How Do I Portray My Character More Convincingly in Online Sessions?

Online roleplay demands a different kind of presence. Around a physical table, your posture, gestures, and small expressions fill in the gaps. On camera, all of that shrinks into a rectangle - and a surprising amount of nuance gets lost. Many players describe feeling “flatter” online, even when they’re usually expressive in person.

While challenging, portraying a character convincingly through a webcam is about using the digital space deliberately rather than letting it work against you.

Here’s how to close that gap.

Start by Setting Your Frame With Intention

The camera decides what the other players see, so take a minute to set up a frame that suits the character you’re playing.

Just a few thoughtful choices would make an incredible impact: 

• How close do you sit to the camera?

• Do you look straight into it, or slightly off to the side?

• Does your posture match the energy of the character?

Even simple changes shift how your performance reads. A stoic character sits differently than a jumpy one. A confident character tends to hold the camera’s center. A cautious one may stay slightly angled.

You don’t need to exaggerate anything. Small adjustments carry well through the lens.

Let Your Face Do More of the Work

In online sessions, your face becomes the main storytelling tool. You don’t need big expressions - but you do need clarity. Think of it as giving your fellow players something to read, the same way you’d give them something to react to at the table.

Try this approach:

• Let your eyes settle before you speak

• Hold your expression for half a beat longer than usual

• Give reactions room to register on your face

These are subtle choices, but they make the character feel more grounded on camera. The goal isn’t to “act” more - it’s to let small reactions be visible long enough for others to pick up on them.

Use Visual Consistency to Reinforce Identity

In a real session, people can sense your character through your posture, your presence, your vibe. Online, those cues need a visual assist.

This is where many players feel the strongest difference when using Faes AR. Seeing your character’s visual layer on screen - from textures to clothing to atmosphere - means you’re not relying purely on imagination to carry the performance. The camera captures a version of you that aligns with who you’re trying to portray.

When the visual matches the intention, credibility happens naturally. You don’t have to “sell” the character - the on-screen reflection already supports it.

If you’re curious about the philosophy behind the tech, the team explains their approach here:About Faes

Slow Your Movements Slightly

Fast or jittery movements tend to vanish on camera, especially on compressed video feeds. Slowing your physical reactions by even 10-15% makes them more readable.

Examples:

• A cautious glance instead of a quick dart

• A deliberate nod instead of a fast bob

• A measured pause before a decision

These are the kinds of micro-details that make a character feel convincing even through a small frame.

Build a Small Pre-Session Ritual

Actors do this. Streamers do it. GMs do it.A short ritual helps you slip into the right mindset before the session starts.

Two minutes is enough:

• Sit in the character’s posture

• Read one of their core beliefs or flaws

• Say one line of dialogue as them, just to warm up

• Adjust your camera so your framing matches the character’s energy

And if you’re using Faes AR, load the overlay and let yourself react to it. Seeing the character reflected back at you has a grounding effect before the roleplay even begins.

You can preview everything through the Faes AR Portal and pick up the app directly here:store.faes.ar

Focus on Connection, Not Performance

Convincing roleplay isn’t about being the most dramatic person on the call. It’s about reacting honestly to what’s happening in the scene. When you pay attention to your party’s expressions, tone, and energy, your character naturally feels more authentic.

Online play sometimes tricks us into thinking the camera demands “more.” In reality, it just needs clearer intention and a stronger visual anchor.

Once those are in place, the rest of the performance settles into place naturally - and the character feels convincingly alive on screen.