Zoom Presenter AV Tech Checks – Are you ready for your close-up?

Virtual events aren't going anywhere any time soon and as companies have shifted to a full-time remote workforce over the last two years, most people have figured out how to join and participate in virtual meetings. While most meetings don't require you to turn on your camera, which can save you from a bad hair day or even getting dressed for your work day, there are many occasions when you have to start your video and smile at the camera. So, when the time comes for you to turn on camera, unmute your mic and share your big presentation in a virtual meeting on Zoom or Teams or any virtual event platform, are you ready for your close up? 

As follow up to my last two posts, Build your own Micro Studio and Your Virtual Production Home Studio – There's No Place Like Home, this post shares a checklist my team and I created for our Zoom presenters to help prepare them for virtual stage. We usually schedule a day or more of tech checks with each our presenters before the virtual events that we produce. The tech checks usually take only 15-minutes depending on the level of knowledge and comfort our presenters have with Zoom.  

Zoom Presenter AV Tech Check List

 

Internet Connection

• Use Zoom app not web browser (keep app updated)

• VPN off (it consumes too much bandwidth)

• Wired Internet preferred vs. Wifi (tether to mobile as last resort)

 

Communications

• Zoom controls (video, audio, chat)

• Host will ask to unmute/turn on camera (Host can’t turn on their cameras and need to ask)

• Intercom for communication with production team behind the scenes

 

Clock

• Timer counting down amount of time to present (available for produced events)

 

Audio & Video

• Video - controls, on/off

• Audio – sound check, use computer audio, USB mic or built-in mic vs. telephone

 

Content

• Share content using Zoom share or with video capture card 

• Pin “slide” window to see any Zoom video full screen for your local view

 

Background

• Virtual or physical background

 

Lighting

• Natural or artificial lighting (even lighting)

 

Camera framing

• Camera angle and eye contact (head and shoulders in view with camera at eye line)

Your Virtual Production Home Studio – There's No Place Like Home

Photo credit: Room Rater @ratemyskyperoom

As follow up to my last post, these pro tips come by way of @NewscastStudio from an April 2020 column There’s no place like home – your home studio simplified by Angry Badger Productions. While we've all been doing non-stop virtual meetings now for over two years – and most of us have our office or home  virtual production studio set up – there's always room for improvement. In this blog post, Angry Badgers' Director of Photography shares his Pro Tips for setting up your virtual production home studio or "at least to make improvements in your current set up."

The top ten topics are:

1. Color Temp - keep lights the same color temperature
2. Illumination Level - you should be the brightest part of the picture, use soft light, watch out for backlights
3. Camera Sensitivity/Dynamic Range - make sure you have enough light so your picture isn't too grainy
4. Contrast Ratios - don't over light, keep lights at medium brightness
5. Manual Controls - use manual controls, don't just use auto settings 
6. Camera Support and Placement - get camera a few degrees above eye line, that's the most flattering, stack books, boxes or anything you have to get the right angle
7. Monitoring - keep an eye on your stream, monitor on an iPad or other device
8. Framing and Composition - stay centered in the frame, use rule of thirds, keep background simple
9. Connectivity - use a wired ethernet cable directly to your router so you don’t have to rely of Wi-Fi, it's a more stable connections
10. Prompter - use an iPad or another laptop below the camera, printed scripts and index cards work too

Gear tips:

• Three-light kit with stand
• Compact light with great features from Moman
• Super compact light with great features from Supon
• A simple Joby GorillaPod works well in the home

@NewscastStudio The trade publication for broadcast production, including broadcast technology, engineering, production tools, set design, gfx, augmented reality and virtual.

