Your Community Station Studio Start-up

Hi Guys

Thank you for reading this blog. I do hope you find it informative and useful and that you take action. I've had some very positive feedback from the last post about setting up your own online TV show and today I want to elaborate on some issues that I've had questions about.

Gina from Ontario asked how do you start? And Bill living (I presume) in Wood Green in North London said he runs a community project and thinks this would fit well with what

they are doing. He also wanted to know how to get going. What equipment and how does he design a studio in his Community Centre?  I'll try and answer Bill's question now.

So lets talk about your studio.

You can have a studio almost anywhere provided you have a

 small space bigger than about 4 metres by 5 metres. You will need a power supply for low energy lighting and other equipment. Standard power sockets will be adequate and the quantity of power used will be no more than the power you use to light your home. So there's no big drain on energy.

Natural lighting is the best for filming provided it is sufficiently strong but I feel that for a studio it will be inadequate. If there is natural light use it and supplement it with artificial lighting. You can pick up a lighting kit for a very low cost. Lights

available on E-bay are adequate and low cost. I'd suggest a couple of these packs. Cost is less than £90/$130 per pack. These lighting boxes are called soft boxes because there is a translucent cover over he front to diffuse the light and cut out shadows. But you can remove the covers and have direct light. They hold low energy daylight bulbs that are cool when working, unlike traditional lights which become tremendously hot. With two kits you are ok for smaller sets such as interviews and also for larger sets such as panels, chat shows where there may be 3 people on a sofa and a presenter. You can of course use more traditional lighting or LED lights that are now available as direct mains powered or battery operated.

How about cameras? There is a whole range of cameras from the simple (well rather sophisticated really) smartphone, through camcorders, professional cameras, DLSRs and Go Pro Heros. The choice is yours. Personally I'd grab a couple of camcorders because they are relatively cheap new or dirt cheap second hand. This means you can work on a shoestring and grow in time. There's another bonus here. If you are going for funding then you can produce material to backup what you are looking for by showing you have started to experiment. You'll also need tripods. Hand help cameras are generally really bad. You just can't prevent hand shake and movement. To start use KISS - keep it simple, stupid!!

Sound is more important than most of us realise. So I'd recommend using separate mics, not the ones mounted on cameras. You can use the input socket and either wireless or long leads and this is ok. We use a boom mic held over the actors, interviewers or guests. And this works well. You can make a boom easily and cheaply. We'll cover that in another post. So my favourite external recorders are the Zoom range. These provide a variety of sound options and are compact and lightweight.

You will need a backdrop. Now this could be as simple as a painted wall, but you could use paper or material backdrops. You can by backdrop kits of a stand and material backdrops in black, white and green. You will move on to the green backdrop for green screen as you become more experienced. If you have a large room you could just pull away from the walls and have the background out of focus.

So you have choice. In addition you can dress the set at little cost. Remember a photo of a prop can look like the real thing on video. A planter on set is easy and you might get a local shop to donate or free loan you. Ask kindly and you will be surprised what you can get.I have tended to keep it simple. A tall planter is all I usually have on set. 

You probably will need a desk for news readers. This doesn't have to be elaborate and in fact a shallow desk is good because it takes up little space for storage between use. 

Props can be the real thing or made out of papier mache which can be used to form almost anything. I used to make puppet heads with it but also remember a huge dinosaur (probably 4 metres high) we used in a carnival made from chicken wire covered in papier mache. Once painted it is pretty well water proof and, if enough layers, is strong too.

Backdrops can also be sheets of mdf, plywood or almost anything that's firm. So you can have a window with the sun shining through, a balcony, painted backdrop like you see in Kids TV shows. The limit is your imagination.

Now with a small studio you will probably need to shoot some material around the show you are producing. So, for example when we had a music item, this was filmed prior to the show and edited in. Firstly the guitarist had another engagement so we had to film him early, but secondly he would have been hanging around unnecessarily for a couple of hours. 

So that's your studio. Ideally, if you are working  in a Community Centre you will probably have more room. A studio should be an integral part of any Community Centre at it teaches a new skill, gives users confidence and social skills, and its a a fun project. In addition it is a great way to promote everything local, particularly community activities

If you don't have suitable premises I would highly recommend approaching everybody who might be able to help using both social media and direct approaches. You may be surprised at the support you will get without having to pay.

Good luck with your venture. Watch for further posts on setting up and running a Community TV Station. And there will be a full course ready soon with everything you need to know about setting up and running one.

Selfie with a message

Just found these videos that were really selfies. I think this is what a selfie should be. It should be interesting and tell a story or give a message. 

What do you think?  Please leave a comment 

Producing your own online Chat Show

Hi Guys

Here is a sample of what we did to promote our channel. The intro was produced by Ben Hearden when he was at university here in Swansea. He is now involved in some great projects including work with Disney.

