The prospect of been interviewed on video can be intimidating for a lot of people, but it doesn’t need to be, here are a some tips and techniques to help you prepare with confidence.
Firstly, It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake. You can do it again. Video producers are patient people; it’s their job to make you feel comfortable, however long that takes.
It also doesn’t matter if you use to many ums and errs, take to long to answer, cant think of an answer, stop mid sentence, everything is taken care of in the edit.
When you see the edited version of your interview, you will be delighted with how well you have articulated each and every point (whether you did or not). The editor is your friend.
Don’t memorize your lines.
Resist the temptation. Nothing comes across worse than a stiff interviewee who is trying to read a script in their head.
In preparation for your interview, instead of memorizing the words you want to say, just list the talking points and let the words come out naturally as the interviewer asks the questions.
Act Naturally
Just be yourself, have fun, be authentic and engage with the interviewer in conversation and you will soon forget that the camera is even there.
If you think of more things you’d like to say on a particular subject, just ask the interviewer if you can do that question again, then the editor can chose the best take.
Unless told otherwise, don’t look at the camera. Just concentrate on your conversation with the interviewer.
Clothes
In order to feel comfortable it’s important to wear comfortable cloths that you feel good and confident in.
The producers should tell you well in advance whether a suit and tie or more casual look is appropriate.
Color
The best colors for video are medium to darker tones, even black is good, but stay away from whites and reds.
Stripes
Don’t wear stripes. Both horizontal and vertical stripe can affect the video image and can make you look heavy on camera.
If you are filming using a green screen, don’t wear green.
Jewelery
In some cases jewelery can reflect into the camera lens. Occasionally it can cause sound problems, but in most cases jewelery is OK.
Glasses
If you wear glasses, make sure they are clean and free of fingerprints. If you don’t wear glasses all the time and are comfortable removing them, that’s good too.
Sunglasses are out! They hide the eyes are don’t let the audience to engage with you.
Hats
Generally speaking hats are out too. They create shadows on the face and don’t look good on camera.
Legal
You may be asked to sign a ‘Talent Release’ form, this just gives the video production company permission to use the video that’s been be recorded.
Standby please everyone, please check that you phones are off and we are rolling camera.
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At this point, all you need to concentrate on is the conversation that you’re having with the interviewer. Focus on getting your message across and expressing your views.
If you would like to discuss a question further before answering, no problem, take your time and ask them to repeat the question when you’re ready to go.
And remember, if you don’t like the answer you have given, request to answer it again and the editor can choose the better take.
After a little while I find that even the most nervous people begin to relax and become engaged in the conversation, so have fun, smile and be yourself.
The reason that you are on camera is that you have something important to say.
Firstly, It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake. You can do it again. Video producers are patient people; it’s their job to make you feel comfortable, however long that takes.
It also doesn’t matter if you use to many ums and errs, take to long to answer, cant think of an answer, stop mid sentence, everything is taken care of in the edit.
When you see the edited version of your interview, you will be delighted with how well you have articulated each and every point (whether you did or not). The editor is your friend.
Don’t memorize your lines.
Resist the temptation. Nothing comes across worse than a stiff interviewee who is trying to read a script in their head.
In preparation for your interview, instead of memorizing the words you want to say, just list the talking points and let the words come out naturally as the interviewer asks the questions.
Act Naturally
Just be yourself, have fun, be authentic and engage with the interviewer in conversation and you will soon forget that the camera is even there.
If you think of more things you’d like to say on a particular subject, just ask the interviewer if you can do that question again, then the editor can chose the best take.
Unless told otherwise, don’t look at the camera. Just concentrate on your conversation with the interviewer.
Clothes
In order to feel comfortable it’s important to wear comfortable cloths that you feel good and confident in.
The producers should tell you well in advance whether a suit and tie or more casual look is appropriate.
Color
The best colors for video are medium to darker tones, even black is good, but stay away from whites and reds.
Stripes
Don’t wear stripes. Both horizontal and vertical stripe can affect the video image and can make you look heavy on camera.
If you are filming using a green screen, don’t wear green.
Jewelery
In some cases jewelery can reflect into the camera lens. Occasionally it can cause sound problems, but in most cases jewelery is OK.
Glasses
If you wear glasses, make sure they are clean and free of fingerprints. If you don’t wear glasses all the time and are comfortable removing them, that’s good too.
Sunglasses are out! They hide the eyes are don’t let the audience to engage with you.
Hats
Generally speaking hats are out too. They create shadows on the face and don’t look good on camera.
Legal
You may be asked to sign a ‘Talent Release’ form, this just gives the video production company permission to use the video that’s been be recorded.
Standby please everyone, please check that you phones are off and we are rolling camera.
Â
At this point, all you need to concentrate on is the conversation that you’re having with the interviewer. Focus on getting your message across and expressing your views.
If you would like to discuss a question further before answering, no problem, take your time and ask them to repeat the question when you’re ready to go.
And remember, if you don’t like the answer you have given, request to answer it again and the editor can choose the better take.
After a little while I find that even the most nervous people begin to relax and become engaged in the conversation, so have fun, smile and be yourself.
The reason that you are on camera is that you have something important to say.