#WFH Look better-Check out our #lighting #Protips for #homestudio from #AngryBadger via @newscaststudio https://t.co/exiBZFoJqi pic.twitter.com/O0hTeUBbDz

— Kathryn Mosher-Boule (@kmosherboule) April 17, 2020

The Future of TV and The Great Unbundling of Video Services - Jim Louderback, Revision3

We're in the end game of the of the great unbundling of video services, says Jim Louderback, CEO of Revision3, as next generation television channels shift from traditional models to IPTV video networks. Experts agree that the overall TV experience and PayTV business model will see dramatic changes over the next five years. The emergence of cloud-based services, OTT (over-the-top) content delivery, multi-screen entertainment, and the unbundling services are all driving that change.

I caught up with Louderback recently at the TV Next Con 2011 where he spoke on the executive panel session, Executive Panel Discussion, "MSO, Satellite and Telco Operator 2.0 – The Rise of the Next Gen Service Provider". He shared some of his thoughts on the changing video landscape and the great unbundling of services.

The Great Unbundling 

The internet is all about unbundling, says Louderback and the print and music industries have been unbundled. Why buy the entire newspaper or magazine when you can read it for free online, or buy a CD when you buy the track online you want from iTunes or Amazon? According to Louderback, Cable TV is next.

Louderback says, "We’re in the early days of a great unbundling of services from transport. Over the past 30 years, TV services and the cables they run upon have been inextricably linked — you paid your cable bill, and got wire and channels together… I see these unbundled cable services giving way to direct relationships between video content providers and customers." (from How YouTube Wins in the Great Unbundling of Cable TV : Jim Louderback)

Louderback maintains, that within the next few years most of the video we consume will be delivered over an open IP network, ending the long monopoly of proprietary services delivered through cable, satellite and broadcast streams. But even though our favorite shows will be delivered mostly on-demand, we'll still have bundles of services - but it will just be offered in new ways.

"Every screen, every glowing rectangle in your life is a television. You're going to want to watch television on it, and the viewers that watch Revision3 very clearly tell us that they don't care about the screen size."

Viewers are going to watch video on the best screen available. When they're on the go, they may want to watch Epic Mealtime on their cell phone, but when they get home they'll want to watch it on a big screen. Louderback says that those two things – all video delivered over IP networks, and on any screen – leads to what he call "the great unbundling."

All these video services will be delivered direct to all these screens wherever they are all around the world that provides, "anytime, anywhere, any device, any session, so session shifting joins time shifting and place shifting and devices shifting." But the really interesting thing Louderback sees happening is that everything is going direct to consumer.

Super-Premium Channels, Super-Premium Bundles and Premium Independents = The Future of TV?

Louderback sees three distinct services emerging that he calls: Super-Premium Channels, Super-Premium Bundles and Premium Independents.

"Right now," he says, "your video services, your channels are bundled to the transport. So you get cable, you buy the network and you buy the video channels – that's all starting to break apart. In this IP world, I believe we're going to have types or three tiers of services."

Netflix is one Super Premium Channel, he says, and HBO is well positioned to be the second. "These single brand services provide libraries of unique and aggregated content to consumers for between $8 and $20 a month." He thinks Showtime, Epix and Amazon have potential and Hulu's future is uncertain.

Louderback says that as TV Everywhere matures, Super Premium Bundles will emerge and be offered directly to consumers from the likely suspects: Time Warner, ABC/Disney, NBC/Comcast, Viacom and Fox. These five companies will build direct billing relationships with consumers and offer a broad set of networks and shows that will appeal widely across all demographics, "and will deliver a mostly on-demand service over traditional broadband networks - with live sports, news and other events serving as anchors."(From MediaPost Publications Get Ready for the Great Video Unbundling 09/21/2011)

He says YouTube now wants to be the sixth Super Premium Bundle of services delivered direct to the consumer via IP, sitting at the same level as Time Warner, ABC/Disney, NBC/Comcast, Viacom and Fox. YouTube has been reinventing itself for some time, with its recent announcement of new channels of original entertainment coming to YouTube by A-lister stars and content producers from the TV, film, music, news, and sports fields Hollywood, its complete overhaul of the site today into a more TV-centric channel design, and that it now serves 3.5 billion videos each month, it's clear that Google wants to take on the traditional broadcast and cable networks. According to Louderback, "They want to be the Mall of America for video, with folks like us and the other independents as anchor tenants."

