May 9, 2025

Nine years ago, I was releasing the third season of my artist video series, Beyond the Gallery.

Going into making that season, I wanted to do something I’d never done before — put myself on camera.

Not just as the filmmaker behind-the-scenes, but as part of the story so that I could connect more with the people watching.

And I was terrified.

Up until that point, the only time I’d ever been on camera was for my Kickstarter video earlier on for Beyond the Gallery.

The idea of showing up regularly — of being seen — felt really vulnerable to me.

So I gave myself a simple challenge:

To record myself talking on camera three times a day for one week.

It did not matter what I was saying, I was not going to use it for anything, that wasn’t the point.

What I was attempting to do was start to normalize a little bit what it feels like for me to talk on camera.

I set three alarms on my phone: Morning, mid-day, evening.

Every time one went off, I’d open my camera app, press record, and talk.

Just for 30 seconds.

No pressure. No reviewing. No posting.

I never used that footage for anything.

But the end result helped shift what it felt like in my body to talk on camera.

And no exaggeration — that simple practice changed everything for me.

That’s what I want to offer you too:

A gentle starting place. No pressure. No performance. Just practice.

I’m teaching a live workshop next week:

☀️ Studio Diaries Made Simple

To document. To normalize recording. To feel the courage already inside you. To practice that supports your art.

📅 May 14th at 4pm ET on Zoom — Replay included.

🎟️ $17 USD early bird price (increases tonight May 9th)

→ https://readytorecord.com/studio-diaries​

You don’t have to do anything with the footage.

You don’t have to be ready to share.

You just need a way to begin.

And I’ll be there to guide you through it.

Warmly,
–Zach

P.S. This is one of the exact kinds of practice I now teach inside Ready to Record. But next week’s workshop is the perfect first step — especially if you’ve been sitting on the edge of showing up and just need someone to walk with you as you begin. ☀️