So you’re going to be on camera? That’s exciting! And a little nerve-wracking. You want to look smart, polished, and confident, like you’ve done this a thousand times. Knowledgeable, not stilted. Interested, but relaxed. Whether you know well in advance or whether you simply stepped in line during a conference, there are a few things you can do to present your best during your 30 seconds of fame.
Part I
Looking good on-screen – Let’s begin with the easy part. There are a few things you want to pay attention to so that you look your best.
1) Choose plain coloured clothing. Patterns, especially thin stripes, and high colour contrasts (like black and white) can cause strange movements on video.
Here, the clothing is non-distracting. Viewers are paying attention to your face and what you are saying.
If viewers are looking at the weird things your shirt does on screen, they have no idea what you’re talking about.
A colour that complements your skin tone will show you off to best effect. Consider a burgundy scarf or necktie to reflect colour in your face.
2) Leave out the hats and shades. We want to see your face! Hats shadow the top half of your head; sunglasses block out your eyes completely. People are wired to get a feeling about others by looking at their eyes. When viewers are blocked from doing that, they are less likely to trust or understand what you say.
3) Sit up straight! Just like your mother told you. Good posture makes you look interested and confident. It’s tempting to sink into the chair to try to feel more relaxed, but resist that temptation. Nice and tall now.
4) Where to look? Hopefully, the videographer will have some advice in this regard. Generally, you want to look at the interviewer (who will be sitting off to the side of the camera) rather than directly into the camera or around the room. Some exceptions include pleas or calls to action, where you would want to talk into the camera as if you are in the same room as the viewer.
5) Finally, smile! Unless the subject you are talking about is very sombre, remember to smile! Not only will it relax you, but the transformation is amazing.
Read Part II of ‘Preparing for an Interview.’
Read Part III of ‘Preparing for an Interview.’
View some interviews filmed by Digital Cyclops in a variety of video types:
Community Care Licensing Program
ACEI Global Summit on Childhood
