What To Wear To A Video Production Shoot

So Why Worry About Outfits? 

Firstly, be sure to always wear clothes that you feel comfortable in! This will give you that extra boost of confidence onscreen to look and perform your best. While today's video cameras are more forgiving than the cameras of the past, you still need to be careful when making a wardrobe selection. Picking the right outfit will not only help you look your best onscreen, but it will also help the video production team avoid technical difficulties both on set and in the edit room. Here are some best practices for picking outfits for your next video shoot!

Avoid Stripes and High-Contrast Patterns.

Stripes and high-contrast tops may not look good on camera. They can be unflattering and distracting to viewers. When we say high contrast patterns, we mean patterns that have very fine details such as lines or dots that are very close to each other. These fine patterns can create a wavy effect on your clothing called the moiré effect. This moiré phenomenon creates busy patterns of repeating lines that appear to make your clothing move around onscreen unintentionally. Try to avoid outfits with fine pinstripe and dot patterns for your video shoot. 

Avoid White Clothing.

Video cameras can sometimes struggle to handle high contrasts between bright and dark objects. If a white top is your favorite for interviews, you may want to switch it up when you’re in front of a camera. White tops can look too bright on-screen sometimes because of bright lighting in a scene. To ensure your face will be seen clearly on camera, go for neutral tones like beige, grey, or even pastel colors. Natural colors can be less distracting than bright vibrant colors.  

People who have darker skin tones may also want to avoid wearing white or very light colors for filming. Bright shirts on dark skin tones tend to “glow” or be overexposed when the camera’s exposure is set for darker skin tones. Be sure your outfits brightness will complement the brightness of your skin tone and not clash with it.

Avoid Black Clothing.

On the other hand, lighter skinned individuals may want to avoid black or dark clothing. A black shirt could become too dark and get lost in the shadows if the environment is dark and the camera’s exposure is set for a lighter skin tone. If you are ever unsure about your outfit, be sure to consult with the production team to see what outfit colors may be preferred for the shoot.

Match The Occasion.

If you are filming for a professional topic, be sure to look the part. You will want to match the outfit you're wearing with the subject matter. You wouldn't want to wear a suit and tie for interviews at the beach and you certainly wouldn't want a weekend t-shirt for an interview with the mayor. If you are filming for a studio interview, you should dress in typical professional attire. Collared shirts, ties, and jackets for men are always a good choice. Skirts, dresses, or pantsuits are always good choices for women. Any outfit that you think will look good on you and be appropriate for the setting will be a great choice.

Add a Pop of Color.

Adding a simple pop of color can make a positive impact on your visual presence onscreen. A bold color will enhance your skin tone and make you stand out. Darker colors like black, grey, or navy tend to blend you into the environment if the room/space in not well-lit. Earthly tones, blues, grays, greens (except when doing green screen work) all work great for video! 

Wear Minimal Jewelry.

Jewelry is shiny and can reflect unwanted light towards the camera. You should be careful about the type and amount of jewelry you wear during a video shoot. Simple and tasteful jewelry can be enough to compliment your outfit. Big jewels and bright colors can sometimes be distracting on camera. Unless your character needs it, you should avoid wearing anything large and sparkling. This includes large rings, dangling earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and pins. That said, be mindful of the noise that accessories can make too. You don’t want to have to redo takes every time the sound mixer on set hears your jewelry making noise.

Wear Makeup to Highlight Your Features.

Makeup can also be a great confidence booster and can help highlight your best features on-camera. To give your skin a healthy and natural glow, consider wearing a light foundation or color control cream, and use concealer to brighten the area underneath your eyes. Makeup like mascara, bronzer, and even brow pencils can also enhance your appearance and make you look more presentable on camera. If you’re on the oily side, consider using a blotting paper and some powder before you step onto set – you don’t want any shine to distract your audience from what you are saying. It’s essential to keep your makeup neutral and natural.

Avoid Wearing Sparkles and Shimmers.

If you’re a fan of glitter, it’s best to save it for your personal days. Sparkles can be distracting onscreen as they tend to reflect unwanted light into the camera. Even if it’s a bit of glittery eyeshadow or a simple glittery design on your outfit – avoid shimmer when you can!

Avoid Ill-Fitted Clothing.

One of the best tips to follow for any interview scenario is to wear clothes that fit properly. You will want to avoid wearing clothing that’s either too loose or too tight. Be sure to be comfortable in whatever you wear for the video shoot. Whatever makes you leave home and feel like a star, do that! Confidence is key.

Avoid logos.

If you’re promoting a brand or a campaign it may be appropriate to wear their logos. If you are not marketing a brand, then try to avoid logos and brand names.  You don’t want to find out later that there is a conflict of interest between the logo you wore to the video shoot and the people who are sponsoring or distributing the video!

Don’t Forget about Your Hair.

It’s easy to forget about your hairstyle when there’s so much focus on the outfit you choose. However, it’s essential that your hair is well-groomed. You can style it in any way that is comfortable for you, as long if it’s kept out of your face.

Have Fun!

Finally, sit up/stand up straight, be comfortable, project your confidence, and have fun during the video shoot! If you’re having a good time and enjoying yourself, viewers will pick up on that and enjoy spending time with you.