So, you’ve been asked the dreaded question: “Can you be part of our company video?”
Whether it’s a company update, a project launch, a town hall introduction or an interview that will be edited into a finished production, the need to look and sound your best in front of your webcam is becoming increasingly important, especially in remote work.
The key to a successful online video recording comes down to three things: your technology, your room set-up, and your delivery of the message. Use the best-quality camera, microphone and recording platform available, create a clean and well-lit filming environment, and communicate confidently by speaking clearly and maintaining eye contact with the camera. Get these three areas right and you’ll look more professional, feel more confident and produce a recording that’s easier to edit into a polished final video.
Now that all might seem very technical but don’t worry… you don’t need to be a Hollywood Director of Photography to get great results. At Pinta, our video production team have conducted hundreds of these recordings and have developed a list of minor tweaks with both hardware & software that have really benefitted the look and feel of the overall production value of the final results.
This guide will teach you how to look professional on camera, whether your using Zoom, Microsoft Teams or another platform.
What’s the best recording software/platform for filming online interviews?
At Pinta, we use Zoom to film remotely. Although it’s not perfect, we’ve found it’s the most accessible software for those we’re filming to set up. One of the major benefits is Zoom’s stability – no major dropouts, glitches or disruptions.
Usually, the platform used will generally come down to the preference of the production team working on the video. Some may use Zoom, others may use Microsoft Teams while many will opt for a more full featured platform that require a more detailed setup procedure. These more detailed platforms have become a lot more common with the surge in remote podcasting, the list below is just a few well known options.
What’s the best webcam to use for filming online videos?
Needless to say, but the more high-end the webcam you have at your disposal, the better – there are plenty of options available online but let’s look at some of the best models in various price ranges.
Logitech C270
This is a good, entry level webcam that won’t break the bank. Its main drawback is it’s 720p resolution which does look somewhat “blurry” by 2026 standards.
Logitech Brio 300
A great mid-range option. 1080p quality, stylish form factor and built in RightLight2 for challenging lighting conditions.
Elgato Facecam 4K
Designed for streamers and podcasters, the 4K resolution produces an incredibly sharp image and the accompanying software adds a layer of customisation and control you won’t find in many other setups.
But let’s be honest – most people will be limited to using their company issued laptops built in webcam. Although not ideal, this isn’t the end of the world. Let’s look at how you can improve the image when working with this limitation (these techniques also apply to external webcams – no matter how basic or high-end).
What are the best microphones for virtual video recordings?
A video is actually 50% video and 50% sound but what you may be surprised to know is that sound plays a much more important role than the video. Studies show that on social media platforms like YouTube, viewers will click away from a video much faster if it’s got bad quality audio as opposed to if it has poor visuals.
In the context of recording remote videos, we’re really just focussed on making your voice as clear as possible. This can sometimes be tricky when using poor quality laptop microphones but don’t reach for that headset with the microphone attached just yet, we don’t want you looking like you’re in air traffic control! Modern editing platforms and plugins have the ability to clean up sub-par audio but trying to capture a clean source is always a good idea. Avoid rooms with echo, turn off that noisy air conditioner and maybe put the dog in the other room to ensure you’re avoiding sound distractions.
For even better audio clarity, using an external microphone like the Logitech YETI ORB can make you sound crystal clear.
How do I improve the lighting of my remote recording?
Ask any video producer worth their salt and they’ll tell you that lighting is everything. Personally, I’d rather shoot on a phone camera with €2,000 worth of lighting over shooting on a €10,000 camera with no lighting. That’s how important lighting is. So what are we looking for lighting wise when we’re filming ourselves at home with a webcam?
Well, first off we need to make sure we have enough light. Filming in low light will lead to noisy/grainy artifacts in your footage as the camera tries to correct for the darkness in the room. One simple fix for this is to position yourself near a window so you can utilize natural light. This might mean moving into a room you may not usually work from while recording but this minor inconvenience makes all the difference. Alternatively, you can use a light like the Elgato Key Light Neo to brighten everything up.
How to choose the right room, location, and background to look best on camera
Speaking of the room you’re filming in – this is another big way to impact the look of the video. Look at the side by side below, what do you notice?
In the first picture, we’re looking at the subject in front of a wall – pretty bland right? Now see how positioning yourself with some more depth & visual interest in the background brings everything to life. Everyone’s options for location will differ but have a look around where you’re filming and ask yourself “Can I be doing this somewhere a bit more interesting looking?”
What’s the best framing I can use during my virtual video recording?
Have you ever been on a video call and there’s that one person who seems to have their laptop so low down that you’re seeing more of their chin than their face? We definitely want to avoid that when we’re filming remotely. The rule of thumb is that the camera should be in line with your eyes as much as possible, a few centimetres above or below the eyes is fine.
We also need to make sure that we’re fully visible. A good guide is that you should be able to see our torso, shoulders & head with a little breathing room around us so that if we move around a little – we won’t fall out of frame.
Are there specific settings in my software I should use during virtual recordings?
Microsoft Teams, Zoom and more full featured platforms all have hidden settings to ensure the best quality video & audio are being captured. They all also provide the ability to blur or turn on virtual/green screen backgrounds – but if we cover up all the work we put into making our background look dynamic with a company branded graphic then what was the point? Let’s keep those options unchecked!
In your software, navigate to the video settings and if the option is there, make sure to check “Enable HD video” – this will let the software use all the resolution your webcam has to offer. Next, turn off any filters like skin smoothing or dynamic brightness. These will use unnecessary processing power while actual making the footage look worse.
Tips for speaking on camera.
Depending on the type of video being produced, the approach you should take will differ. Generally, remote recordings fall under two main formats:
Direct to Viewer:
This type of video will have you looking into the camera to address the end viewer directly. By looking into the lens, you are simulating eye-contact and this approach is generally used in videos with a more formal, rehearsed feel. This format is mostly used when delivering a pre-written script and will generally have a more “professional” tone.
Fly on the Wall:
A very different approach, this format will allow you to look at the screen and speak to the person who is asking you questions. This allows viewers to feel like they’re part of a discussion and this format allows for a more conversational/relaxed tone.
Regardless of which format is being used, you should always speak as naturally as possible. The more comfortable you feel – the more comfortable you will look on camera.
Don’t forget, communication is about more than speaking – body language also plays a key role. To engage your audience, feel free to use hand gestures to help get your point across and smile at the beginning or end of paragraphs.
If you’ve pre-prepared notes, try to use them as effectively as possible. They should serve as guidelines to help you – sometimes if we try to nail everything we’ve prepared verbatim, we may be more prone to stumble over our words. Therefore, try to portray the key points in your own language for a more natural delivery.
Lastly, enjoy the process! Even though it may be somewhat daunting if it’s new to you, the experience will stand to you – on camera speaking is a valuable skill and a beneficial form of communication in today’s world.
Summary: Quick tips to improve your remote video recording
Getting a polished remote recording doesn’t require a professional studio or expensive production setup. With a few simple adjustments to your webcam, lighting, framing, background, audio, and software settings, you can dramatically improve how you look and sound on camera.
- Position your camera at eye level
- Ensure your face is well lit
- Choose a background with depth and visual interest
- Reduce distracting background noise
- Check that your recording platform is capturing the best possible quality
- Speak naturally & confidently
These small tweaks can make a big difference, helping your message feel clearer, more professional, and more engaging for your audience.
Need to produce content containing remote/virtual recordings? The multimedia team at Pinta are here to help!
Get in touch at explore@pinta.ie
