If you think producing conference video is easy, then we have been doing our job .  In reality, it requires a high degree of planning and expertise to meet each client’s needs.  Let’s work through a typical production.

Not Pictured: The global audience attending remotely via our Live Stream

Qualify the Project

Each event begins with a set of questions that help us qualify the project:

• Where is the event?
• How many days and how many breakout sessions?
• What is your goal with the content?
• Is the broadcast for promotional viewing, to provide a paid live event experience, or record for viewing only after the event?

A client will typically have the answer to some questions and others we are able to provide consultation to round out the scope of the project.  This process is in place to ensure the basic project requirements are met before moving forward.

We translate the client’s business goals into production equipment and people to make it happen.  The end product of the qualification process is a written project summary and proposal for services.

Pre-Production

Time invested in pre-production creates a hassle free event day.  The following tasks are completed in pre-production leading up to the event:

1. The event web player is created.  This may include our paid attendance option, a landing page on the client’s website, or a simple embeddable player that can be used anywhere.  The event page is branded with the client’s graphics and event details.
2. Logistics.  Crew and equipment are scheduled for the day of the event.
3. Planning with the Venue.  It is important to reach out to the venue and confirm Internet and space requirements.  We speak directly with the Internet network contact to review their network topography and plan for our needs.  The venue contact also assists in our physical location in the room and power needs.  You do not want to show up on the day of the event and find your network drop on one side of the room and your work table on the other end.
4. Design graphic packages. Onscreen graphics for the event are prepared in advance.  This might include lower 3rd title graphics or sponsor mention slides.
5. Review with the client. A brief review of the event details with the client ensures expectations and planning are in sync between the production team and the event as a whole.

Production

On the day of the event we will arrive with plenty of time to setup and complete pre-event checklists.  Cameras are placed, power is sourced, lighting is adjusted, Internet is tested, and the audio is dialed in.  When the doors open, we are ready.

The director will be communicating with the cameramen during the event to provide an engaging broadcast.  The director will switch between cameras and computer input in time with your presentation.  Our goal is to convey your message clearly and with confidence.  Multiple cameras, title graphics, and professional audio allow the remote viewer to forget about the technology.

During the event we may also be moderating a chat tool and escalating questions from the remote audience to the speaker.  The entire broadcast is saved in a format for the internet and another for the creation of DVDs.

Our cameras do not leave you in the back of the room!

Post-Production

Video on demand is available for viewing immediately after the event.  We will often break up a day’s conference into sessions that include intro graphics that highlight the event and sponsorship.  DVDs can be made available as well.

Conclusion

Effective conference video requires planning, communication, and technical ability.  As producers we never forget the enormous trust a client places in us.  It is our pleasure to unite audiences to the events that are important in their life.

People are busy, but want to participate

A recent conference by TechCrunch featured 21 people attending remotely for every person onsite.

A client of ours has watched as their online attendance revenue becomes larger then traditional ticket sales.  Online attendance options are additive and does not detract from what the community already enjoys and expects from they event.

Offering a remote attendance option is about providing another opportunity for the community to join in the conference.  This can be done to increase revenue, capture revenue lost due to changing markets, or be offered for free to promote the event.

Should it be free?

An examination of your goals will determine the right decision.  Most conferences should charge for remote attendance.  The content is specialized, real time, would cost money to view in person, and the viewing option is saving the remote attendee travel expenses.

The key to paid remote attendance is that the online offering should be marketed alongside your other ticket packages.  Nothing special, no hype.  Just another option to be a part of the event.  It will be the right purchase for some and those people will gravitate to that selection.  Adding a paid remote attendance option later or marketing it differently than physical attendance will cause confusion among your community.  Live streams that are announced later tend to be offered for free.

Check out how the TED conference markets their livestream option.  $500 dollars for the luxury of not traveling.  Marvelous!  It all depends on how you market the option.

If your content is general interest and tickets will sell out regardless, offer a live stream for free.  Better yet, sell a live stream sponsorship to cover expenses.

The next post will cover what it takes to produce a conference livestream.  Subscribe to my RSS feed to never miss a post.

What a an amazing event.  We introduced over 100,000 viewers from around the world to the sport of Roller Derby.  The bouts were intense.  In the middle of it all, my wife went into labor (week early) and I had to rely on the crew to finish the weekend!

I’ve been asked for DVD’s and would be happy to oblige.  Below you will find an order form.  The small charge is to pay for duplication and shipping.

We would like to continue raising the quality level of derby bout footage.  Please let me know your thoughts and how to fund our efforts.  By providing engaging video, we are helping grow the fan base.  The next step for many online viewers will be a ticket purchase at a local bout.

Thank you,

StreamBoat
aka Joe Christensen

DVD Sales. No Shipping Charges.

About The Rose City Rollers

The Rose City Rollers are women of attitude, passion and athleticism playing a hard-hitting sport of speed and skill. They were pioneers in the rebirth of roller derby and continue to foster its growth. Their goals are to serve their community by empowering women, providing entertainment for their fans and supporting charitable causes.  The Rose City Rollers are a 501c3 non-profit organization and a founding member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

Growth of Live Streaming Derby Bouts

Derby News Network plays a large role in uniting the national derby audience.  They first experimented with video “boutcasts” in late 2008.  Since then every major derby competition has included live internet video coverage.  It has occurred organically.  The community working to produce and share content with each other. Typical bouts are covered with 1 to 2 cameras that focus on a wide shot to ensure the action can be followed.

We have endeavored to tell the passion of the sport through multiple cameras, close-ups, off-track character shots, and post-bout captain interviews.  It is a challenge to compress the energy, fun, and action of the live event into a camera lens that eventually ends up a window on a web page.

The Season opener featured all 4 of Portland’s teams in four 30 minute bouts.  Many, Many thanks to the all-volunteer crew:

Nate DiNiro

Kimberly Gehl

Mike McClure

Mike “Dr. Normal”

Next Event?

We will be broadcasting the Wild West Showdown Febrary 26-28, 2010 from Bremerton, WA.

Timeline:

MM:SS

37:00  Introductions of Teams

92:00  Half time Interview #1

97:00  Half time Interview #2

161:00  Between game interview #1

164:00 Begin of 2nd bout

209:00  Half time Interview #1

270:00 Post bout Interview #1

email your feedback to joe@blazestreaming.com or use the form below.