So, your company or marketing team wants to make a video about your brand—and they want you to be the star. If you’ve never been on camera before, this might sound nerve-wracking.
Appearing in a video testimonial or marketing interview doesn’t have to be scary. Instead of white-knuckling it through your first appearance, lean on advice from the pros to showcase your best self on screen.
That’s the point of this guide: offering expert tips that will prepare you for any video shoot. We sat down with Coal Creative’s video experts—Production Manager Alex Manganella and Post-Production Manager William (Will) McHale—to answer some of our collaborators’ most common queries about starring in video content.
What Should You Know Before Showing Up on Shoot Day?
In the days leading up to your video shoot, your marketing team or video director might have you outline a script, memorize a few lines, or review a shot list. As you prepare for your on-screen appearance, remember two key facts about shooting video:
Nothing is Live
Your video shoot isn’t a news station interview or an SNL opening monologue—it’s not live, which takes a lot of pressure off.
“You’ll get a chance to redo things, pause, think about what you’d like to say, and even tell us not to use something if you don’t like it,” says Alex. “The magic of editing smooths out most slip-ups and awkward stumbles. Even if you don’t feel like you were at 100% during your interview, we have the tools to make it look like you were.”
Communication is key here. Don’t be afraid to tell your director that you want to redo a line, change your facial expression, or pause to rethink a response to an interview question. Directors are your collaborators—your creative allies. They want you to feel and do your best instead of stressing about getting it right the first time.
Authenticity is the Best Policy
Remember that, unless your marketing video is taking an avant-garde approach, you’re not playing a character; you’re showing up as yourself. This should ease your mind when you arrive on shooting day.
Will’s most common advice to first-time video interviewees is, “Don’t stress and just be yourself.”
What does that mean, practically speaking?
- Speak in your own voice – There’s no need to change your accent or any unique vocal quirks—you were asked to be on camera for a reason. Your voice is the one the director wants to hear.
- Dress in your normal attire – While we’ll touch on some wardrobe specifics in the next section, wear something that feels authentic and comfortable for you.
- Answer questions candidly – Your interviewer might ask some impromptu questions during your shoot—answer as you would if you were talking with a colleague over lunch. Will says, “Instead of pressuring you to give a “perfect” performance, we would rather sit down with you and have a real conversation. The production team can take it from there.”
What Should You Wear for a Video Testimonial?
Let’s return to the wardrobe conversation. There are only a few guidelines to know when it comes to picking your video outfit:
- Keep the set in mind – “If we’re filming in bright, direct sunlight, try not to wear pure white or something like a reflective neon construction vest,” says Alex. Just about any other color will do for a sunny outdoor shoot, but whites and neons might wash you out or distract the viewer.
- Keep it simple – Speaking of visual distractions, Alex and the video production team try to avoid over-the-top patterns during shoots. If you’re set on wearing a print, go for something more subtle or muted.
- Don’t upstage the green screen – If your director uses a green screen for your shoot, green is off the table for your interview outfit. Contrasting with the green screen makes it easier for post-production to refine your video backdrop.
- Dress as your best self – “Your style is your style,” says Alex. Don’t worry about buying something new for your shoot; just pick items from your current wardrobe that make you feel comfortable in your own skin.
What Should You Expect on Shooting Day?
Every shooting day looks different—that’s one of the best parts of the job for the video team.
“Every shoot day varies. Some days we’re doing interviews in an air-conditioned office and some days we’re filming on a raft in 95-degree heat. What you can expect from us is flexibility and support. We’re here to make sure you look good, and we do our best to make the process enjoyable.”
The best way to set expectations before shooting day? Communicating with your director. They’ll tell you about the timeline for the shoot and what to expect on set throughout your recording session.
Where Should You Look While Speaking?
Like the moment-to-moment expectations during filming, this question depends on multiple factors. Here are a few hypothetical video styles and what directors might recommend:
- Virtual awards videos – “Sometimes you may want to look directly at the camera, perhaps if you’re reading a speech from our teleprompter for a virtual award video.”
- Documentary shoots – “If it’s more of a documentary-style video, we’ll have you ignore the camera and look directly at the interviewer.”
- TV commercials or promotional videos – This can go either way—each brand (and each commercial) is different, and this will determine the shooting style (and your instructions).
“The question we get more often than “Where do I look?” is “What do I do with my hands?”” says Alex. Again, ask the director. They’ll make sure you’re positioned comfortably and naturally during your shoot.
Coal Creative: Building Compelling Video for Our Collaborators
The last note above bears repeating: any time you have a question about how to prepare for your video interview or what to do on shooting day, your director and production team will offer all of the answers you need.
And when you’re looking for an expert video team to collaborate with—whether you’re trying to make the next viral Reel or a hard-hitting documentary feature—turn to Coal Creative. We work with collaborators from Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond.
When you need a creative agency that can help you tell stories that matter to you and your audience, reach out to the crew at Coal Creative.