By Anna Hovind
In the old days, say, 15 years ago, most mere mortals rarely, if ever, got their chance to be on TV. That was pretty much the realm of actors, actresses, professional athletes, reality show stars and TV anchors and reporters.
Not anymore.
Today, virtually anyone can be seen by hundreds, and potentially millions of viewers if their video goes viral. So, as someone who spent the better part of 2 decades in front of a TV camera, my mission in this blog is to share my top professional pointers on putting your best face forward when the camera starts rolling.
Here are five of my favorite tips to help you look and sound your best on screen whether it’s for professional or personal use.
1. Put on a happy face. Ever wonder why TV news anchors always look so great? Aside from their natural good looks, anchors know that a big smile helps them put their best face forward. Ditto for make-up. For women looking to be on their own video or even a Skype call, this means the requisite foundation, blush, lipstick and mascara. For guys, it can be as simple as a little translucent face powder to keep your forehead or chrome dome from blinding the viewer. A little tinted powder can also tamp down your 5 O'clock shadow, unless, of course, it’s part of your look.
2. Avoid wardrobe malfunctions. As Janet Jackson can tell you, a wardrobe misstep can be a major distraction from your performance. So unless you’re covering the VMA’s, leave the sequins or that low-cut dress in your closet. I’ve found that medium-range blues, greys, pinks and jewel tones work really well on camera. Avoid pure black, pure white, bright neon colors, tiny stripes or wild patterns. Simple and tasteful beats trendy and tacky every time.
3. Check your rearview. Think about what's in the background of your video. Be proactive to avoid embarrassing photo-bombs by wandering dogs, cats or assorted family members on your next Skype video chat or Google hangout with your boss or an important client. It's also a good idea to think about your home or office decor. Are there any pictures, plants, lamps, etc. directly behind you? The last thing you want is for the person on the other side of the screen to be distracted by that lamp that looks like it’s sitting on your shoulder, or the palm tree that’s sprouting from the top of your head.
4. You light up my life. Lighting is something that we pay great attention to in the television studio, yet many Skype users and home video creators tend to overlook this one critical piece of the video equation. Look at your image on the screen. Check to see where the lighting is coming from. Ideally, you want your face to be the place that's illuminated the most. Elements in the background, not so much. Avoid sitting with a sunny window behind you, because back-lighting will overpower the camera lens, leaving you in the dark. Unless you’re a Bond villain, this isn’t a good look.
5. Quiet on the set. The one thing that's worse than bad lighting, is having a perfect video ruined by screeching sirens or the roar of jet engines overhead. I actually worked on a project once where the talent was taping an interview and I could distinctly hear the wail of a train whistle in the background. Avoid the noise by recording in a quiet or soundproof space. For those of you working from home, other audio no-no's to consider are barking dogs, crying babies or people carrying on a conversation in the background. You don't want to compete with these things to just be heard, to say nothing of throwing off your concentration or coming across as amateurish.
Keep these five tips in mind the next time you get in front of a video camera, and I promise that you'll be pleased with the results. Who knows, you may even become the next viral video superstar.
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