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Live Cross Guide


Guest live cross guide

We’re looking forward to having you appear on Ticker News.

Please follow this quick technical guide so you look and sound your best on air.

🔑

Access and Login

  • Keep an eye on your inbox, spam and junk folders.
  • The code is sent automatically; there is no need to request it early.
  • Be ready to connect 10 minutes before your booked time.
🎙

Join the Live Cross

  • Use a laptop or desktop with Google Chrome.
  • Go to advanced.vmixcall.com.
  • Enter your name as the username.
  • Enter the unique code emailed by Ticker.
  • Use your computer microphone and audio.
🔇

Choose a Quiet Location

  • Close doors and windows and silence notifications.
  • Avoid cafés, open offices and rooms with echo.
  • Let others nearby know that you are going live.
  • Close Zoom, Teams, Skype and all other video apps.
💡

Quick Technical Check

  • Place the camera at eye level.
  • Light your face from the front.
  • Keep the device stable and plugged into power.
  • Use landscape framing—not mobile or vertical video.
  • Do not use Google Meet or another video link.
↻

Seeing a black screen after logging in?

Refresh your browser until you can see the studio. The connection can occasionally become stuck if you have recently used Zoom, Teams or other videoconferencing software, or if a firewall delays access. Refreshing normally clears the issue and allows you through. As soon as we can see you, our producer/director will make contact to confirm that you are visible in the control room before passing you over to the host.

Look your best on camera

A professional television shot comes down to three things: camera height, balanced framing and clean front lighting.

Correct television framing using the rule of thirds

Essential framing rules

1
Put the lens at eye levelRaise your laptop on books or use a stand. Avoid looking down into the camera.
2
Use the rule of thirdsImagine a 3×3 grid and place your eyes near the upper horizontal line.
3
Leave a little headroomAim for two to three fingers between the top of your head and the frame.
4
Stay centredFor a direct-to-camera interview, sit in the middle of the frame.
Good front lighting compared with poor window backlighting

✓ Good setup

Camera at eye level, face lit from the front, tidy real background and comfortable headroom.

✕ Avoid this

Low camera, bright window behind, dark face, excessive headroom and distracting clutter.

Background and depth

Your background should feel natural and professional—not artificial, flat or distracting.

✕

Please do not use a virtual background

Your real background will be visible on air. Choose a tidy location and do not sit directly in front of a window—the bright light will leave your face dark.

↔ Create physical distance

Sit around 1 to 1.5 metres from the wall behind you. This creates depth and avoids a flat-looking shot.

↗ Keep an arm’s length

Sit roughly an arm’s length from the webcam. Too close feels uncomfortable; too far away can increase echo.

✦ Declutter the frame

Remove distractions and ensure lamps, plants or poles do not appear to grow out of your head.

Final 60-second checklist

✓ Real background
No virtual effects
✓ Face well lit
No window behind
✓ Camera at eye level
Centred and stable
✓ Room quiet
Other apps closed

After the interview

Your segment will air shortly after recording on the Ticker News LIVE Channel. A team member will email you with the confirmed playout time. Ticker Studios retains all editorial rights and may reschedule or cancel live crosses due to breaking news or technical issues.