Sparkle in 2026
The moment when you get in front of the camera is the moment you need to turn your lights on. Cameras require you at your most sparkly in the eyes, poised, enthusiastic and relaxed in mood.
The moment when you get in front of the camera is the moment you need to turn your lights on. Cameras require you at your most sparkly in the eyes, poised, enthusiastic and relaxed in mood. Here’s how:
On-air Sparkle
The TV camera picks up light and warmth. The trick is to be your natural, sparkliest self with the dial turned up on both credibility and compassion. You also need to be concise and clear-thinking under the adrenalin rush of a studio or staring down the barrel of a camera, and once you’ve done the preparation, that’s about calm. When you get into a studio your nerves can vanish. Seasoned broadcasters will tell you it helps to imagine you will only be on air for a short time then you can keep your energy up.
When it comes to shining on camera, the GRAVITAS acronym is designed to help you remember what to do.
G rooming On TV, hair and make-up makes all the difference. Since the footage is likely to be there for posterity, put the effort in. Looking groomed and tidy is key. If you can have it done professionally ladies, please do – a free session at the make-up counter is usually enough. Men, you too – a bit of powder hides the shine. Ask a make-up expert (at home?!) to help. The main thing to know about clothing is avoid black and white and too much pattern. Cameras can’t cope with it. Primary colours are what the camera loves above all.
R elax The adrenalin of a camera will speed you up so try to keep calm. Keep your breathing steady and your mind quiet. This means prepping carefully. Too much thinking makes you blink a lot and your eyes move all over the place. Better to be prepped, concise and calm.
A nimated eyes Look directly into the camera. Flirt with it!
V oice energy Projection matters on TV. It’s not about loudness but energy. Be yourself in a really upbeat good mood and send the energy to the back wall. You don’t need masses of volume on a mic but you always need to project the thought to the viewer.
I nspired Passion comes across well on camera. Choose subjects that inspire you and talk about them passionately.
T all Sit up tall and slightly forward. Think of a long, straight spine.
A rms TV cameras can’t cope with arm movements that are too big. The area between the chin and breastbone, no wider than the shoulders, is best as it allows you to gesture without being distracting as your hands move off camera.
S mile The camera loves a natural smile, especially those that start in the mind and move to the eyes. Think of an old friend and smile at them.
The broadcaster’s trick for charismatic likeability is to imagine you have a lovely secret. If you want to borrow from A-list actors you can add to this ‘I’m beautiful, someone loves me, I have a secret’. This is a Royal Academy of Dramatic Art tip. It’s cheesy but oh so effective for on-air sparkle.✨
Thank you for following along in 2025, I’m looking forward to lots more in 2026! Have a wonderful New Year celebration and I’ll be back from Monday 5th January!
Caroline x