- Find a familiar space. Finding a comfortable place to film in can make a world of difference! How often do you walk into a new building and feel 100% confident? Never! So, pick a space that you spend a lot of time in and refer back to number 2.
- Have a plan, but not a teleprompter. For camera-shy people, it’s easy to feel anxious. Mostly, the reason behind this is they have no idea what to say or how to put their best foot forward. Having a script may help you organize your thoughts, but don’t let that dictate you, be your authentic self in your videos.
- Dress for success. Pick an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself. Do your hair, makeup and maybe trim those nose hairs — that camera can get up close and personal. Whatever makes you walk out of the house and feel like a million bucks, do that! Confidence is always key.
- It’s not about you. It’s about what you have to say. We all get self-conscious about our appearance, but the people tuning in want to hear what you have to say. Their primary concern isn’t what you look like; rather, it’s the information and knowledge you have to share. Focus on the value of the message and information you are providing and so will everyone else.
- It’s OK if you mess up. The beauty of video formats like Facebook Live is that nobody expects it to be perfect. We are all human; nobody knocks it out of the park every single time and nobody expects you to either. So if you ever felt uncomfortable, or there’s a little voice convincing you to give up, chances are, you’re almost there!
Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET.
