Media opportunities are more plentiful now than ever before, due to the introduction of social media and more media outlets in general.
Many professionals have been or may be asked to give an interview on camera about their expertise. Therefore, this post covers body language strategies for in-person standing camera video interviews.
First Impressions
First impressions play an important role in interview effectiveness. Starting with a professional appearance and eye contact with the other person at the beginning should be accompanied by smiling at the beginning, when excited, and at the end. A real smile takes more time to start and finish and has more symmetry. It also consists of tightening the orbicularis oculi muscles, leading to raised cheeks, dropped eyelids, and wrinkled skin beside the eyes (crow’s feet). Smiling too much can (unfairly) lead to perceptions of women appearing less intelligent.
Environment
Standing for a camera video interview has more body language advantages than sitting, by enabling better breathing, a better camera angle, and more confidence. Standing is even better for phone interviews than sitting. Before a standing interview, observe where both people will stand beside each other and the surroundings to limit distractions such as crosswalks, plants or trees behind one’s head, or objects that appear to extend from your head. Have the light source behind the camera, in front of your face.
Posture
One should stand up straight with feet shoulder-length apart and one foot slightly forward to prevent swaying; just as importantly, keep arms and hands at your sides when not gesturing. Look a little off camera, making eye contact with the reporter or the last person who asked the question in a group setting for an engaging conversation, breaking eye contact to the side only sparingly, all while ignoring the camera. The audience wants to watch a conversation between the people on screen rather than looking at the camera.
Eye Contact
Try using the triangle method to maintain eye contact with the other person’s face by varying your eye contact by looking at either eye and then moving eye contact downward toward their mouth. Speak concisely, louder than usual, and with vocal variety.
Gesturing
Gesturing can help with communication effectiveness. Having a combination of nonverbal behaviors can increase media communication effectiveness, especially when used with consistency. Prior to gesturing, have your hands together slightly above your waist to communicate calmness, and then raise your hands between your waist and chest when gesturing. One nonverbal behavior that can be exhibited is the “sand pinch” gesture that squeezes together the index finger and thumb to emphasize important points.
Nonverbal Behaviors to Avoid
Avoid head nodding, indicating you understand or are ready for the next question, because it might be taken as agreement. Head nodding does not help rapport building nor recalling details for standing TV interviews.
Avoid touching your face or mouth because it might be interpreted as deception. Avoid higher blink rates that people often have when nervous on TV, overcome a tendency to clamp your lips in order to enable naturally speaking motions, withhold nervous laughter, and do not display an asymmetrical smile.
Microphone Utilization
Effectively using a microphone is essential for quality standing camera video interviews. Some context considerations beforehand are surrounding noises, lighting, accessibility, and preventing other people from infiltrating the shot. A handheld microphone is most common for a standing interview because it is directional to capture a speaker’s voice and limit background interference.
The journalist holding the microphone directs the conversation, such as who talks, whether questions are answered completely, and the rhythm of the conversation. The microphone should be held with a steady arm firmly with your dominant hand, in your palm where the grate meets the stick, at a 45-degree angle, and one to three inches away from the speaker’s mouth.
There is no need to lean but rather extend and angle it to the mic-point for directing who speaks. When resting the microphone, it should be near your chest when nobody is speaking, and be sure to prevent it from being taken away at any time. Regarding controlling the conversation, if you are ever caught by a reporter performing an ambush or hostile interview, consider standing closer to them and using a light touch on the arm with a smile to reduce its effects.
The microphone should always be below the speaker’s mouth and lips, around the chin area. As the speaker’s head moves, so should the microphone to pick up their voice, but also because the audience reads lips. Only the free hand should be used to gesture; the one holding the microphone should be steady. Lastly, make sure the media logo on the microphone is aimed toward the camera.