The Details: How to look & sound great in an online interview
More than 70% of Legacy Interviews guests are from outside of the St. Louis metropolitan area. People have come from California, New York, Arkansas, Minnesota, Florida, and even Canada. If you’re traveling from out of town, these tips will help you make the most of your visit to St. Louis.
Sound:
Microphones
The most important aspect of the interview is the quality of the sound. It is almost always better to use a dedicated microphone rather than your computer or smartphone microphone.
We recommend Apple headphones with the 3.5 mm plug. Otherwise you can use AirPods or other high quality telephone headphones.
Choosing your room
The biggest problem with home audio is echo created from your voice bouncing off the walls, floors or tables. By using your headphones mic you will dramatically lower the amount of echo. However, it is valuable to also choose a room that has carpet on the floor and soft things like drapes hanging on the windows.
Lowering echo
If you need to use a space with hardwood or tile floors, placing blankets or towels on the floor and table around your space will absorb some of the sound echo. even if it looks funny, as long as the soft things are out of the shot no one will know.
Look:
Camera placement
Place your camera at eye level. This often means you will need to place your computer, smartphone or tablet on a set of books or a larger box so that the camera is parallel to your eyes. Resist the temptation to tilt your camera up to create this effect. Looking down at the camera makes it feel like your audience is in a hole and you are looking down at them.
You should also allow for about 1” of space between the top of your head to the top of the screen, with your eyes at the top 1/3 of the shot.
Lighting
The most important light is your “key light.” This is the light that is directly in front of you, not to be confused with overhead room light. This key light should be as bright/white as possible. Often guests will use a desk lamp by taking the shade off to make it as bright as possible.
In an ideal situation you may be able to sit facing a window so that the sunlight can be your key light.
You can leave an overhead light on, but to look great, you will need a key light.
Clothes
You are welcomed to wear whatever you like, but we typically recommend upscale casual attire, like you are having a group of old friends over for dinner in your home. You want to look your best, but this is relaxed, so you should also be comfortable.
Clothing to avoid:
all black or all white.
bright red or bright yellow.
Synthetic fabrics designed to repel rain; the “swishing” creates unnecessary noise.
Clothing that will become too warm and cause you to sweat.
Pinstriped clothing
Jewelry is encouraged because it often has a story or meaning attached to it.. Wear what you really enjoy putting on and don’t be bashful.
Background:
The last thing to consider is what is behind you during the interview. One advantage to conducting your Legacy Interview online is that you can place pictures, awards and other valued objects behind you. Consider what is behind you as additional context for sharing your stories. You can select a place that shows off your family home, or highlights things that are important to you.
When placing objects, be mindful not to have anything too complicated or cluttered in the background. Simple is usually better for an interview background.
