| > | | | | replaced by pictures. The usual colours affected by |
| | | | this are green and blue (this is why it’s |
| Your first TV appearance will be a very exciting | | | | commonly known as blue screen effects). So if you |
| experience, and you’ll probably spend hours | | | | were in a studio where this effect was being used |
| carefully preparing what you want to say. | | | | and you happened to be wearing a blue tie, you |
| You’ll also very likely spend much time | | | | could look as if you had a big hole in the middle of |
| preparing what to wear. This is a vital part of the | | | | your body, which will probably not enhance your |
| process because TV is primarily a visual medium and | | | | corporate image. |
| how you look is an important part of the package. | | | | - Above all, ensure that however you look is |
| So, to save you some time, here are the rules: | | | | congruent with how you want to come across |
| - Don’t wear all black. You’ll look as | | | | — if your message is sober and serious, dress |
| though you’re disappearing into a hole. This | | | | appropriately. Likewise, if your message is fun and |
| often throws women into a panic, as we love the | | | | frivolous you can probably leave the navy suit at |
| slimming properties of black, particularly when TV will | | | | home. Some TV professionals reckon that wearing |
| probably make you look slightly heavier than you are | | | | pastel colours can make you look younger, but you |
| in real life. Black trousers or skirt will normally be fine | | | | may not necessarily want to look younger, especially |
| as a filmed interview will generally concentrate on | | | | if you’re appearing in an expert role. |
| your top half, but do go for a colour on top if you | | | | It’s worthwhile bearing these guidelines in mind |
| can. | | | | any time you meet a member of the media, even if |
| - Don’t wear all white. It makes TV lights | | | | it’s non-visual interview such as radio or print. |
| bounce back and you’ll look as though you | | | | How you look will still have an impact on how you |
| just descended from the heavens on a cloud. | | | | are perceived, so make sure you give the impression |
| - Don’t wear anything with a very small | | | | you intend to on all levels. |
| pattern such as pin-stripes, tweed or polka dots. | | | | And in case you were wondering, it is true that |
| Again, it has a strange effect on TV lights known as | | | | television can make you look as if you’re a |
| strobing. Men should avoid pinstripe shirts — | | | | few pounds heavier than you are in real life. |
| bring a change of clothes if you’re not sure. | | | | It’s all to do with the fact that a TV picture is |
| - No visible logos of companies or brands (watch out | | | | made up of a series of horizontal lines, and other |
| for this particularly on sportswear) as this may be | | | | technical reasons I won’t bore you with. |
| regarded as advertising. You may be asked to | | | | Suffice to say, when you meet people who regularly |
| change if a logo is too obvious. | | | | appear on TV, they often look much smaller and |
| - Avoid buying a new outfit the day before and | | | | slimmer than you might expect — this is |
| acting as if you’re going to a job interview. If | | | | because many TV presenters (especially female |
| you feel too stiff and formal in your clothes this will | | | | ones) decide to keep as skinny as possible in order |
| affect how you express yourself. | | | | to look regular size on the box. |
| - If you can’t decide what to wear, bring a | | | | Now, how you regard this is up to you. I’m |
| change of clothes — plenty of people do and | | | | not telling you this so you can all rush out and join |
| it can be a good idea if your original choice turns out | | | | Weight Watchers. It’s just something else |
| to be unsuitable. | | | | about the process to be aware of and take into |
| - Ask if there are any colours you should avoid | | | | consideration. You don’t have to look a |
| wearing. This can happen if they clash with the set, | | | | particular way or be a particular weight to appear on |
| or if an effect called ChromaKey is to be used | | | | TV, but it will help your over-all performance if you |
| — this is the effect which is used as the basis | | | | are happy in your own skin, whatever size that may |
| of some special effects, where a particular colour is | | | | be. |