Louderback sees a huge opportunity for Premium Independents to build billion dollar businesses as content becomes unbundled from transport. These are companies like Revision3, Blip.tv, Ion, BBC America, the Hallmark Channel and others, that offer free programming over IP direct to consumers and they look very different from today's independent cable networks.

"In the end it's all about shelf space. All of us are racing to build a session-shifting experience that lives as an icon across everything from the smallest smart-phone to the biggest smart TV. Because in the next five years if it's a glowing rectangle, then it is a video consumption device - or what we used to call a TV." (From MediaPost Publications Get Ready for the Great Video Unbundling 09/21/2011)

About Jim Louderback
Jim Louderback, Chief Executive Officer, Revision3
Launched and managed operations at cable channels, magazines, websites and online video companies including Ziff-Davis, TechTV, PC Magazine and ExtremeTech.com. He started his career at JPMorgan Chase, and has also done work for Pepsi, National Semiconductor and Citibank. He's been CEO of Revision3 since 2007, and has guided the company to profitability and more than 40 million views a month. Jim has an MBA from The Stern School at NYU, and a BS in Mathematics from the University of Vermont. He is a fan of cooking, music, movies, companies with extraneous letters in their names and anything with a 3 in it. Follow @jlouderb

Related:

• MediaPost Publications Get Ready for the Great Video Unbundling 09/21/2011
• How YouTube Wins in the Great Unbundling of Cable TV : Jim Louderback
• Why The Internet And Apps Will Crumble The TV Business - Business Insider
• Hello, YouTube 'Channel' Partners. Here's Some Friendly Advice | DigitalNext: A Blog on Emerging Media and Technology - Advertising Age
• The Future Of Cable Television With Jim Louderback of Revision3
• Jim Louderback, Revision3 CEO on the Future of Broadcast and Web Television -- Part 1 of 2 - YouTube
• Jim Louderback, Revision3 CEO on the Future of Broadcast and Web Television -- Part 2 of 2 - YouTube
• Why The Internet And Apps Will Crumble The TV Business - Business Insider
• YouTube Blog: More great content creators coming to YouTube
• YouTube Blog: Get more into what you love on YouTube with our new look

Updated: 12/2/2011 Re: YouTube redesign

NAB 2010 Special Giveaway for Destination Broadband, The Online Video Experience

The NAB Show has a history of over 80 years, and brings together attendees from all over the world – from content holders to broadcasting and movie industries and manufacturers of broadcasting equipment and software/hardware. The show has evolved over the years as broadband and mobile networks have eroded the old power of the traditional broadcast models.  The new focus is on broadband video, digital media, online content, IPTV, widgets and social media. This year at the 2010 NAB Show, the annual trade show produced by of the National Association of Broadcasters will include a new conference and exhibit area focusing on advances and applications for broadband technology. Destination Broadband and the Broader-casting Conference are the newest broadband-centric additions to the NAB Show coming up April 10-15 in Las Vegas.

I have a special registration code for the readers of this blog, giving you access to the show – a $150 value - for FREE. This special pass includes the exhibit floor, the Opening Keynote and State of the Industry Address, Info Sessions, Content Theater, Destination Broadband Theater and Exhibits. All readers need to do is register at http://nabshow.com/register with the code A913.

Destination Broadband, will feature more than 50 leading-edge companies and a presentation theater, with three days of conference sessions focusing on back end infrastructure to revolutionary technologies for the home. A pavilion within Destination Broadband will feature three specialized areas - Broadband Innovations, Mobile Solutions and Broadband Lifestyles, a living room-like setting for consumer products and services. The pavilion will comprise more than 25 companies showcasing the latest in content delivery network solutions, online video, IPTV, video streaming and advertising and monetization platforms enabled by broadband.

