Corona and Zoom: Tips for participating in a video call

A few years ago, I gave training to senior executives of the communications giant Cisco ahead of a big conference.
We were sitting in a typical and cool hi-tech conference room, but on the side was a stand
A strange system with a huge screen and several rotating cameras.

I asked what this system does, and VP of Sales Aren Aral (today CEO of f5.com)
He said it was the most advanced video conferencing system in the world.
He turned it on and two cameras rose and aimed themselves,
One on me and one on him, and we both appeared on the screen.
As we walked in the room the cameras followed us, and when one of us spoke it filled the screen.
It seemed like science fiction to me.

Today my daughter has this technology in first grade,
And video calls are a required skill not only for VPs in high tech but also for parents, and teachers, and children, and workers in every possible profession.

So here are some tools that can help you perform better in video calls (and here is a follow-up article How to properly conduct a Zoom conference call).

Final preparation

Let's start from the end: even if you took care of great lighting, an excellent camera, correct clothing and optimal computer settings - if you arrive late, get stuck without a battery or in the middle of the conversation you are interrupted by a small child, a pet or a messenger from the supermarket, your preparation is not worth much.

That's why it's important to start organizing for a conference call long before it starts. Here's a 'countdown page' to help you get ready:

• an hour before: Put the cell phone and the computer to charge
• 30 minutes before: Turn on the air conditioner, and check that you have a zoom link. You should also check with the organizer that the video call will take place on time.
• 15 minutes before: Check with the household members that they know not to disturb you
• 10 minutes before: Get dressed (at least from the waist up), do your hair and also shave and put on makeup.
• 5 minutes before: Turn on the computer, check the network connection
• 3 minutes before: Turn on the camera and record yourself to test the lighting and sound
• a minute before: Connect to Zoom and see that you are uploading

From this moment you are in the air. Successfully.

Preliminary preparation: lighting

There is nothing that affects your performance more than a lighting minister. Even a fast computer with a great camera won't make you look good under bad lighting.

The first rule is that lighting from behind is bad, and lighting from the front is good.

If you stand in front of a window with midday sun, your face will probably be completely dark. That's why it's important that the background behind you is lit, but you will be brighter.

The second rule is that lighting from one direction is bad, and light from many directions is good.

If you are lit only on one side, ugly shadows will be created on the other side. For example, when we were on the move and wanted to tell a horror story, we would sit in the dark and shine a flashlight on the face from below. that was scary. Therefore, it is desirable to have light hitting more than one direction.

The third rule is that cold light is bad, and warm light is good.

Every lamp and light source has a shade. Light that tends to blue and green colors will give us a sickly look and highlight skin imperfections, while light that tends to yellows and reds will flatter our face and make us look good.

Therefore, the best light is halogen lamps and incandescent lamps (although this is warming lighting, so keep a distance so as not to sweat), then LED lamps with a 'warm' light. Second place is an LED chandelier with cold light, after that fluorescents with yellow light, towards the end it's fluorescents with white light. And the worst is too little light.

The fourth rule is that strong light is bad, and 'soft' light is good.

Light that is too strong, such as direct sunlight or a spot, causes the image to 'burn' and then you can't see expressions and you can barely see faces. In addition, such light also easily creates shadows if it is not directed directly. A good way to solve the problem of too much light is to point it at a wall or (even better) at the ceiling. He will come back to you softer and in many directions. which is good.

Preliminary preparation: location and background

The choice of the position of the camera, and even more so the choice of the background, greatly influence the impression you create. For example, during the lockdown in New York, bank executives who worked from home were instructed to make sure that in the background behind them there would be no sign of wealth that would irritate their employees who are confined in cramped apartments in Brooklyn: no view of the ocean, no view of the private pool, and in no way the children's assistant...

First rule: no profanity

Social networks are full of screenshots of Zoom conversations in the background of which embarrassing things can be seen: unwashed dishes in the sink, posters of pop bands, calendars with overly exposed models - you know it. As preliminary preparation: computer and network

Second rule: interesting, but not too much

An all-white background is a little boring, but a TV screen behind you will make people look at other things and not at you. In the same way, if you have a red wall, or a yellow sofa, then it's better not to have them appear in the frame, unless it's really important to you to use them to convey a message (but then let it be clear that this is what will be remembered).
So aim the camera so that some furniture and a flower pot appear, preferably relatively symmetrically. And as you know, the most attractive piece of furniture in video calls is a library. And if you don't have a normal corner at home? So the boring white background is better.

Third rule: camera at eye level, or slightly above

Most of the video calls are made from laptops placed on the table, and naturally we are filmed from below. It emphasizes things we have no interest in emphasizing, such as the chin and nostrils, and generally looks less good.

The best view will be achieved when the camera is at our eye level or even slightly above. If you're talking on a cell phone, then it's worth investing NIS 30 in a tripod that allows you to adjust the height of the device, and can usually be used as a selfie stick as well. If you use a laptop then you should put it on some books.

 In any case, it is important to remember that the camera should be as close as possible to the place on the screen where your face will be shown, otherwise when you turn to look at yourself, you will look to viewers as if you broke eye contact.

Preparation in advance: background noises and how to prevent them

It is true that most of the time in Zoom calls it is better to have a muted microphone, but when you need to open it, especially when you are in the background, it is important that your background is quiet.

Interruptions that cannot be prevented

There are disturbances that are more difficult to prevent, such as an ambulance passing by outside or neighbors moving furniture. That's why you should choose a room where you can close the windows to lower the level of incoming noise. If some of the noise comes from other rooms in the apartment, put a sealing strip under the door (or even spread a folded rag next to the door) - the difference will be noticeable.

Preventable disorders

If you have noise factors at home that you can control, such as partners, children or pets, it is important to prepare in advance with an orderly coordination of expectations. For example, make sure they are not going to vacuum, dry hair, or rehearse the piano.

You should define which emergencies are allowed to disturb you, and what to do with the rest. It's not a bad idea to stick a sign on the door reminding you that you are in a video call.

air conditioner and other electrical appliances

Appliances that can be prevented, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, are best turned on after you're done.

An air conditioner is another story: it makes noise, but if you are too hot or too cold, you will feel less well and look less well. Therefore, the recommendation is to turn it on about half an hour before the call, so that you don't need it very strongly at the beginning of the call. In addition, you should set it to a temperature a little lower than you planned, but with a minimum fan to minimize the noise.

Preliminary preparation: camera, computer and internet

They say you can't change a first impression - that's bullshit. Try working with an Internet that disconnects, and you will see how the impression you created at the beginning is suddenly destroyed. There is nothing you can do, in a video call the equipment you use is the way you will be seen, so it is important to use appropriate equipment to make the best impression - within the limits of the budget.

Quality camera

The camera is the first thing they will see, so it should be successful. Today, the cameras on cell phones are much better than on laptops, so unless you have a computer that cost over NIS 7,000, or a cell phone that cost less than NIS 700, the camera on your cell phone is probably better. use it
The only reason to use a computer is if you need to view things from the screen.

Quality network connection

Without it, the picture will look grainy, your voice will be stuck, and occasionally the whole conversation will be stuck.
It is recommended to take a high-quality connection, and if you have the option to connect to the router with a cable, it is better than a wireless network.