Instructions
- Step 1: Wear bold, solid colors Dress for success and wear bold, solid colors. Tiny prints or patterns make your clothes look like they’re dancing, and white is hard to light.
- TIP: Ask if your interview is going to be done on chroma key, which is a blue or a green screen. If it is, don’t wear the color of the screen or they’ll have trouble keying in a background.
- Step 2: Wear makeup Don’t skip the makeup artist. Powder is a must under the hot lights and more is generally better.
- TIP: If you have your own makeup, bring it with you. You’ll be more comfortable wearing your own colors and formulas, and it’s okay to ask the makeup artist to use it.
- Step 3: Use hairspray Don’t spoil your walk of fame with a bad hair day. Let the makeup artist spritz and spray. Fly aways and unkempt hairdos look worse in the bright lights.
- Step 4: Avoid a cold beverage or soda before the interview Skip the cold drink before walking on the set. Cold makes your vocal chords constrict — go for warm water or hot tea instead.
- Step 5: Ask where you should look Ask the interviewer where you should look. If they’re on set with you, make eye contact with them. If someone is asking you questions through an earpiece, look directly into the camera.
- Step 6: Keep answers short and sweet Keep your answers short and sweet. People tune out if they get too much information, so talk about what’s important.
- Step 7: Prepare answers but don’t over-rehearse Come prepared but don’t overdo the practice or you may come off too rehearsed and not conversational. If you memorize your answers and then don’t say them verbatim, it might throw you off track.
- Step 8: Smile and relax Smile and relax. Viewers are more engaged if you put on a happy face and look at ease. Most of all, have fun in the spotlight — the floor director will call “wrap” sooner than you know it.
- FACT: The first televised presidential debates were held in 1960 between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy. Viewers perceived Kennedy as the winner of the debate because he looked better on camera.
You Will Need
- Outfit in a bold
- solid colors
- Room-temperature or hot drink
- Makeup kit (optional)
