Dress for Success

What Do I Wear?

Alas, as you prepare for a day in front of the camera, the monster of style raises its ugly head and snickers at you. Everyone you see on TV seems to know what to wear. It seems so easy and casual.

Now, looking through your wardrobe, there seem to be no end of possibilities. Which combination is the right one?

Dress for Success

Top Tip One: Noisy Clothing and jewelry

You might want to show up and trust to your flashy clothes to make a good first impression, but in truth, it’s not a great idea. Some clothes, such as puffy jackets, can make noise.  Jewelry is of most concern with the jingle of your wrist or the necklace hitting the microphone on your chest.  Consider which jewelry will impact audio.  We also recommend not having any keys or coins in your pocket.  Cloths can also be noisy; even a subtle sound like your arm rubbing against a puffy jacket will be picked up.  

The less you draw the attention of the audience to other things, even small, seemingly trivial things like ruffling or jingles, the more attention will be given to what you have to say.

Top Tip Two: Patterns

Patterns, such as stripes, are often just as distracting as bright colors even if they themselves are muted and neutral. Stripes can cause weird effects on camera, drawing the attention of the audience to the shimmering McCollough effect as you move around. If you can, avoid stripes and other bold patterns. If you choose to wear a patterned garment, try to find one with simple, generic shapes and neutral colors.

Shiny fabrics like silk and satin can also be  distracting not only because of their unique texture, but because they reflect light. The light itself is an asset, but when it is continually moving, flickering, and glaring, it can be a drawback to your overall presentation.

Wahoo Films recommends you wear matted, solid colors that contrast your background.  For example, if you are standing in a green forest you might want to wear brighter colors like oranges, light blues, or yellows.

Top Tip Three: Logos

Not only should you try to avoid advertising something else while you’re in front of the camera; logos are often subject to copyright, and wearing one that does not belong to you can, in the worst-case scenario, create problems related to copyright infringement. When working with a corporate film industry, and any other time your production will be widely broadcast, you should only wear your own company’s logo.

Top Tip Four: Mic Placement

If you are being interviewed, plan on having a mic clipped to you. A buttoned shirt for the front mic works nicely for a place to conceal the associated hardware, or we can hide it under your shirt or on your belt.

Say you’re wearing a dress—what then? Dresses don’t have many places to hide mics. The tech manager comes in with a handful of equipment and can’t find a place to clip it to. Are you going to have to hold it in your hand for your presentation?

The answer is no.

If you wear a dress, simply make sure there is a place to clip the mic to. A belt (even under the dress) or pocket will work just as well to hold the mic’s transmitter pack.

Summing it up

Overall, when you are choosing your outfit, you should be asking yourself these questions:

1. Is my outfit comfortable?
2. Is this garment distracting?
3. Will it cause problems for the camera?
4. Will it create noise for the mic?
5. Where will I attach my mic?

When you step on set with Wahoo Films, you can feel confident and ready to deliver your message without worrying about what people will think of your clothes, because the audience will never give your clothes a second thought.

Just be yourself in front of the camera: your presentation will be absolutely amazing!

Questions?

contact@wahoofilms.com

(541) 693-4567