Also located within Destination Broadband, the Destination Broadband Theater, sponsored by Ambrado, Inc., will offer informative discussions, case studies, research and top level insights on delivering and monetizing broadband content. The power panels featuring "Bits and Bytes" segments will also address how the evolution of broadband is changing traditional content distribution. The Destination Broadband Theater is co-produced by the Society of Satellite Professionals International, World Teleport Association, VideoNuze, The New Media Minute, Interactive Television Alliance (ITA) and other industry experts. Will Richmond and Daisy Whitney will be among the many industry voices that will be heard.

ITA President Ben Mendelson said:

"It's terrific to see the NAB Show stepping up to meet the challenges brought by the digital revolution. Not only is the venerable show adapting, it's aggressively pursuing innovations on the floor and in the conference. Clearly, the NAB Show intends to expand its relevance within the 21st Century television and media landscape."

Also debuting at the NAB Show, the New Broader-casting conference gathers leading media executives, content creators and technicians for an in-depth examination of the intersection of creativity, technology and developing business models. Programming streams include a Business of Media, Creative and Technology track.

• The Business of Media Track offers keynotes, topic-driven panels and case studies devoted to uncovering the strategies and business of digital media.
• The Creative Track provides a sampling of in-depth curriculums provided by NAB Show partners and is specially designed for talented professionals from the entertainment industry.
• The Technology: Broadband and Telecom 2010 covers most recent developments in standards in technologies driving the broadcast entertainment and information media industries with a focus on IPTV and broadband.

Register here or View the schedule.

The NAB Show is about Content, Digital Asset Management/IT Workflow Technologies, Motion Capture, Digital Signage, Online Video, Gaming, Social Media, Advertising, Film, Video, Set Top Boxes, Radio, Streaming, Distribution, Content Monetization, Broadband, Mobile, Broadband Networks, Animation, IP, HDTV, 3D, Editing, Production, Post-Production, Software, Widgets, and much much more. Plus it's in Las Vegas! ;-)

Twitter – NAB Show (NABShow) on Twitter
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/NAB-Show/
LinkedIn - NAB Show - Where Content Comes to Life group | LinkedIn

NAB Show Fast Facts

• More than 85,000 audio, video and film content professionals
• 157 countries represented
• $30 billion in purchasing power
• 500+ conference and training sessions
• 1,500+ exhibiting companies and 800,000+ net square feet of exhibit space
• 1,300+ members of the press
• 82 years of industry leadership

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

Dr. Horrible Hijacks the Emmys, Declares "Television is Dead"

In what was a long, drawn out and over-produced spectacle of Hollywood award shows, the 61st annual prime-time Emmys, had an interesting web television moment when Dr. Horrible hijacked the show. Neil Patrick Harris, adding to his hosting duties reprised his role as the evil character from Joss Whedon's acclaimed web series musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

In the middle of the broadcast Dr. Horrible interrupted the program and mockingly declared, 

"Do not adjust your set America. Your so-called Emmys have been hijacked by Dr. Horrible. I have hacked into your broadcast to declare that television is dead. No more corporate entertainment. No more self-congratulatory award shows with athletic and luminous hosts. The future of home entertainment is the Internet."

His arch nemesis Captain Hammer played by Nathan Fillion, also appeared along with cameos from co-stars Felicia Day and Simon Helberg. The hit web television also won a Creative Arts Emmy in the Outstanding Special Class – Short-Form Live-Action Entertainment Programs category earlier in the week. 

In his acceptance speech creator Joss Whedon said, 

"This is our small proof not only that things can be done differently in this business, but that the greatest expression of rebellion is joy.”

On a related note, earlier in the evening Julia Louis-Dreyfus joked that viewers were witnessing “the last official year of network broadcast television." While that may be sometime in the future you can bet that they'll be back next year.

Realted: 

• Wait, Aren’t The Emmys Supposed To Be For TV Shows? | Columnists | Mediaite
  
• » Dr Horrible Wins An Emmy!: Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
  
• drhorrible (drhorrible) on Twitter
  
• Hulu - Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog - Watch the full episode now.
  

