Beyond:
(some of these would only be used for particular lessons and are not needed all the time)

Additional yardsticks/metersticks, rulers, or multiple comparable objects of the same length.

Three pencils or three objects of a similar size and shape as a pencil.

A scarf or similar item.

Set-up:

You will need space to perform the gestures in front of your webcam. It is best if you are in the very middle of screen because webcams tend to distort the edges of their frame. You want to be able to see your entire body, head to feet, on screen. It’s best if your computer is not too low or high, so that you can be seen in this way without needing to tilt the computer.

It’s best if you wear light clothing (a white shirt, white or tan colored bottoms) as dark colors will not show up as clearly on video. You want to be in a space with a good source of light, whether that’s from a window or from a light fixture. The light source should be coming from behind the computer, so that you are maximally lit up and not in shadow. If you have a light or lamp that can be aimed at you, that can also be helpful.

You will often be working sideways relative to the camera so that you can be seen in profile. We will sometimes work by measuring the distance of certain parts of your body relative to a wall (that’s what the yardstick/meter stick is for), so it’s best if you can have it so that there is wall or other tall, flat surface a few feet away, that you can face while sideways to the camera.

It can be helpful to have a door frame or other structure with straight vertical lines behind you (relative to the camera), so that you have a reference for what is vertically straight when you’re watching your video.

Here’s an example of a good setup:

Light colored clothing, plenty of light coming from behind where the computer is, relatively centered in the frame.

Here is an example from my first lesson which was not as optimal of a setup:

Too dark of clothing and insufficient light. As you can see, there is more light to the right of me, so later in the lesson I faced the wall on the right to get more light. Unfortunately the way I’m setup here I cannot stay in the middle of the frame and be able to use a wall for measuring. In future lessons I had to set things up differently.

If you’re having trouble knowing how to set things up, I can help you adjust the setup at the beginning of your lesson. Just make sure to wear light clothing and have a good source of light.