Episode Summary
Video has become a popular tool for meetings and presentations. And whether you’re holding an online conference or simply hosting an online meeting, you want to ensure your surroundings are video-friendly. But your background is definitely one of the most vital aspects of your video.
In this episode of the On Camera On Brand podcast, our host Rob Ruscher walks us through different video backgrounds. He explains how to use a single setup and create different options. Rob also explores how to create a clean set but also how to “cozy up” your environment to create a warmer tone for your viewer.
Host Profile
- Name: Rob Ruscher
- What he does: Content Creator 🎥 Helping professionals look their best On Camera 🧑💻 Grow Your Brand On Camera #oncameraonbrand
- Company: Ruscher Visuals
- Noteworthy: I've been working in commercial video production for 15 years, and for the last 10 years my focus has been on lighting and cinematography
Key Insights
- Your video background is an essential aspect of your virtual presentation. Never underestimate the power of a good and clean video background. It's one of the main things your viewers will see, so choose carefully. Rob says, "Not only do I want to have additional space for creating content, but I also want this space to be a little more professional for taking virtual calls, consulting sessions, and hosting workshops."
- A clean video background is the gold standard. You can't go wrong with a clean video background, but you can also shake things up a bit by adding color and lighting. Rob says, "The white gives us a clean, simple feel. I don't see my light switch behind me or any of the chipping of the paint, so it's definitely cleaner. However, if you don't have lighting to add some texture to this or some color to it, maybe look at paper seamless backdrops that have color. These can be colors to add to your branding messaging."
- Create a background that your audience will love. If you want to make sure your background is the best it can be, you need to take into consideration your audience's preferences. Pick the background that they will connect to the most. Also, choose something that represents your brand. Rob says, "For me, my favorite type of props are natural elements. I love the outdoors. I love camping, hiking, et cetera. So that fits me; that fits my brand. You should think about what you want your audience to see."
Episode Highlights
Set up a live feed to make your adjustments more easily
“Whatever video software you’re using, you should be able to go into preferences, then your video settings, and be able to see a live feed of what it’s using as your camera, whether that’s your webcam or an external camera plugged in, and then you can view that live, and as you’re making adjustments, you don’t have to guess, and you don’t have to use the little monitor on your camera if that’s what you’re using. So that saves a lot of time to not go back and forth, and that will make the process of setting up your background a lot [easier].”
RGB panels are useful for changing your background
“The cool thing with these RGBs, obviously, is that you can change the color. So just by switching this switch that I have in my lap right now, some lights can be controlled by your phone. You can easily change the color settings, brightness.”
A live set gives your video a cozy feel
“We’re onto our final setup. I’m going to clear all of this, and we’re going to bring in some furniture and turn this into a live set. From all my years of experience, I know no matter what, having a soft lamp in the background will always look good. And it’s an added bonus if you have an RGB bulb in there because then, on your phone, you can change the brightness, dimness, and the color temperature. You can tweak that to exactly the way you want to look, and then you can prop that area around it.”