Online Video Presidential Inauguration Special

The Presidential Inauguration is shaping up to be one of the biggest online video viewing events of the Internet to date. Over two million people will be attending the Obama Inauguration on CNN.com Live with Facebook. Countless micro-bloggers and citizen journalists will be reporting and mobile broadcasting from Washington, D.C. via Twitter, Qik, Flixwagon and Kyte. There are many options to watch it and here are a few of your best options. General information about the inauguration can be found at the sites for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Hulu will be broadcasting the inauguration in the video player below using Fox Broadcast’s stream from 12-2 p.m. ET. The inauguration will be available on-demand following the live feed.

• Where to Watch Obama’s Inauguration on Jan. 20th-GigaOm Om Malik put together a nice list of broadband and mobile
  

• The TechCrunch Guide To The InaugurationErick Schonfeld put together a monster list where to watch, where to stay, where to share and iPhone Apps and Follow-up

• Where to Watch Obama’s Inauguration Online « NewTeeVee

• Facebook | Obama Inauguration on CNN.com Live with Facebook

• Beet.TV: Program Alert: Watch Live CBS News Coverage of the Inauguration of Barack Obama Right Here on Beet.TV
  
• Beet.TV: Exclusive: CNN.com to Debut In-Stream Commercials during Live Inauguration Coverage, could be "Most Watched Event in Internet History"

• Mogulus Blog » Blog Archive » Watch Inauguration Day on Mogulus

• The Inauguration Will Be Televised — and Tweeted and Flickr’d - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

Live streaming options

• ABCNEWS.com

• C-Span
  

• CBS News

• Comcast.net

• CNN.com

• Current TV

• FOXNews.com

• Livestation

• MSNBC

• USAToday.com

• Ustream.tv

Connect

HBO Premieres ‘Flight of the Conchords’ on Funny or Die

HBO has launched an online video campaign to promote its new season of Flight of The Conchords by premiering the first episode of season 2 on Funny or Die. The episode is set to air next month on HBO is January 18, 2009 at 10:00 PM, and will available online from Wednesday, December 17th until Sunday, December 21. The video is only available in the US (see the description below.)

I've embedded the video below and will most likely replace it with a still image once the video is no longer available. Enjoy it while you can!

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

Description:
Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only)
Bret and Jemaine are back and finally so is The Flight of the Conchords. Sorry guys, the video only works in the US. We all want the WHOLE world to be able to watch Flight of the Conchords, but to be honest, legally we only have rights to stream the video in the US. But there will be other opportunities internationally to watch it. HBO.com Canada (http://hbocanada.com/) will be streaming the premiere episode of Flight of the Conchords Season 2 in 6 days starting on Tuesday December 23. For other international FOTC fans please check your local providers for additional details regarding when the episode will be broadcast in your area.

About the online video premiere Chris Spadaccini, VP for advertising and promotion at HBO said, “After the success of last season, we knew that online sampling would be the most effective way to energize the ‘Flight of the Conchords’ fan base and generate excitement for season two,” and added , “FunnyorDie has emerged as the go-to destination for great online comedy content, and the decision to partner with them to launch the new season was an easy one.”

HBO has also launched a Flight of the Conchords' LipDub Fansterpiece contest for fans to enter with the chance to be featured in a HBO screening. For more information go to: http://www.flightlipdub.com/

Related:

• Tilzy.TV » HBO Tests Digital with Flight of The Conchords and Funny or Die
• Tilzy.TV » ‘Flight of the Conchords’ Premieres on Funny or Die
• Flight of the Conchords Premieres a Month Early Online | The Underwire from Wired.com
• Flight of the Conchords season premiere lands early online » VentureBeat
• HBO Previews ‘Conchords’ Online at FunnyorDie.com - TVWeek - News

Steve Garfield Asks Jimmy Fallon How He Plans To Include "The People Formally Known As The Audience" Into Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon is gearing up to take over Late Night from Conan O'Brien on March 2, 2009 and spent the last week on Twitter. With so many "real" Twitter accounts it's cool when it's the real person engaged in social media and community. Jimmy is on numerous social networks and he posted his first video blog entry on Monday, December 8th introducing it as a new nightly feature of his new show. In the 90 second video he gives a behind the scenes look at the Studio 6B the historic space where he will host the show and introduces Ask Jimmy? a feature that he will use to answer questions that come to him from the Internet and his house band The Roots.

