So, you’re about to make your video debut. Whether it’s for your company or a product that you created, you want to look and feel your absolute best. Here are the three things you need before the cameras are rolling.
1. Practice in the Mirror
If you’re not familiar with watching yourself on camera, the best thing you can do is get in front of a mirror to run through lines. Even if there’s not a set script, have a conversation with yourself and see what naturally occurs. You may notice that you have a habit of always shrugging when you get nervous or that you constantly touch your hair in between lines.
It can be hard for some people to practice this way, but the more familiar you are with looking at yourself in the mirror, the easier it will be to see yourself on camera.
You want to capture your best self on your video, and not everything can be fixed in post-production, so take the extra ten minutes in front of the mirror to get it right.
2. Warm up on set
Often times, people think that they don’t need to run through the script or run of show when the crew is present, but that’s the best time to do it. Seasoned professionals even walk through a scene or script before the cameras are rolling.
It clears the cobwebs and allows you to picture yourself in front of the cameras and under the lights.
Anne Hathaway warming up
Even if you’ve been in front of the camera before, it’s a good habit to get into–walk through what you’re doing and where you’re going. Often times, this is where questions start to emerge, and scripts are adjusted. It’s one thing to read over a script, but quite another to say it out loud in front of other people. Think of how many times you’ve read aloud an email you or someone else wrote and thought, “That doesn’t really make sense.”
By rehearsing on set, you increase the chances of exposing any potential missteps when the cameras are rolling and can help to eliminate wasting time because you weren’t warmed up and ready to go.
3. Have Water and Chapstick on Hand
People often forget how parched they can become by talking excessively under bright lights. Water can often be found on set, but by bringing your own, you can ensure that you will absolutely have some before and in-between takes.
Also, Chapstick will not only help you look more polished on camera, but it will make it easier to run through lines again and again. It will also help you to avoid licking your lips which can be distracting in the final video.
BONUS: When thinking of your wardrobe, stick to solids and neutrals such as black, gray, green, dark blue and pastels while avoiding colors like white and red and distracting patterns. Makeup should be clean and simple—avoid glitter and any loud colors. Having your hair out of your face is also a necessity—we want to see you and don’t want you distracted because your hair keeps falling in your eyes.
Oh, and last but not least—have fun. When you’re on set, you should be enjoying yourself, and if you’ve done the preparation beforehand, the production day will be a breeze.
