You've been asked to present on video. You're a good public speaker, so you should do fine. Even so, there are special issues that arise when presenting on video. These things mostly deal with what you should wear, but there are also a few notes to keep in mind during your presentation. So read over the tips below, give them some thought, and then if you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us at (847) 364-7666 or info@2020communications.com.
#1 - PUT AWAY YOUR MICKEY MOUSE COSTUME
There are three colors you should avoid when dressing for video: black, white, and red. (Mickey Mouse was poorly dressed for video.) Video and film cameras do not have the same range of colors available to them as the human eye. They don't do well picking up the brightest of colors and the darkest of colors, like white and black. Red is a technical problem on VHS tape. This may be less of an issue if you intend to distribute on DVD or the internet, but it is best to just avoid red in case you ever change your mind.
#2 - DON'T WEAR YOUR ZEBRA COSTUME EITHER
Video also cannot discern fine detail the way that a human eyes does. Stripes, plaids, small patterns, and textured fabrics can all cause problems for a video camera. Solid colors and plain fabrics are recommended.
#3 - WEAR A BELT
The videographer or audio engineer is likely going to put a wireless microphone on you. Most microphone transmitters are made to clip onto your belt. If you can make sure that you're wearing a belt, or that your outfit has a waist band, it makes their job much easier. If they can't find a place to strap it on, they may have to tape it onto your back. So be forewarned!
#4 - DON'T BUMP THE MICROPHONE
Many people use their hands when the talk. And that's fine, as long as while your hands are flailing they don't hit the microphone. When you bump the microphone, it makes a loud scratching sound. At best this is annoying, and at worst it may render what you are saying indiscernable. This often happens when a presenter holds up an object for the audience to see. So always be aware of your mic!
#5 - DON'T HOLD UP OBJECTS
Speaking of holding up objects, try not to do it. A common practice in presentations is to hold up an object while you talk about it, and then pass it around for everybody to get a closer look. This really isn't the best tactic for presentations, but its a terrible tactic for video presentations. The cameraman will have a difficult time getting a decent picture of the object from the back of the room, and while the live audience will have the opportunity to see it up close the video audience will have no such chance. If you must hold up an object, be sure to hold it very still and for longer than you generally would to give the cameraman a fighting chance at capturing your object on tape.
#6 - REPEAT THE QUESTIONS
Unless microphones are set up to record your audience, you should assume that the camera will not be able to hear any questions the audience asks. Because of this, you should always repeat the question in your answer. So when asked, "What are the benefits of your program?" a good response would begin, "The benefits of my program are..." This is also a good rule of thumb when being interviewed. Generally the interviewer will not plan for his or her questions to be heard in the final edit, so your responses will need to include the questions.
#7 - BE CAREFUL WITH OVERHEADS AND POWERPOINT™
There are a few things to consider when preparing your overhead slides or your PowerPoint presentations for video. The first is to use large fonts. Small fonts and detailed charts can become nearly unreadable to people in the room, and they're even worse for the video camera at the back of the room. The color rules used on clothing apply to these slides as well; no white, black, red, stripes or patterns. Finally, keep important information away from the edge of the slide. Different video monitors cut different amounts off the edges of a video signal, so information at the edge of a slide may be lost on a video monitor later. If you need any help with this, we offer the service of creating your PowerPoint presentation, or just adjusting your current one.
Well, that's it. Nothing too overwhelming, we hope. Just seven steps to making your presentation translate smoothly onto video. If you have any other questions, we're just a phone call or an email away. Now all you need to do is write your speech!
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