Videotaping an ILT classroom, best hardware/software setup?
Mar 07, 2014
Friends,
I just started doing ed tech support for a rather large organization with multiple training groups spread across the map. They often get requests that go something like this: "We have a bigtime presenter coming in to give a lecture. Can you videotape it for us so we can make it available to those who cannot attend?" So they grab their little video tape recorder and wireless mic...put the mic on the speaker's lapel and set the recorder on a tripod at the back of the room.
The results are less than stellar; a little image in the distance frequently walking out of view, weak, inconsistent audio, no capture of audience questions...overall a wasted effort.
My solution has been to ask the presenter to sit down with their presentation and use a webcam and high quality mic to capture the information. Unfortunately, some presenters won't do this. So here is my question:
Have you found an effective setup and process to cleanly capture such classroom presentations? Advice on hardware, software, and procedure would be welcomed.
Thanks!!
5 Replies
It's a difficult task to get useful video from that setup. But it can be done.
What you'll need is more than one camera. A minimum of two, and preferably three.
angle shot of the presentation. Set your second camera (also on a tripod) to one side of the presentation area (at a 30 - 45 degree angle from the centerline). This is a medium shot. If you are fortunate enough to have a third camera, let it be a "roamer." It can be hand-held, and the operator can alternate between recording close-ups of the presenter or taking a few shots of the audience. If you can only swing two cameras, use the second one as a "roamer."
In terms of sound recording, let one camera be the control. The other two (even if they're recording audio) will be for video only. This will likely be camera two, using either a shotgun mike or a wireless lapel mike as you mentioned, or if you only have two cameras, the one capturing the long wide-angle shot.
The key is to run all of the cameras for the full presentation. Afterwards, each camera's footage is inserted in separate timeline tracks of editing software. There are many inexpensive video-editing packages out there; I used Corel's VideoStudio, just because it was the software I had as a hobbyist.
The idea is to be able to cut to different shots of the speaker (for example, when the speaker walks out of frame on the wide shot). Since you're only using on camera to record audio, this provides continuity and consistent audio levels, no matter which camera's video is being presented. Creative editing in this manner can hide a multitude of sins.
One issue that's a real pain -- if the presented is using a projector and screen with, for example, a PowerPoint Presentation, it's a lighting nightmare. Viewers won't be able to see or read what's on the screen, and the automatic lighting features on many cameras will make the rest of the picture too dark.
If that's the setup, try to place the cameras in such a way to avoid recording the illuminated screen.
In post-production, use stills of the PowerPoint in the video as needed; just cut them in and out of the video as needed.
Finally, manage expectations beforehand. You can do the best you can, but you're fighting against poor lighting conditions, a live (and therefore unpredictable environment), and probably having to resort to consumer-grade equipment. It's not going to be a Hollywood production, but you can make it bearable -- and effective to a degree.
Hey Dave,
Thanks for such a comprehensive and quick reply! I apprieciate your thoughts and they all make perfect sense to me. The "manage expectations' part is particularly salient. Many people seem to believe that if they have a hand held video camera, that's all that is needed. Turn it on, record the presenter, and post it.....a few hundred bucks and a couple hours, right?
One of my associates hit it on the head the other day when she told me..."It may not be worth doing the lecture capture at all. Use a narrated ppt or even a Replay style capture and make that available to everyone."
I like the Replay option although the editing tools don't include everything I want or need. Still, it may be the best option.
Thanks again. If I can ever be of assistance, let me know!
bj
Barry,
I used to get these requests all the time at Oracle - we used to call them "Blairwitch Requests".
Yes - it can be done - but...
1> People who cannot make a presentation such as this seldom need everything the second time around. Extract the salient points./
2> It will probably cost more to create your "Special Highlights" version than it would to book them for a WebEx and/or pre-recorded session.
3> A lot of the "WOW!" from sessions like this comes from being in the same room as "Famous Person X", and this is lost in a recording, unless it is a PROFESSIONALLY recorded session.
My advice?
For the money, and the fact that you will probably not get a high % of the viewers that missed it to watch, (it's gone, psychologically that makes them less likely to turn up to something "lesser"...), find another solution.
Just my 2p.
You could always try this (new window). On second thoughts the background buzzing noise and short battery life may scare fragie presenters even more!
Ahh ... found what I was really looking for before I was distracted by the meCam (see above).
This is the Swivl designed for use with iOS devices (i.e. iPhone) but read the article because it will work with other devices. It enhances audio and follows the movements of the speaker. I've seen it in action and was impressed. Combined with Dave's advice to use multiple cameras, this would make a useful addition and may capture those moments when the presenter disappears from the view of static cameras.
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