Anne Ready
LOS ANGELES – Whether you’re socially-conscious Kermit the Frog. Or inexperienced with being one-on-one to a camera…
Photo courtesy of The Guardian
It’s not as easy to be on-camera talent as broadcast journalists make it look! Talking to a camera lens or a desktop computer as though it was a person is not easy or natural. But with social distancing, being sheltered in place and working from home, it is becoming a necessity. Video conferences and conversations, to remote media and job interviews to presidential campaigns.
Take heart and some guidance from the folks at READY FOR MEDIA who have been coaching clients for remote interviews for decades.
• Pay attention to the background
• Create a backdrop or stage and a quiet space
• Sit up straight
• Be energetic
• Have a window or light source in front of you, not behind you
• Stand or sit on the edge of your chair, avoid sitting on your elbows or forearms
• Look at the camera or pinhole camera (not at your image on the screen) to give direct eye contact
• Study network news anchors for technique and wardrobe
• Dress appropriately, women in a bright, clear, solid color jacket or dress. Men in an open collar blue dress shirt and blazer
• Make sure of your facts
• Smile
• Gesture but don’t fidget. Avoid covering your face with your hands
• Arrange to be interviewed if possible vs. a lecture
• Have an agenda or plan to follow
• Acknowledge mistakes or gaffes with humor and humility
• Appreciate the up close and personal quality of one-on-one to camera