![]() ![]() ![]() It is preferable to close the blinds or curtains on the windows to remove distractions for you and to prevent variations in the daylight, possibly from clouds passing before the sun, ruining your video. So turn on all the room lights and any lamps you have. The trick is create a diffuse, soft light. Unless you are an anonymous informant, being silhouetted is a bad look, as is having intense sunlight masking your features in a blinding white light. Somewhere away from road or street noise, where you can close all doors and windows and where Fido is out of earshot. So pick a location where you can limit extraneous noise. If your audience is awestruck by the extraordinary vocal range of your pet pooch as it wails for attention then they will not be giving their full attention to what you are saying. So when thinking about your location make sure the background is clean and uncluttered with no curiosities that could distract the audience. If your audience is wondering how you came to be in possession of the 16 th century Mycenaean funerary mask hanging on the wall behind you then they are not focussing on the message you are delivering. Ideally, you are looking to remove visual and audible distractions. It all starts with thinking about your location. Nevertheless, there are a few basic rules that, if followed, will make sure we can be seen, heard and communicate effectively. We don’t need to be as accomplished at presenting to a camera as Tony Jones or Leigh Sales to be an effective communicator via smart phone or webcam. You could also opt for the warts and all authenticity of a cinéma vérité approach to video, but that may distract from your message as viewers wonder why you look so scruffy, so crumpled and why it is that they are getting a fabulous view up both your nostrils! Sure, there are smart phone filters that can cleverly superimpose animal features onto video of a human face, but I wouldn’t recommend that as a presentation option for your next virtual investor roadshow. The truth of it is a camera dispassionately and without bias captures the reflected light from whatever is in front of it, be that a box of bananas or the CEO of a company. If you don’t believe me just think back over a few of the virtual video sessions we have all been enjoying as part of the COVID-19 inspired ‘new normal’. The cameras built into smartphones and laptops are amazingly sophisticated but are no guarantee that a video presentation will look good or be engaging. The camera never lies! A broad statement that still holds true despite the incredible advances in software to manipulate digital imagery. GILES RAFFERTY, Corporate Communications and Media Advisor ![]()
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