We all know the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but let’s be real—when it comes to video content, people do judge, and they’re doing it fast. Whether you’re recording a testimonial on your phone or filming a polished interview on set, the background of your video plays a huge role in how your audience perceives both the quality and the message you’re trying to convey.
First Impressions Count—A Lot
When you, or your audience sees a thumbnail, or clicks play on a video, your eyes are scanning everything—the person speaking, the lighting, and yes, the background. Even if you don’t consciously realize it, you’re deciding whether this video is worth your time based on that first impression. And here’s the thing—if the background doesn’t look right, your viewer’s already scrolled away, or ready to close that window.
Take a remote testimonial as an example. Let’s say the backdrop is simple but has a bright, cheery pop of yellow. Right away, that vibrant color makes the scene feel positive. You haven’t heard a word yet, but already, you’re getting the sense that the interviewee is in a good mood and probably has something nice to say. The background is doing its job—setting the stage for a pleasant experience.
What Happens When the Background Fails You?
Now, imagine the opposite. You’ve got a painting hanging in the background, but it’s crooked. There’s a harsh blue light cutting across the interviewee’s forehead, and it feels… off. As a viewer, that’s all you can focus on. Suddenly, the message doesn’t even matter anymore because the whole look just looks poor. And once that thought creeps in, your audience is thinking, If the setting looks this bad, is the rest of the video even worth watching?
When a background feels chaotic or unplanned, it distracts from the main event. Viewers stop paying attention to the content and start focusing on all the little things that feel wrong. And at that point, you’ve lost them.
How to Nail the Perfect Background
On the flip side, when you have control over the set, you can make the background work for you, not against you. Let’s say you’re interviewing a designer. By using elements like measuring tools, color palettes, and art supplies in the background, you’re telling your audience something before the person even speaks. They immediately know this person is a creative professional, and that sets the tone for the entire interview.
This isn’t just about making things look nice—it’s about letting your background help tell the story.
Just to round out this blog, and to show that I’m not being biased towards on-set filming, here’s an example of a background that is filmed on location, that could be improved. Just like the in the remote recording, the background just says, it’s a corporate boardroom, and there is a black bar sticking out of the interviewee’s head, which is never a good look…
The Big Picture
At the end of the day, the background is more than just “decoration.” It’s an important part of your video’s message. A well-thought-out background makes your video feel polished and professional, and it gives viewers a reason to stick around and keep watching. It’s all about showing them that you’ve put effort into every detail, not just what’s in front of the camera.
So, next time you hit record, take a moment to think about what’s happening behind your subject. A good background doesn’t just frame your video—it elevates it, making sure your message is heard and, more importantly, remembered.