Producing a Chat Show for online TV is not difficult provided you follow some simple rules. And these are:

• Watch Chat Shows and see what format you prefer
• Write an outline show
• Surround yourself with professionals
• Find a suitable location
• Start building up an audience
• Choose your presenters who need to be experienced (or train them)
• Have a run through without the real guests
• Sort out any problems
• Run and shoot the Show
• Shoot any B-Roll or stills you need
• Edit
• Broadcast on your choice of platform 
• Promote the Show

Sounds simple? Well provided you follow the steps then it is easy. So I hope this post will inspire you to have a go. Now this is part of my Awesome Video course so I've taken an overview here.

Number 1 Watch Chatshows 
Then you can choose the format you want to take. In my opinion the best have a good host or two, entertaining guests, some of which will do something different like musical, dancing, artistic or poetry. I like something that can run through the show plus the music which can be placed anywhere. Having some content taken outside your studio is also good because it's different and breaks up the content.

Watch different shows will also teach you about staging, how to seat everyone, how to move from one section ton the next and much more. You will also pick up on dressing the set. But don't feel bound by anything you see, you may have some fantastic creative ideas that will really work. Slip these ideas in but don't let them take over the show in case they flop, then you can leave them out of future productions.

Number 2 Write an outline. 
This will include selecting guests. And this can be a problem because no matter how good your host is you can't predict how good the guests will be. 

This should be a timed outline so you know what you can include. I'd recommend a 30 minute show to start because it's manageable and suits what is shown on national tv. I have found that 5 minute slots are best, just to get the outline working. We had an artist who drew a pictures during the show. We found that his 5 minutes was broken down into short clips plus and interview so viewers could see his progress during the show. We also included some work he's done away from the studio as he talked about his work. You will see it's a swan which was relevant as we were in Swansea, South Wales

You need to allow for your intro clip plus your host introduction and end piece too. If you are producing an online tv show about local people and events then you might have some adverts half way through to cover your costs. So take this into account with your timings. Incidentally you could have adverts at the beginning and end too.

If you are directing as well as producing then you need to take a grip when the show is being shot and ensure no piece  runs over. If one does run on then it will cut into something else. Luckily, because you will be editing then broadcasting later you will be able to trim anything you want. Just ensure there are no obvious cuts. 

Number 3 Surround yourself with professionals.
I had not done anything like this before and an not a professional camera man, lighting or sound expert. I had a partner who had a university background in film-making and had produced documentaries and other video. He was able to handle all the practical film making processes. 

We had also been working with students from the local university who where, in the main, film makers. So, although

they didn't have to do any planning or setting up, they were able to use the cameras. But even then we had to check they were following instructions. Students always seem to think they know better and that a few zooms and pans will work wonders. In fact this usually creates problems. , like a drummer.

We asked a friend to hold the boom mike and at one time they were drumming their fingers on the boom pole. You can imagine the sound but luckily it was spotted early and didn't cause too much of a problem. Whatever equipment you are using you need to have some experience, or at least some instruction.  

Number 4 Find a suitable location
You can't skimp on space. We were most fortunate to have the use of an open place shared office that was empty on Sundays. 

We were able to move the furniture away and arrange a smart set, with 2 sofas that were in the room, and a plant that I borrowed from the main reception area. We set this up facing the window and away from the walls to avoid shadows and allow a roving camera to move around. We shot the music before the show started and placed the artist in a separate area adjacent to our set. And we used a separate host to interview him so we could move across live. 
 
Thinking about locations you need to consider background noise, size available, furniture and other dressings, and convenience. We had cameras, lighting, backdrop and frame for the musician and other equipment that needed to be taken up to the second floor. Luckily there was a lift. We were truly fortunate to have such a large area when we could entertain the guests, where the presenters could

rehearse (as you can see in the photo) and room for three sets.   

Now getting a location can be difficult. Ask around. You probably have no spare cash so that's a problem. But sometimes a friend will say Where I work would be good. Go and see the owner or manager and explain the situation. Many people are really generous and will help. You can also offer to give a credit or plug about the business in the show. As far as advertising etc goes you can do what you like, there are no restrictions. I'll talk about advertising and monetizing video shows another time)

Number 5  Start publicising the Show
This is important but involved and will be covered another time. You are probably talking about letting the world know but also local people and businesses.

Basically you need to advertise and make people aware through social media and a website, Youtube and a blog. You need to let local people know by word of mouth, maybe a

press release to the local paper, fliers and posters. Here, in the photo you can see me standing at the side of the road dressed as a penguin with a large bill-board advertising an event. This was great for attracting attention and I stood on very busy roads every morning and evening for 8 working days

You need to start promoting as soon you have a clear plan and up to at least a month before you make the show. By the way, once made you need to get it edited fast.


Number 6  Choose your presenters
I used an online agency who train and showcase presenters. The biggest problem they all have when they are starting up and before they become established is experience. 

We had three presenters, all trained and professional who did the show for just expenses provided they had a credit and were able to use material for their showcase reel. We had proper auditions and spend half a day with they to get a real feel about their style and presentation skills. On the day they were brilliant.

