TECHNIQUES FOR VIDEOTAPING A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

This is an article to share with your production company for your next taping session. Obviously, if you are working with an experienced video crew, they will know much more than this article covers. Use this article with less-experienced personnel to assure you obtain good-quality footage and sound recording.

• Always mic the audience. Use a hypercardoid (or shotgun) microphone on mic stand in front of room, out of shot range. Assign this microphone to Channel 1 on the record tape.

• Assign the speaker’s wireless mic to Channel 2 on the recording device.

• Use Beta SP, mini DV or a DV cam as the master shoot format. If these formats are not available, VHS or ¾” formats are O.K. and will cost less than Beta and other formats.

• Use pipe and drape to hide doors, exit signs, fire alarms or other unattractive wall items that cannot be removed.

• Use professional lighting. Keep out of the eyes of audience members by using umbrellas or bouncing light off the ceiling. Two 1K lights should be sufficient if set up in the side aisles at a 45° angle to the platform.

• As mentioned before, gather plants from the meeting facility’s hall or lobby or ask to borrow plants or “props” to dress up the stage a bit. Be careful not position plants so that they appear to growing out of the head of the person in your shot; consider grouping them in clusters to accent the stage simply. Don’t overdo it on props; use good judgment. Plus, your videographer can assist in this area, to capture pleasing footage framing.

• Never shoot into windows or mirrors. Windows will be a distraction and often too bright as a background. Mirrors could show the camera and faces unwanted in camera shots. As mentioned before, if mirrors exist in the area you are to present your speech, you may wish to forego videotaping in this type of environment.

• Always do a test record before beginning the program. Be sure camera is white balanced and audio is clean and free from buzzes.

Always get references on a video production company or independent shooter. Video production companies can be found in the Yellow Pages. Independent shooters can be located through TV stations near the event. When calling a TV station, ask for the production department. Once connected, ask for names and numbers of two or three independent video camera operators. Get quotations and what the quotes cover.

It’s important to stand out from the crowd in a positive way. As a professional, it’s important to differentiate yourself from competitors and the legions of others using VHS video brochures aimed at your very same target markets. Upgrading to DVD-style video marketing brochures is a superior way to customize a marketing presentation that highlights your diversity – to appeal to diverse audiences.

Primeau Productions offers the following merits to consider developing a DVD-style marketing brochure.

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