Zipping Ahead on Zoom

Seeing one’s face within a tiny Brady Bunch-like square on Zoom can really shrink one’s ego. Some cringe, thinking they’ve seen better-looking mug shots at the post office. With no makeup artist to rely upon and no lighting expert to properly show off one’s features, the resulting image can be disheartening. And disillusioning, as they absolutely know they really do look so much better in real life. But worse, such worries might cause one to zoom away to avoid suffering a blow to the ego.

Whether you’re onboard the Zoom ship for an audition, reading, meeting or performance, here are some suggestions that will help you stand out and avoid a negative result:

Lights, camera, action: By now you’re probably familiar with the popular and very portable ring lights. With their capacity to be placed on a desk or on the floor with the telescopic extension, they have proven to be essential in helping actors capture the right lighting. Better ones have different tones and brightness settings, so look for those, too.

If you don’t have a ring light, make sure you’re not backlit or that the overhead light doesn’t enhance a bald spot or highlight bags under your eyes.

Once you’re on Zoom, head over to the video section where you’ll find, “Touch up my appearance.” Tweak that setting, as it smooths out the age lines and gives you a nice Photoshopped look. Plus, moving the bar to the right affords you better quality, depending upon your last night’s activities or how you appear today. 

If you’re framed in a perpetual closeup, consider some small acting choices. Eyes are key here; wandering eyes are disconcerting in person, but especially on Zoom. Focus on who’s watching by keeping the script just below the camera, which helps the viewers feel you’re speaking directly to them, and not at a cocktail party scanning the room for a possible hookup.

If you wear glasses, adjust the camera angle so that the monitor’s glare doesn’t reflect on the lenses and subsequently bounce back onto the screen. Anti-glare lenses can remedy that situation.

Angle the camera at eye level or slightly above. If you position the camera below eye level, you’ll be showing off your nostrils and highlighting a double chin — if you have one. Conversely, if the camera is placed too high, it’ll appear that you’re looking up at a taller person, which is fine if your role is so described. It’s not so good if your character is one who commands attention.

Let’s get some negatives out of the way. Even with these enhancements and settings in place, things can go awry such as the dreaded “Zoom lag.” This rears its ugly head on occasion, complete with its delaying effect. Deadly for timing, (or it should be written, tim………ing), but there’s not much you can do to avoid it. Hang in there, and while you might have to back up a line or two in your reading or performance, depending upon the director’s whims, don’t let it ruin the performance. 

Here’s something else: If your internet connection goes awry, don’t panic — we all understand that sometimes happens in the Zoom world. Much worse is a panic-stricken face that freezes on the screen, giving the viewers a possible new idea for a meme or emoji. Put on a brave face or better yet a friendly face, and you’ll be back online in short order.

With that said, there are at least three options available for you to counter the lag or Wi-Fi issues during a performance or reading: When possible, plug your computer directly into your internet router so you’re not dependent upon a Wi-Fi signal; make sure your tablet and phone aren’t set to Wi-Fi (either turn them to cellular or airplane mode so they’re not using your home internet); and make sure no one else at home is hogging the internet at the same time as you. With the latter, you’re guaranteed the strongest internet connection possible. Might temporarily anger the other family members but hey, this is all about you and your performance. Yes, vanity-run-amuck time.

Avoid distracting behavior, as it takes away from the other performers. Yes, one can upstage other actors with even the slightest movement, but it’s a no-no, unless the script requires your doing so.

Obviously, acting on Zoom requires a “less is more” mindset. Think about it: Too much movement, and the chances are you’ll go out of frame, unless you have the luxury of someone filming and following you. Become familiar with how much play space you have within the confines of the camera’s range and adapt to it.

Okay, back to the enhancements and tips: Test out the speaker and microphone beforehand, noting the input level and input volume. Check the “Automatically adjust microphone volume” box if you so desire. That usually helps.

Suppressing background noise has four choices: auto, low (faint noises), medium, (i.e. anxious pen tapping, slurping of coffee) and high (distracting computer clicks, babies crying, dogs barking or your better half barking at you that it’s time to walk the dog).

Here’s a performance tip: Let’s say you’re comfortable with the script but uncomfortable with where you have to look on the screen. Simply position your script just below the camera as previously mentioned and look directly into the lens. Make sure your laptop clicks aren’t being heard as you scroll, but if that’s unavoidable, nix the idea. Alternatively, let’s say you have both a laptop and tablet … lucky you. Place the tablet adjacent to the laptop, which will enable you to silently scroll through the script while reacting to the other actors as you deliver your lines.

Zoom is now part of our way of life, a tool that allows us to connect with others and perform from afar. Embrace it. Or at least become familiar with how to show off your best you, and your little Brady Bunch box will stand out, instead of making you feel boxed in.