Olivine’s guide to being on camera
Congrats — you’re going to be a star! Whether you are being interviewed for a case study or sharing your company’s story, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. At Olivine, our goal is to make you and your brand shine. The best way to do that is to put you at ease by treating our interviews as organic conversations. Here’s what you can expect and how to show up as your best on film day.
01. But first, remember why you were chosen to be on camera
It’s natural to feel intimidated. Once you step onto set and are surrounded by the lights, equipment and people, everyone gets intimidated at first. It’s important to remember that you’re the star of the production for a reason. You are bringing your unique story, insight or expertise on the topic we’re covering that day. It becomes much easier to forget about the camera and other people watching once you start speaking about a topic you deeply care about. When we worked with Larry Gadea, CEO at Envoy, we found that he was most energized when he talked about the new technology they were developing. It came easiest for him to talk about the future vision for the company. While you’ll want to prepare and know your talking points, it’s also just as important not to over-prepare. Our best advice is to relax, show up, and tell your story.
02. Ask for you what you need to feel comfortable
In order for the interview to feel like an easy-going and organic conversation, we always start with making you feel comfortable on set. Be empowered to ask for what you need to be more at ease (without going full Mariah Carey). For example, if you are reading from a teleprompter, let the crew know if you can see it clearly. We can change fonts, colors and sizes to make it easier to read. Ask for adjustments to the lighting if it’s too bright, adjust your chair, and ask for breaks when you need to have a drink or snack.
03. Imagine you’re talking to a friend
His name is Dave, our talented interviewer at Olivine. Imagine you’re having a one-on-one conversation with just Dave. You aren’t speaking to an auditorium or to the “world” projected through the camera. As time progresses, you’ll eventually forget about the camera, the crew, and the lights. It may feel awkward in the beginning but it will get easier as you start talking and push through it.
Just like having a conversation with a friend, you can speak naturally and in your own voice. You don’t need to talk louder, faster, or adopt a whole new vocabulary. People respond to authenticity, so be yourself and that will shine through. Tobenna Arodiogbu, CEO of CloudTrucks, came alive when channeling the mission of his company about serving the unmet needs of truck drivers. Just like conversations with friends, you’ll naturally go on tangents. Tangents are encouraged. The final product will be carefully edited with the right story beats and sound bites we need to capture, so the more content we gather, the better.
04. Embrace the art of the pause
On the point of tangents, sometimes you’ll get flustered or lose your train of thought in the middle of the interview. This is a good opportunity to pause to help yourself get back on track. You’re empowered to take a moment to collect your thoughts, ask questions, or repeat your answers. Taking a sip of water in between questions is also a helpful soothing technique as you think through what you want to say. All of these techniques might feel awkward in the moment but it won’t look that way after editing.
05. Look like your best self
Most likely your biggest question - what am I going to wear? At Olivine, we like to keep it comfortable and casual. For more specific guidance, blues, greens and other warm tone colors work great. Try to avoid black, white, stripes and patterns because they don’t come across as well on camera. If you choose to wear makeup, matte makeup is better for the camera than shimmer or gloss. Glasses can also be tricky because of the light’s reflection, so it’s best to avoid wearing them that day if possible. The most important thing is to wear what makes you feel most confident and comfortable, so that you can focus on the interview without having to worry about adjusting your outfit throughout the day.
We hope this guide puts your nerves at ease. Keep in mind that this experience doesn’t have to be intimidating. This is your time to shine, so breathe and focus on having a good time! That’s what will come through on the camera and what viewers will connect with most.
