I'm ready for my close up...... or am I?

On some video sets there is a make up and hair artist. Enjoy it. Otherwise, here are some field tested suggestions:

Makeup: Ladies, we suggest wearing make up: foundation, power and lipstick. Bring your make up kit with you to touch up. You want to look exactly like yourself on screen so add nothing extreme for the camera. Shiny faces, foreheads and heads can be helped by simple blotting with a damp cloth, by using shine control blotting sheets, or commercial products like Smash Box Anti-Shine. Keep in mind, if lights are used on the set, likely it may warm up and this could cause unwanted shine. Also, HVAC is of noisy and may cause problems with audio so it may be turned off during your interview.

Hair: Wear a hairstyle that's comfortable and works well on you. We suggest caution on getting a new hairstyle done just for the filming session. It may or may not work out as a good look for you and if it doesn't ….well let's just say what goes on the internet stays on the internet.

Glasses: To wear or not to wear? You choose, however you feel comfortable. If you wear glasses all the time and people wouldn't recognize you without them (or you couldn't recognize them!) by all means wear your glasses. Just be aware that it may take a slight bit of adjustment on the lighting to make sure there is no reflection and we can see your eyes. It helps to have anti-glare lenses.

Dress: Wear colors and styles that flatter you. The big dos and don'ts are avoid plaids, stripes, big or tight patterns as these don't read well on video + avoid wearing bright white or all black. Fabric should not be extra shiny.

Jewelry: Nothing that sparkles, hangs down, or is big and chunky. These will distract the viewer as you move or gesture may interfere with audio.

Janice Edwards, Executive Producer/Host "Bay Area Vista" President and CEO, Edwards Unlimited and Speaker and Media Coach shares these tips with her interview guests:

• Do some stretching or relaxing breathing exercises before or work out if your schedule allows.
• Eat familiar food, give yourself a break and don't experiment before your video appearance.
• Assume that your whole body will be seen.
• Don't wear a new outfit unless you have already sat down in it and you know it looks good.
• Same goes for shoes. Make sure they feel comfortable as well as look good.
• Be sure that a jacket doesn't bunch when you sit and know if you want to open or close it.

Overall: It's good to think all this through ahead of time so the day of the video shoot your personal appearance and comfort on the set are not a distraction.