Fun fact: when I first started McEwen Media in 2021, I thought my whole business would be helping people look better on Zoom.
We were still in lockdown (at a time when Toronto held the world record for longest lockdown in the world) waiting for vaccines. I thought video calls would be the norm in business and created an online course on how to set up a TV-quality shot at home.
I filmed it in my home on my laptop in between writing shifts at the CBC. I edited it myself. One day perhaps I'll re-record it for better production quality, but the information still stands. I share this advice with clients today on how to set up a better interview shot at home. Use this five-step lesson to deepen your understanding of how to set up your own Tiny TV studio for your next video appearance.
Step 1: Lighting.
The best camera and the fanciest background is only as good as the lighting you have in the room. Photography (even digital photography) is the capture of light onto a medium. The more light, the better the quality. In this video I share how to re-create studio lighting using what you already have:
Step 2: Camera angles
The "magic" of TV really comes down to camera angles - especially when it comes to recreating eye-contact. In this video I share how to frame up your face for maximum connection to your audience:
Step 3: Background
I have always used a real background. Mainly because the green screen technology on video platforms is not as sophisticated as I would like. And to make it look really good, you need the right background and a lot of light. So why not put that attention into setting up an attractive background?
TV shows know the power of an interesting background. For years TV has fought to catch and hold an audience's attention. Your background is highly effective at setting a scene for your audience and creating a connection:
Step 4: Set Styling
In this video I share my favourite set styling tips I learned from working on The Marilyn Denis Show.
Step 5: Audio
It's not enough to be seen, you also need to be heard loud and clear. Good audio is impossible to gauge on your own. In this video I share how to check your sound quality and recommend microphones that give you good sound and a clear picture.
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