VIDEO PRODUCTION BOOTCAMP

Attendees gain a basic competence in the core functions of a typical live broadcast,  including:

• Directing
• Connecting the Equipment
•  Communication
• Camera Control and Operation
• Venue Design/Broadcast Setup
• Cable Management

After breaking into work groups, the boot camp will take attendees through the key subject areas that comprise a successful broadcast and culminate in a group exercises that allow them to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a setting that allows for comments and growth.

CAMERA CONTROL AND OPERATION

Small-venue productions typically involve smaller lightweight cameras and broadcasting across the Internet adds a unique nuance to the way shots are framed, switched, and panned. While more easily portable and obtainable, these cameras lack the stability of their larger siblings.

Attendees will be shown and have the opportunity to practice how to control these smaller camera and tripods to produce a high quality internet broadcast experience.
Topics covered:

• Tripod and stance
• Camera core settings
• Camera control and tracking

LIVE PRODUCTION

The live production phase of the training is intended as a vehicle to allow attendees to practice and demonstrate what they’ve learned in the boot camp.  Using the equipment setup earlier in the day, attendees will capture, mix, and broadcast video and audio of a staged event.

Teams will have to plan around the other student teams and figure out how to place their cameras in a way that shares the space with their classmates.  In doing so, they will demonstrate an understanding of the following concepts:

• Camera placement
• Venue design
• Video and audio connectivity

Following the setup phase, one group at a time will perform a small video broadcast while the other teams observe.  The broadcast is set as a challenge.

1. Camera operators will go to their locations
2. Director will be handed a card with a definition of the events that are about to occur.
3. Director will have 2-5 minutes to discuss the production with their crew and sort out a rough camera flow
4. Director will be given a countdown to production time.
5. On the appointed time, the director will attempt to work with his camera crew to capture the event.
6. Attendees not participating in the production will observe a projected screen of the event as it would be web-streamed and recorded.

Following the mock production, the team will be rated on how well they met the objectives with commentary from their fellow classmates and instructors.  Once completed, the next team will take the production until each team has produced an event.

The purpose of this exercise is not to criticize, but instead to give a near real-world exposure to the pressures of actually running a production in front of an audience.  This will hopefully better prepare each group for the realities of the live events they will be working on.  It is anticipated that each subsequent group will be stronger than the one before, and that attendees will learn as much from watching as they do from actually participating in the demonstration.