Appearing on TV Tips

If you are going to appear on television:

What to wear:

• Wear solid colors. Pastel shades or off-white for shirts and blouses. No tight pin stripes or very dark suits.
• Don't wear red or white socks. Be sure your socks are long enough to cover the calf when your legs are crossed.
• Don't wear shiny, loud or distracting jewelry or overwhelming scarves.
• No sunglasses or photosensitive glasses.
• Makeup for men: Wear makeup if you have a dark beard, a tendency toward 5 o'clock shadow, a high forehead or a receding hairline. Brush face with corn silk or translucent pressed powder to help reduce shine and perspiration. Paper (not tissue) also helps absorb oil.
• Makeup for women: Routine street makeup is adequate. Avoid too red lipstick, lip gloss and keep it the same color as your tongue to look natural. Avoid natural color eye shadow. Keep it light, and avoid the kind that shimmers.
• Apply cover-up below eyes to mask bags and/or wrinkles.
• Good studios are kept cool to negate the effect of the hot TV lights. You may freeze for a while until the lights are turned on, then you may burn up. Dress for the heat, but bring a jacket or extra cover-up to be used while you are waiting to go on.
• Bring a handkerchief or tissues to dab perspiration during breaks.
• Don't second-guess the camera. Act as if you are always on screen.

How to look and act:

• Smile. TV accentuates good and bad facial features. One technique that models use: Press your tongue against your top teeth when you smile (assuming you aren't talking!).
• To loosen up your face, concentrate on your forehead. If you have a mustache, you need to invest extra effort in facial gestures.
• Sit up straight and on the edge of your seat to emphasize not only enthusiasm but also the best posture. When you sit back comfortably, you will look like you are slouching.
• Cross your legs away from the camera.
• Don't shift your eyes, even during questioning.
• If standing, avoid movement. One technique is to point one foot forward and put your weight on that foot, leaning toward the mike.

How to use the microphone

• Talk over your lavaliere microphone. (If the interviewer is on the right, have the mike pinned on the right-hand side of your shirt or blouse.)
• Before the interview, a technician will ask you to speak into the microphone so he can set audio levels. On this audio check, make sure you are speaking at your usual voice level.

If you are going to be interviewed for television:

• Look at the interviewer, not the camera.
• Make responses colorful and short. Ten to 25 seconds may well be the entire interview that airs.
• Technical, complex answers don't communicate well to the audience and end up on the cutting room floor. Use the art of analogy and example.
• Avoid jargon or unfamiliar words. Speak in complete sentences.
• Slow down.
• In an interview that will be edited, you should make your point first--clearly and concisely. Then you can go on to enlarge the point with background. This will lessen the chances of having your remarks edited out of context.
• Take your time and start again if your answer gets jumbled or confused. Don't hesitate to simply say, "I'd like to try that again."