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The Ultimate —
Film-ready Rooms Shutterstock.com
By Kathleen Moran, House and Home Writer
As we accept and continue to navigate the new normal that comes with living in the midst of a pandemic, one positive that emerges is homeowners are allowing themselves the time to explore hobbies like increasing their personal online presence as video influencers. This could be anything from starring in their own makeup or cooking tutorials to a DIY project, all from within the confines of a film-ready room in one’s own home. Whatever one’s interests, though, lighting, backdrop aesthetics and adequate video and sound quality will make all the difference in giving one’s video that professional touch viewers appreciate.
VIDEO AND SOUND QUALITY
Tyrus Tucker, Mighty Mics’ tech guru in Goshen, acknowledges the portability and readily available filming capabilities of the average cellphone that comes equipped with a decent microphone and camera. However, when money is not an option, Tucker shared, “In order to take creation to the next level, one could invest in a DSLR, a full frame mirrorless camera, or a higher quality webcam.” photo courtesy of Mighty Mics, Goshen
LIGHTING Hannah Taylor, lighting showroom manager at Kendall Lighting Center in South Bend, offers a tip for influencers, particularly interested in makeup: “Eye-level lighting is more flattering than relying on overhead lighting that is sure to create shadows on one’s face.” The important thing is to balance the layers of lighting in a room, and in the case of a makeup artist, this could mean using sconces at a vanity or dressing table. For an individual wanting to film a cooking video, make sure to have good lighting over a kitchen island. Taylor explained, “The trick, in this case, is to have the light fixture out of the camera’s sight line while also hanging at a distance that is adequate for illuminating the workspace.” Typically, 30 inches from the countertop is a good height.
BACKDROP AESTHETICS “Put a spin on things by making a sconce the point of interest for a backdrop,” stated Taylor. But remember to keep it on a lower lumen output since it is being used as a decorative piece rather than functioning as a traditional light source. Additionally, Deborah Carpenter, ASID, of Sweet Water Interiors in Goshen, recommends finding a balance for one’s backdrop. For example, featuring greenery or a piece of art should add interest without distracting viewers. “Of course, the choices one makes in one’s backdrop selection will likely be career-dependent in terms of what items will be featured,” said Carpenter. The color of a backdrop wall is just as critical as the interest pieces themselves. “For instance, green- and blue-colored backdrop walls — the cooler tones and colors of the sea — can give off a sense of tranquility compared to some other colors that may be too bright for viewers,” added Carpenter. 16 | Michiana House and Home | February 2021 |
Moreover, there are some tricks to ensuring sound quality. Particularly, large furniture pieces are helpful for absorbing unwanted sounds in a bedroom or living room. “Hanging heavy curtains in front of windows, adding furniture to corners of the room and utilizing sound-absorbing panels on at least two of the walls can help in smaller rooms,” specified Tucker. n RESOURCES: Kendall Lighting Center, multiple locations, 800-558-8820,
www.kendalllightingcenter.com Mighty Mics, Goshen, (574) 533-9151, www.mightymics.com Sweet Water Interiors, Goshen, 574-534-3989,
www.sweetwaterinteriors.com