He uploaded a new video everyday this past week answering questions in today's video, DECEMBER 12TH - ASK JIMMY. Who other than the great Steve Garfield from SteveGarfield.com showed up in the video to ask Jimmy the following question:

"Steve: It's great to see you videoblogging, I love the behind the scenes stuff and I'm excited about the possibility of you including content from the people formally known as the audience. What are you going to do with that, how are you going to include us?

Jimmy: Thanks, that's a good question Steve Garfield. We want to include the audience as much as we can... This willl carry over to our show... I think it's awesome. Whatever's coming out, however we can incorporate technology with the audience, and our show, you will be on the show. Good question." - from Steve Garfield's Off On A Tangent: Daily weblog on pop culture and technology.

It's will be interesting to see if he can keep up with a daily video blog like Ze Frank. At least Jimmy has a team of writers, producers and TV network to help him.


Thanks to Steve Garfield for posting this on his blog.

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Mogulus Pro Launches Today: New Features Include HD Quality, White Label, Privacy, Analytics & More Available

From the announcement:
Mogulus Blog » Blog Archive » Mogulus Pro Launches: HD Quality, White Label, Privacy, Analytics & More Available Today

What is Mogulus PRO?

"Mogulus Pro gives you the same great, industry-leading features and functionality that you now enjoy with your Mogulus FREE account - and more! We've added a bundle of new features geared toward professional producers, so you can have even more quality, control and flexibility."

• Learn more about Mogulus Pro
• Preview quality and features at the Pro Channel Showcase

Hear Mogulus CEO Max Haot describe the features of Mogulus Pro:

PBS to broadcast The Rape of Europa nationwide in US on Monday, Nov 24th

My friend Tami Stepanek sent me this announcement from Richard Berge of Actual Films. Tami and her husband Petr both had worked on the film which was released in 2006 and will air on PBS next Monday, November 24 at 9 pm. Check your local listings to confirm times in your area.

"The Rape of Europa tells the epic story of the systematic theft, deliberate destruction and miraculous survival of Europe’s art treasures during the Third Reich and World War II. In a journey through seven countries, the film takes the audience into the violent whirlwind of fanaticism, greed, and warfare that threatened to wipe out the artistic heritage of Europe. For twelve long years, the Nazis looted and destroyed art on a scale unprecedented in history. But heroic young art historians and curators from America and across Europe fought back with an extraordinary campaign to rescue and return the millions of lost, hidden and stolen treasures.

The Rape of Europa begins and ends with the story of artist Gustav Klimt’s famed Gold Portrait, stolen from Viennese Jews in 1938 and now the most expensive painting ever sold." - from Acyual Films: The Rape of Europa Web Site

From: ActualFilms
Trailer for the newly released feature documentary film about the fate of art in the Third Reich and World War II. The film, based on the landmark history by Lynn H. Nicholas, is now playing at film festivals. www.therapeofeuropa.com

Winner of
Audience Award Best Documentary Feature Boston Jewish Film Festival
Best of Fest Palm Springs International Film Festival
Audience Award Best Documentary Film Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Executive Producer - Bonni Cohen
Producers - Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen, and Nicole Newnham
Co-producer - Robert M. Edsel
Cinematographer - Jon Shenk
Editor - Josh Peterson
Narrator - Joan Allen
A Production of Actual Films in association with Agon Arts & Entertainment and Oregon Public Broadcasting
Based on The Rape of Europa by Lynn H Nicholas

Related:

• Actual Films - Films
• THERAPEOFEUROPA.COM
• YouTube - The Rape of Europa
• The Rape of Europa - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com