A quick guide by Nancy Gifford & Rio Summers
So, you’ve decided to enter the Premier Unbelievable? Youth Preaching Prize at Spring Harvest 2026! We look forward to receiving your entry before 20th March 2026.
There is £125 for the winner. This year, we are only able to hold the competition at Minehead. There are also two second prizes of £50. All will receive some books, some coaching, and some will have the opportunity to speak on stage at the Spring Harvest event.
Talk Brief: Love Your Neighbour
Bible Verse: Mark 12. 30-31.
Remember, your aim is to challenge, encourage and equip people to enter into God’s greater story. This is not a film-making test! We want you to prepare and deliver a message of no more than five minutes. It needs to be your work. We want to see the way you communicate as well as your content.
Prepare what you want to say. Don’t forget to have a clear beginning, middle, and end to your talk, and to use an illustration and a Bible quote! We look forward to hearing what you have to say. Once you have planned what you want to say:
• Record your talk on a phone and send it by WhatsApp to 07882 789805. (Ask permission from the owner of the phone; we’ll use this number to continue to communicate.)
• Don’t forget to include your name, age, email address and the town where you live, with the video. The deadline is 20th March 2026. Thank you for taking part. We hope you enjoy it.
1. Settings
Record on a smartphone if you can. If you are using an iPhone 8 or above, please change your video recording settings to: Go to Settings > Camera > Record Video, and make sure you select 4K at 30fpsFraming
2. Framing
Framing is important. Prop up your camera at eye level. Or ask someone to hold the phone vertically to film you. The picture should show you from the waist up, with a little bit of space around your head and body. Ask the person recording the video to stand back to a minimum of 60cm. Alternatively, you could use a tripod and film yourself by pressing record and then sitting/standing in the frame. You would need to practice and check a short clip before you record the whole talk. Always make sure you are looking directly into the camera lens, so your eyeline is not looking up or down.
3. Think about what we can see behind you and avoid background noise.
Stand or sit in front of a relatively clear background and go somewhere quiet. Can we hear you and see you well enough in the space you’re filming? If you are at home, try sitting facing a window, not with your back to it. If you are outside, can we hear you above the wind or traffic noise?
4. Make sure your background isn’t too distracting!
Whilst the background is important in framing your video, you are still the main subject! So, you don’t want to get lost in a chaotic or busy scene. Aim for quiet locations, whether that be at home or outside.
5. Lighting
A simple rule is film yourself facing the light! This could mean facing a window, or an open doorway, or, if outside, facing towards the sun, not away from it. If your light source is behind, you will end up in shadow.
6. It’s all about the eyes
The eyes are key to engaging with viewers. Don’t be shy; make sure you look straight into the camera lens as you speak. Don’t wear sunglasses, please. Be careful on windy days not to have too much hair in your face or covering your eyes - you don’t want to be clearing your face the whole time.
7. Don’t forget to smile
A smile can say a thousand words and shape your tone when applicable. It is an unspoken welcome for any viewer.
8. What do I do with my hands?
Everyone asks this - the best option if you’re feeling self-conscious is to choose a place or object for your hands…. place them on your lap, in your pockets, hold your hands together, or hold a prop (a book you’re reading from, your notebook, or something relevant to your words). If you are referring to notes, place them just above the camera, so we hardly notice them. You may want to use a music stand or have some cue cards or notes to glance down at – but if you have prepared well, they should only be to jog your memory. You are not being asked to read an essay.
