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Remote filming setup options

It has been a revelation to experience how well remote filming works, becoming now my default mode of filming. The transmission and connection are just as powerful as if we were in person. Herewith the setup options for the recording process. 

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Option A, High Quality Local Recording

 

Using a laptop for the live Zoom connection, and your smartphone/tablet (or even a high def camera if you have one)​

  • Local Video Recording:  Smartphones or iPads / tablets are usually good enough quality, as long as the room isn't too dark.

    • If filming from a smartphone, best make sure it's in Airplane mode, to avoid network interference with the microphone.

    • Filming settings (these are often already the default on the smartphones):16:9 ratio; 1080p resolution; 25 to 30 fps (frames per second)

    • Please see if you can check there's enough memory card space to record for ideally 1hr

    • And full battery charge

  • Tripod / Devices Positioning: A means of positioning your camera next to the device running the Zoom sessionn (e.g. laptop).

    • Line of eyesight: Positioning such that, as you are looking at my image on Zoom, you are looking just very slightly to the side of the lens of the camera.

      • Vertical position: Please position the lens at the same height of your eyes, so that you are not looking down into the lens.

    • The photo here above shows my setup when wanting to use the higher definition back lens (if you have someone to help you position the frame of the phone when you sit down).

    • Smartphone: It is also just as good to use the selfie front camera on your smartphone, so you can see yourself to adjust your position in the frame.

      • Please be sure to have the smartphone in landscape orientation.

    • You can also prop the smartphone on the screen/keyboard if using a laptop, being sure that they are at the same vertical height as your eyes.

  • Microphone: An external mic (e.g. lapel clip-on mic) can really help with the sound quality...even the mobile phone headset mic attached on a shirt button could help the quality.

  • Background: Sitting ideally in front of a neutral background (clear wall or even ideally a black backdrop)

  • Lighting: Having a natural source of light from one side, to create a side lighting effect on the face.

  • Noises: Checking that there are no background humming noises / interferences.

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Remote filming instructions - horizontal
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Please check that your smartphone is ready for a 1h-1h30 recording
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Option B: Recording in Squadcast From Webcam​

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  • For a simpler set up, it is possible to record from the webcam of your computer or laptop, using a recent innovation in remote video recording by Sqaudcast.

    • Squadcast works similar to Zoom, but records to your local storage and therefore is not affected by the changing bandwidth of your internet connection.

    • This method will also work with  your smartphone.  

  • Positioning of the camera however is important, to have a close framed shot and the then raise your computer to have the lens of webcam at your eye-level....

  • Following the above guidelines for the lighting, background and noise levels will all improve the final result.

  • I will simply send you a Squadcast link for the alloted timeslot

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