What the virtual zoom audience sees.
How to set up your virtual stage.
You’ve heard that phrase “Lights, Camera, Action!” and then that frame snaps. The camera starts and the actors perform.
Today YOU are the actor and the Audio/Visual tech.
You might go to a production studio or delegate the A/V to someone on your team. But, there will be times when it’s just you.
What do you need to know? What do you need to do?
It takes a village. A special nod goes to Robin Creasman (robincreasman.com) for all of his guidance in helping me jump out of my comfort zone on all of this stuff! This upgrade is due to Robin’s online class.
Lights. You’ve already heard during these past 9 months how important your lighting is and where the light needs to shine (in front of you, not behind you). But wait, there’s more. We now recommend that you purchase 2 LED light panels to place at 45-degree angles in front of you. Natural light during the day also works, but it could be cloudy. In our Northern Hemisphere it gets dark in some places as soon as 4pm. Extra lighting for afternoon and nighttime events – essential.
Behind the scenes for zoom presentation
Sound. Notice I’ve added “sound” into the iconic quote. Your audio embedded in your computer works. But wait, there’s more. To really get good sound we recommend the Blue Yeti mic and we’ve recently started using a RODE Wireless Lavaliere – especially when you’re standing and moving around. If your video audience can’t hear you, they will delete you.
Camera. Your camera embedded in your computer works. But wait, there’s more. We now use a Brio 4k Camcorder for better quality.
Action. You’re usually seated for your zoom meetings/webinars. But wait, there’s more. If you are the sole presenter we recommend you stand to deliver your message. You have more energy and it’s more dynamic for you and your crowd.
Last night I put all of these suggestions to good use when presenting to my National Speakers Association colleagues. You’ll see from these pics that I turned our TV into a PPT monitor via an HDMI cable so that I did not have to use the Share Screen Function. You’ll also see the computer is placed on a stand so that I’m eye-level with the laptop while standing.
Bonus Tip: Place pics around the camera lens of people you like! Stare at them throughout your presentation. Don’t look at your computer screen – it will look like you’re looking down.
Irony: Last night went great. But wait, there’s more. The recording – handled elsewhere – did not happen!! We re-record this evening. And that’s “Lights, Sound, Camera, Action, and Action”.
Got additional insights? Send your blog comments below.
© 2020 Karen Cortell Reisman, MS, Executive Communication Author & Speaker. All rights reserved.
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Great tips – especially about the led lights. Just in time for my family Thanksgiving zoom. Always wondered why that one cousin always looks so much better than the rest of us – front lighting is her secret.
Roger – in Norway, during the winter season, you really do need some good lighting for zoom meetings and calls. Please place some good lamps right in front of you. Let me know how the Thanksgiving zoom calls go. Thanks for your comments.
KCR
Hilarious about forgetting the record button. Real relief to know that the Pro does that, too.
It is hilarious NOW! Not then. We did re-record and it is comforting to know that in our new virtual world that the A/V pros can make mistakes too.