Darker Colors
If you have a lighter skin tone, pick colors that are darker so that you don't appear washed out. If you have a darker skin tone, the reverse is true - go with something lighter and brighter for contrast.
Over the Knee
If you're wearing a dress or skirt and your lower half will be in the shot, make sure it's long enough to cover your knees white sitting. This way you won't be worried (or worse- not worried!) about your leg position.
Long Sleeves
Wearing long sleeves is certainly not a requirement, but in the end, most people end up liking the way their arms look when they're a longer length.
Wear Loud Jewelry
Don’t wear clanky necklaces or bracelets; they can interfere with the mic and pick up unwanted noise.
Reflective + Neon
Steer clear of bright and vibrant hues such as lime green, neon pink, or electric blue, as well as anything reflective (think - sequins or anything transparent)
Tight Patterns
Choose clothing with subtle patterns or solid colors. Avoid tight patterns like narrow stripes or tiny dots, as they can create a moiré effect on camera, which appears as a distracting shimmering or wavy pattern.
don't
green screen
Bright Green
A bright green like these two options won't work, unfortunately. It's too close to the hue of the green screen itself and anything covered in this color choice will disappear.
Dark Green
A green that is darker like this example will be fine on a green screen. Because the pigment is so different than the green background's hue, you'll be just fine.
do
WANT TO LEARN more?
Contact amanda:
WARDROBE
for camera:
A GUIDE
As illustrated by
Catherine, Princess of Wales & Ryan Reynolds
After 20 years of on-camera interviews, I’ve learned that what not to wear can be just as crucial as what does work. Here’s a quick list of dos and don’ts to help you feel comfortable and choose what reads well on film. Have more questions? Drop me a note below!
Darker Colors
If you have a lighter skin tone, pick colors that are darker so that you don't appear washed out. If you have a darker skin tone, the reverse is true - go with something lighter and brighter for contrast.
Over the Knee
This tends to be more of an issue for women, but you can see that even when the framing hasn't been thought through very well, or the on screen male talent is "too" comfortable... the effect can be awkward. I will also go on record and say that there is NO way to look professional or un-awkward in high backed bar chairs. Please find another chair. Please.
Long Sleeves
Wearing long sleeves is certainly not a requirement, but in the end, most people end up liking the way their arms look when they're a longer length. Ryan wears a lot of jackets both on the red carpet and off - and it helps him to have an air of looking very "put together"
Wear Loud Jewelry
Turns out Ryan had a necklace era about 20-ish years ago. It's difficult to find images of him recently wearing anything so bulky. Perhaps part of the reason being that if you have a lavalier microphone clipped to your collar or jacket, it's going to hit the metal of your necklace when you move, creating a non-fixable sound issue in post.
Reflective + Neon
There's a reason it took me ages to find photos of a Ryan in neon, and none of him in glitter/sequins. It just doesn't play well on camera. I actually love his shirt in the second image, but it is distracting. My eye goes straight to that hot pink bar, which is not where I need to be looking when he's being interviewed.
Tight Patterns
See this weird wavy pattern on Ryan's shirt? Especially when you scroll up and down...? This is called moiré. It's becoming less of a problem with more advanced cameras whose resolution can handle challenges like this, but it's not a guarantee. I always encourage my clients to avoid tight stripes and patterns just in case.
don't
fin.
WARDROBE
for camera:
A men's GUIDE
As illustrated by
Ryan Reynolds
We want to help your audience focus where they'll get the most value out of your content - which is why these wardrobe decisions matter so much.
Here are some examples for the men-folk! Have questions? Drop me a note below!