Here are some things you
should keep in mind when a
television camera is trained
on you:
TELEVISION & VIDEOTAPE
TIPS
* Gestures should be smaller.
* Make sure clothing is "broken
in" and comfortable when
you are sitting and standing.
* Prior to your performance,
have instant photos or video
taken of you while sitting
and standing. Make sure your
clothes look good in both
positions.
* Find out the background
color of the set if possible.
You don't want your clothing
to blend in and make you invisible.
* Ask the producer for wardrobe
color suggestions.
* Do not wear any clothing
with tight patterns or pin
stripes. This causes an optical
illusion called a moiré
pattern which makes you look
bad.
* Avoid clothing with large
patterns or geometric shapes.
The audience will watch your
clothes instead of you.
* Avoid wearing black, white,
or red on television or video.
Even the best of cameras have
trouble with these colors.
* Avoid flashy jewelry. It
reflects light.
* Avoid jangly jewelry. It
reflects light and makes noise
that will be picked up by
your microphone (this applies
whether you are on TV or not).
* Wear your eyeglasses if
you want, but avoid shiny
frames.
* Tip the bows of your eyeglasses
up slightly off your ears.
This angles the lenses down
to reduce glare from lights.
* Wear makeup. It has the
practical purpose of reducing
the glare of TV lights.
* Apply it to all exposed
body parts, like backs of
hands, arms, neck, etc. Apply
cover-up below eyes to mask
bags and/or wrinkles.
* Good studios are kept cool
to negate the effect of the
hot TV lights. You may freeze
for a while until the lights
are turned on, then you may
burn up. Dress for the heat,
but bring a jacket or extra
cover-up to be used while
you are waiting to go on.
* Bring a handkerchief or
tissues to dab perspiration
during breaks.
* Don't second guess the
camera. Act as if you are
always on screen.
* Make sure your makeup,
wardrobe, and hair are consistent
with your message.
MEN
* Wear knee-length socks.
* Always keep double breasted
jackets buttoned.
* Single breasted jackets
can be opened, but not too
wide.
* I SAY AGAIN Wear Makeup.
TV lights can penetrate several
layers of skin. You can't
possibly shave close enough
to prevent whiskers from showing
without makeup.
* Don't forget makeup on
receding hairlines or bald
heads.
Trick: Run the thin part
of your tie through the loop
in the back of the main part
of your tie then clip the
thin part to your shirt below
the loop. This will keep your
tie perfectly centered without
the tie clip showing.
WOMEN
* Don't wear vivid red lipstick
or lip gloss. Stick to softer
tones and dab lips with a
little powder.
* Consider dress shields
if you perspire easily.
* Make sure your hair will
stay where you want it. You
don't want to be fooling with
it while on the air.
* Make sure a lavaliere or
lapel microphone and transmitter
can be attached to your clothing.
Lillian Brown has written
the best resource I know of
on the topic of appearing
on television. It's called
'Your Public Best: The Complete
Guide to Making Successful
Public Appearances in the
Meeting Room, on the Platform
and on TV' (Newmarket Press:
New York 1989).
VIDEOCONFERENCING
* If possible prior to the
videoconference, send remote
location participants handouts,
copies of agenda, and copies
of visuals.
* Try to get someone else
to operate the camera and
other equipment. Have them
shoot close up if possible.
With more than one presenter,
if you leave the camera on
wide angle, the viewers will
have trouble picking out who
is talking.
* Periodically ask for feedback
from the remote sites. Your
chances for misunderstanding
multiply when communicating
electronically.
* Remember assume you are
always on camera. Use the
mute button for your microphone
if you must converse off the
main program.
Copyright © 1998 - 2005
Advanced Public Speaking Institute
Tom Antion provides entertaining
speeches and educational seminars.
He is the ultimate entrepreneur,
having owned many businesses
BEFORE graduating college.
Tom is the author of the best
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book "Wake 'em Up Business
Presentations" and "Click:
The Ultimate Guide to Electronic
Marketing." It is important
to Tom that his knowledge
be not only absorbed, but
enjoyed. This is why he delivers
his speeches laced with great
humor and hysterical jokes.
Tom has addressed more than
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