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Day One Media helps businesses tell their story in memorable ways. Employing the tools of video production, photography and graphic design, Day One Media crafts beautiful and moving pieces that have a lasting impact on customers. We have worked for numerous clients and delivered world-class service resulting in elevated brand awareness and motivating current and new buyers to our clients' businesses. We work with your target in mind: results in your bottom line. Current clients include Fluor, Xerox, Billy Graham Association, Samaritan's Purse.

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Filtering by Tag: video production

Livestream Fast Track Checklist for Business

Gil Ngai

Greenscreens let you do really cool things.

You’ve been charged with a livestream for your company. You’ve done your share of research and videos on the topic. Now it’s time to gather what you need. You’ll need a budget of $10K+. If that doesn’t ruffle your feathers, read on! Here’s the checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything.

  1. The Team: It’s pretty tough to do a livestream event solo. Of course it’s technically possible but why put yourself through that immense stress? Here are the roles you need to fill:

    A. Director: This will most likely be you. Someone needs to ensure everyone is on task and be the one to make any crucial decisions as they are needed. You will also give prompts and commands to your team, your stage talent and directing all your switcher and camera operators, to your audio tech. It’s a big job and its critical. You might even add a Stage Manager if you it’s a bigger production.

    B. Switcher: This role ensures all the cameras are functional at your command station and will make the cuts from one camera to another throughout the event.

    C. Camera Operators: You’ll want to 2 or more camera operators. For a professional feel, aim for at least 3–5.

    D. Audio Technician: You may have one or two of these depending on their skill. Audio Techs manage the room sound (commonly know as the PA system) as well as the livestream audio. This requires two separate mixer boards.

    E. Graphics/Media Tech: A graphics tech manages the placement of slides, logos, lyrics, photos, and any other external content like videos, into the program. If there is a lot of content, you’ll want two individuals.

    F. Online Moderator: This roles manages the chat box, the Q&A, and any other tasks related to the platform, such as on Zoom, they can set pins, assign permissions, etc. This person also monitors the quality of the livestream video and audio and relays this information to the Director.

  2. The Gear: You’ll need to rent, borrow or purchase this list of gear. For reliability its best to avoid consumer grade gear such as those you’d find on Amazon. You can rent at AV rental shops such as Long & McQuade in Canada and Ciné AudioVisual.

    A. AV System. For venues that don’t provide this, you’ll need a system for sound. This typically includes speakers and stands, and a mixer board.

    B. Microphones: Choose between wired handheld stage microphones or wireless lapel-style microphones. You'll need one for every person that speaks on stage. You could swap them out between your talent if there are time gaps between some individuals, however this can be risky and stressful in a live setting.

    C. Lighting: For venues without stage lighting, you need at least a 3 light kit for video. This typically includes three 1K LED panels or LED video spotlights with soft boxes. You may need more than three for larger spaces.

    D. Audio Mixer Boards: To manage more than one speaker on stage, you need one mixer for the rooms sound and one mixer for the livestream. If you only have only one talent, you can get away with running the mic into your video camera providing that camera has audio level controls.

    E. Video Cameras and tripods: For small simple events, small SLR and M4/3 cameras can work fine providing they can run a clean HDMI out signal and does not have a time limit on its HDMI output. These cameras cost about $1000 and up. Professional camcorders are a better choice as they include smooth zoom and exposure adjustments. This allows you to make adjustments to the image while live without an amateurish jarring or shakey effect. Pro camcorders are around $2500 and up. To avoid mismatched images, it’s best to keep all your cameras the same, or at least the same brand. Cameras of different brands and types will each have their own image style. Different camera images can be quite jarring when cutting between them. For tripods, be sure it is a fluid-head video tripod. Test to ensure it pans and tilts like butter: smooth as silk. Low budgets ones under $100 don’t usually work.

    F. Switcher: A switcher console such as the DJI Atem Mini allows you to plug in all your cameras and switch between them giving you a more professional look. A one static camera livestream is so boring it almost guarantees no one will watch until the end. Choose a switcher that has recording ability so that you can record the entire livestream to disk.

    G. Monitors: You’ll need a minimum of one monitor for your switcher. It’s ideal to have another so that your team can see what’s going on. Another one for your talent is also helpful so they can see how they are presenting themselves.

    H. Computers: Laptops are needed to manage graphics and other external media as well one laptop dedicated to monitor the livestream. The moderator should also have their own computer.

    I. Cables: You need a ton of cables: HDMI cables to connect all your cameras to the switcher. Audio XLR cables to connect mics to the mixers (unless you have wireless mics) Internet CAT5/6 cables. Long power cables. USB-C or Thunderbolt cable to connect your laptop to the switcher.

    J. Software: There are numerous options for streaming software such as Restream, Vimeo Livestream, OBS, all with varying features and costs. Most have a free or trial option for you to try out before you commit. Switchers such as Black Magic’s include some basic software.

    K. Com System: You need a way to communicate with your team during the event without running around and talking to them. You can use:

    1. Cell phones with an intercom app and earbuds/AirPods with mics.

    2. Walkie Talkies with headsets

    3. Dedicated intercom systems with headsets and mic built-in.

    You might guess that each level of coms above increases in cost progressively but also in quality and reliability.

    L. A hardwire internet connection. For reliability your location should provide internet that you can plug into with a CAT5/6 cable. Test the speed of their internet with a site such as Speedtest.net to ensure solid high upload speeds.

  3. Optional Items: Projector, screen, TVs, extra monitors, batteries for cameras, capture cards such as Elgato Camlink if plugging HDMI cameras into your laptop. These additional items may be needed to further enhance the event experience.

    Phew! We made it. OK that is a pretty long list. But if you want to do it right, don’t skip anything. If all this is not your idea of a good time, bring on a livestream video production company. Be sure to meet with them to discuss what your vision and goals are to ensure they have the know-how and all the gear needed to deliver your livestream event.

    Livestreaming can be an overwhelming experience but with careful planning and having all the right pieces in place, it can be a very fulfilling experience broadcasting your event to the world.

    If you need recommendations of what and where to buy, connect with us directly. We would be glad to help!