I was recently asked about best practice in terms of video podcasting & recording techniques.
Specifically the question was asked by a speaker who we will be recording this weekend.
In terms of tools we have been using Adobe, imac and Camptasia.
Kitwise: 2x 3CCD based DV Cams and 1x single channel wireless mic + 1x wired mic.
It is important to brief the speaker on the following areas:
Articulation of words, including gaps between long speaking sections
Ensuring what we call, ‘in range’ shots. We use a cover cam that records from a wide angle and in parallel the main camera that focuses on the speaker. The wide angle cover cam includes capturing any slides/powerpoint activity to assure post production timings.
We have it on good authority that the attention span for viewers is approx 45 seconds, therefore, the camera person may ask for selective shots after a conference to create subtle interludes between the session. NB In addition, avoid panning in and out too much.
When recording an audience it is best to get a disclaimer signed that also authorises the permission for recording them.
For video podcasting it is likely that the final images/output will be small, therefore, selective recording of close-ups is recommended.
Sound quality is important - an external mic on a long cable is recommended (safely positioned) for audience questions.
In a conference situation a variety of seating arrangements are possible - a personal preference is what we describe as workshop style, i.e: lay out tables in a clustered diamond shape with 4-5 seats - again with safe access.
Take stills of specific exhibits for inclusion at a later date.
Test all equipment, keep spare batteries & audit pre+post packing.
Agree a high-level structure of the session but allowing the speaker/facilitator to be creative.
At the end of the day it is all about creating a valuable experience even if a 3 hour session becomes 12mins of video.
In terms of educational seminars - Video Screencasting / latter inclusion within an online education seminar agreeing core
subject areas, fading between each one with a good intro, flags to each section and a good summary can all help to make a worthwhile refresher and engaging viewing experience.
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Corporate Podcasting and Training
This week we are looking at how New media and Corporate podcasting strategies can help enhance / support learning.
For example:
Integrate audio and video into your traditional Internet / Intranet
Incorporate podcasting into training initiatives as refresher knowledge nuggets!
Develop eInduction strategies that contain New media elements (social bookmarking & then communicating associated findings)
Re-burn the content you develop into a SCORM object so that it can be both reused and accessed via a Learning management system (LMS), for example: MOODLE, Blackboard/WebCBT or SumTotal
Share knowledge about new products with a dealer channel through a separate feed mechanism
Recently I attended a presentation where SACA the charity organisation that organises the yearly Birmingham to London Cycle ride (UK) gave a £25,000 cheque to the charity - Children with Leukaemia (please see picture below). Fauja Singh the world’s fastest and oldest marathon runner and Christopher Biggins - winner of the ‘I’m a Celebrity get me out of here’ reality tv programme both kindly gave up their time to receive the cheque on behalf of the charity.
Last Wednesday Knowledge Hemispheres recently edited the video for Bal Rashmi Children’s orphanage (see below).
I wondered if the the power of Web 2.0 and New Media tools is being used to help spread a message of hope.
The power of YouTube, Ning and Facebook have the potential to spread knowledge and also unite people around a common cause.
For example:
Short field based documentaries
Community based volunteer sites
Inserting into Podcasts (video and audio) advertisements to help raise funds
Announcements on areas of need and development
‘Live’ updates from those taking part in Sponsored events
Journalists logging key, ‘on the ground’ facts
Corporate charity activities - if involved - e.g: Corporate podcasts with updates
Linking schools and initiatives together through Youtube type channels / Video sharing sites
I recently met an exBBC producer who said that the good thing about new media was that no longer are enormous transporters required to carry audio and video equipment to produce shows. He was right but only for mobile and web-content. However, good editing tools and associated skills can help in developing engaging content.
There must be an opportunity here for new media to usher in an era of reporting with hope for humanity in mind.
Video podcasts will now not be monthly. Instead, they will focus on specific examples or talking through case studies
Audio podcasts will be fortnightly and instead of a selective Corporate Podcasting topic followed by a white paper, they
will be shorter and focus on everyday potential corporate application of New media tools, for example: Corporate Podcasting,
internal communication strategies and complementing general marketing and sales approaches.
Premium casts and a downloadable course will be available over the coming weeks.
My personal Thanks to Travis Vega for his awesome music.
To subscribe and listen, head for i-tunes or listen now by clicking on the play button below:
Corporate Podcasting and Public Relations (PR)
I noted with interest a recent call to a big theme park that they had selected a new PR organisation for their ‘digital marketing’ strategy. Unfortunately, they were not friendly in talking about why they considered new media as being an important tool to them.
This week’s podcast coincides with the start of Season 2 of the Corporate Podcasting show.
An increase in the frequency of new shows hopes that we can capture and share the innovation that is happening today.
Back to this week…
We need to understand the role that Podcasting or new media tools can have for both the communications strategy and marketing strategy of an organisation. Yes, there is a difference as messaging has to be considered both from an internal and external perspective. Podcasting application to PR, especially with RSS enabled feeds provides a great measurable and consistent form of both reusing content but also providing it in a branded manner.
