Social distancing and working from home have become standard operating procedure for most of us during the COVID-19 outbreak.  That means video conferencing (via Zoom, Skype, Teams, Facetime, etc.) with teammates, clients and even the media is an essential component of the workday.

At 4media group, we consistently design sets for satellite media tours and video production projects.  Below are a few suggestions to ensure a successful video call, both visually and technically, whether you’re in your home office or working from your kitchen table.

  • Make sure the camera is level: You want to avoid those unflattering “selfie” shots – the kind that occur when your chin is elevated too high or is down too far towards your chest. Adjust the height of your laptop or computer so the camera is level with your eyes or slightly higher.
  • Give yourself some light: The room should be lit evenly and brightly. The light illuminating your face shouldn’t be too harsh or too dim, and always take care to ensure you’re not backlit. For example, don’t sit with a window directly behind you or in the frame of your shot.
  • Center yourself in the screen:Make sure you’re not cutting off the top of your head or your chin, and you’re not over too far to the left or the right. Angle your screen or back away from your laptop. You want to be seen from the middle of your stomach to the top of your head, but without crowding the top of the frame.
  • Clean up your background: Make sure you’re not showcasing a messy room.  Sit with your back at least 4-6 feet from any wall, and if you’re not speaking from a home office try to have a bookcase, fireplace, or organized shelving in the background for a more professional appearance. Avoid sitting in front of a blank wall.
  • Check that your camera lens is clean:Use a soft wipe or towel with a little Windex if needed.
  • Check your appearance in the webcam ahead of time: Even though you’re at home, you are working. It’s important that you have a professional appearance. Put yourself together the same way you would if you were going into the office and give yourself a once-over in front of the camera before connecting to the video call.
  • Sit up straight:Your mother was right – no one looks good when they’re slouching. Additionally, sitting up can help bring up your energy level.
  • Look at the lens:Don’t stare at your own image. Resist the temptation and look at the lens. Otherwise, your eyes will look slightly off focus.
  • Make sure you have a stable internet connection: Last thing you want is for the video call to cut off before you’ve finished or have technical hiccups like buffering or audio sync problems. It’s wise to check your connection before the call if possible and if you’re experiencing stability issues, see if you can use a different network.  If all else fails, you can try to connect through your cell phone’s hotspot.

4media group’s new, fully virtual satellite media tours utilize the best of video conferencing capabilities. Contact us if you have any questions about a potential SMT or livestreaming event.