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What do I need in terms of people and equipment to film and broadcast content live online?

12 years, 10 months ago - Ian Endfield

Hi All!

I am looking to start filming and broadcasting content live over the internet, so I am wondering where to start in terms for looking for equipment and people...

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Also, if you are interested in joining me with this venture I am also looking for collaborators, so please send me a private message if you are and we can take it from there!

All the best,

Ian Endfield

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12 years, 10 months ago - Elisar Cabrera

It really depends what you are filming.
My own show is one camera and a YouTube account (but there is also Ustream and Livestream).
Many multi camera shows are done with Tricaster.

Response from 12 years, 10 months ago - Elisar Cabrera SHOW

12 years, 10 months ago - Sukey Richardson

Hi Ian,

Like Elisar said, it really does depend on what you are shooting and what you have budget wise. Do you need art department? Are you using a camera that can be operated with by one person alone? Shooting people is a good place to start looking for crew and if you want advice on equipment I can suggest various places to go or people who may lend/hire out real cheap (if we're talking Canons) It would be a good idea to get a treatment out, I'd be happy to take a look at that or a synopsis and give some suggestions.

Sukey

Response from 12 years, 10 months ago - Sukey Richardson SHOW

12 years, 10 months ago - Yen Rickeard

I have made several films of different sorts, but the last one I made solely to find out how cheaply I could do it and who and what is essential to a shoot.
The short (cheap) answer
1.A script, whether documentary or drama, you need to know what to cover.
2. A camera and operator. Hire them both unless you have a good mate who knows what s/he is doing.
3. A sound recordist. No matter how tiny your budget, poor sound will kill the film. A professional camerman may be able to cover this as well, but a recordist is best, hire.
4. Somewhere where you are allowed to shoot.
5. Usually, some people to act/ ask questions and have them answered by others.
6. If there is any complexity at all to your shoot, someone to keep an eye on the script and make sure you have covered everything, including the fill in shots (hands/feet/cat in the window)when you find it doesn't quite cut right.
7. An editing program, or an editor who has one. Hiring a good editor will improve your film immensely.
8.Royalty free, or paid for, music to add life (friends who can record their own playing of their own or royalty exempt music is the cheap option)
9 a lot of patience.

Depending what you are doing, you may need sets, and lighting too. Daylight only is cheapest, if only the sun would shine to order.

Good luck with it all - it is all exhilarating.
Yen Rickeard

Response from 12 years, 10 months ago - Yen Rickeard SHOW

12 years, 10 months ago - Claire Staniford

and as with all Video on Demand where the editorial control is within the UK, whether paid for or not you need to register with ATVOD (Authority for Television on Demand) and pay their annual fee.
ATVOD is a government QUANGO which basically is a jobs creation scheme which makes a nuisance of themselves to anyone trying to earn a living or just having a bit of fun in the moving image industry in the UK.

Take care of other admin tasks before you start as well such as making sure there is no use of brand names unless you have permission to do so, don't forget your shoot insurance and take care of feeding your crew.

PLANNING PLANNING PLANNING

Have fun.
Claire (Studio hire business decimated by ATVOD)

Response from 12 years, 10 months ago - Claire Staniford SHOW

12 years, 10 months ago - Peter Ward

Since anything for a webcam, youtube account and a netbook to a Hollywood sound stage and private CDN could be used one really needs to be a lot more specific. It's not even clear if this transmitted live or being recorded/edited first. Otherwise, do it properly and hire crew with experience who can figure out what you need for you.

Response from 12 years, 10 months ago - Peter Ward SHOW

12 years, 10 months ago - Ian Endfield

Ok Thanks so much for the response so far.

For those of you who wanted more clarity, it is kind of just a general idea at the moment and I am thinking of starting with broadcasting gigs (not huge concerts) live over the internet and offer it as free content, but also recording the live feeds as well so that they can be stored and rewatched. So the whole setup would require around 4-5 cameras in different positions, with a com system for each operator and I would only need to record direct through the PA system and pickup ambient sound.

I was wondering what cameras would be considered best for this type of thing (say like a Z-series camcorder or 5D?) but also what I would need to feed live from the cameras and be able to switch cameras to determine what viewers are seeing? Or at least if anyone knows the type of person I should be talking to about this!!

All the best,

Ian

Response from 12 years, 10 months ago - Ian Endfield SHOW

12 years, 8 months ago - Sam Seal

It would be much easier to lose the live element, and why would you want it anyway?

Shooting a gig on several cameras and then cutting it later is much easier. Trying to broadcast it live will bring you a world of pain and expense.

Response from 12 years, 8 months ago - Sam Seal SHOW