If you have local budding presenters then get them to do the outside interviews and have them sit in on the show to observe and learn. As with anything, you need to see professionals at work then practice, practice, practice. 

Numbers 7 and 8 Run through and resolve problems
Now you really need to have a practice run. We didn't. We just ran with it and kept fingers crossed.

But there were things we would have done differently if we had done a run through. You are always going to see things that look wrong or ways you can improve and once the show is in flow it's not the right time to stop and go back. We shot in one sequence with only on double take. And that was an intro by a presenter.

Number 9 Run and shoot the Show
Get your timings sheet, prompt cards for presenters, rig set up, guests welcomed and made at home, crew prepared and ready. 

Then get presenters in place and guest cued ready. We had them all sitting at the beginning of the show, merely out of convenience. 

Then we started. The presenters had spent the morning learning about the guests and they also had prompt cards. We used some hot lights and despite being in a light airy room it did get hot for presenters and guests. I think with they new energy saving lights this is not a problem. 

I stood in front, out of camera and directed the presenters with gestures and a couple of written cues, especially when it was time to wind up on a piece. Sometimes they were so engrossed in what they were doing that it became difficult. In future I would use a mic and earpiece.

The show went very well. No stops or retakes. Guests were talkative and interesting. Although I wouldn't have two politicians on the same show, unless it was election time.   

Number 10  Shoot any B-Roll or Stills you need
Once the show is in the can as raw material you need to go through and see if there is any B-Roll or any stills you need. 

B-Roll is basically second camera material: footage that is spoken about or could complement the show. For example we had the local MP talking about the railway station so we shot footage at the station. The Artists talked about a project with local art students and we took some material.

You can use stills and zoom in or pan across in editing. 

If you are doing a lot of local work then build up a library of B-Roll with as much local footage as possible. We talk about this on the video course. and make more recommendations in this area.
    
Number 11  Edit the Show
I'm not going much into editing here. 

I believe that the most important points to bear in mind are simple quality and speed.

It is really urgent to get the finished show up and ready as fast as possible. It can take an hour a minute or even more to edit so that's a lot of time, especially if your editor is part-time or helping you out. But it's important to keep on top. 

On another film I'm making I had 3 people promise to edit for me. The last one was a BBC editor who saw the raw footage, said "no problem" and disappeared with a hard drive. Luckily it was a spare copy otherwise I'd have lost everything. 

Number 12 Launch your Show 
For the moment I'm mentioning just YouTube and Vimeo. The former is so popular and with the right thumbnail, and attention to detail on the page this can bring in great viewers. It's also a plaform that we are all aware of.

Vimeo has some great advantages. You do pay if you are going to use much but the costs are very low. There is no advertising and viewers won't be directed to other videos. The presentation is good and you do have tge opportunity bt charge for viewings.

There are other platforms of course but we will not cover those here.

Number 13 Promoting the Show 
Promote. Promote. Promote.

You could hold a launch and invite the right people along. The right people being those who can help you promote or might want to sponsor or advertise with you. 

Use whatever promotion ideas you can use.  

CONCLUSION
In this short post I hope that you can see the possibilities of producing your own show. 

Take action and set out your ideas on a single sheet of paper. Follow this post and be lucky. The harder you work, the luckier you will be. 

Want to know more then click here  and get updates, information and more. Our comprehensive course on all aspects of producing awesome video is due to be launched shortly turning you into a great video maker whether for business or pleasure turning anyone into a great producer.

 

Awesome video course coming soon

Hi Guys

I've now got the new course How to make Awesome Videos laid out and several videos in place. This is really exciting and I am anxious to launch it shortly. There is much to do yet, however, no matter how fast I work.

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You will be notified once this version is completed which will be about 50% of the finished course. As each new session is completed you will be notified.Once you register you will have everything new that I produce with your life-time access at no additional cost. In addition you can have a say about future lessons and tell me about any improvements you'd like to see. 

This is great value for someone who just wants to build a good YouTube Channel but valuable if you want to take video making to a higher level. Not only is it absorbing but can be profitable too, in so many different ways. 

Build up a popular YouTube Channel and get advertising revenue, affiliation revenue, sponsors revenue and other benefits. Make short films and you can sell them or rent through one popular outlet. If you have a business website you can make video to promote, explain, teach, grow subscribers or make special offers. Video is now immediate and you can decide on an action, shoot a short video and have it on your website, Facebook or Twitter within an hour. A restaurant can have a special event and promote it on social media for free straightaway. A retailer can see if a product will sell by making a video and gauging customer response. Raw video put straight onto Facebook or Twitter is called Native. It is now simple to upload from your smartphone or camcorder.

YouTube is now having 300 hours of video downloaded every minute. 6 billion hours of video are watched every day. I could go on there are so many amazing statistics. And with so many videos, the most difficult thing to do is to make videos that stand out from the crowd.

Here is the opportunity to register your interest. There is no commitment, just the chance to enroll at a huge discount and be able to input anything that might benefit you and other students. Click here and go to the registration page.