Speaker Chat
Talk about Audience comments issue, laser pointer, do they have physical or mechanical demonstration in their presentation?
🕒 EST. PAGE TASK(S) DURATION 2-5 MINUTES
SPEAKER ASSUMPTIONS AT THIS POINT
If any of the assumptions below are incomplete, please resolve first as priority over the rest of this page
Speaker laptop is on the Internet that it's going to be on for the event - whether that's wireless or wired
They may have built-in ethernet on their laptop OR have an external USB Ethernet adapter as provided by PESI
They may have to connect to venue WiFi based on venue having only a single working ethernet port or no working hardwire at all!
They've successfully logged into the correct Zoom program as panelist
You've already spoken to the speaker about what Operating System their laptop is (Windows or Mac) and whether they have video clips or not and have appropriately configured audio mixer(s) based on answer. See link
If there are multiple speakers in the event room (rare for PESI) it is anticipated that a single speaker's laptop will be used by all for the presentation.
SPEAKER ZOOM PANELIST LOGIN TROUBLES
If the speaker is claiming they did not receive the Zoom panelist email, simply:
Click on Edit in the Invite Panelists section
Click on Resend button next to that panelist to trigger a new panelist invitation email to their email address
If the speaker still has not received the email (check junk/spam), you can:
Click on Edit in the Invite Panelists section
Click on the Copy button next to that panelist and copy the invitation to your clipboard
Open your gmail, paste this information and send to speaker.
IN-ROOM AUDIENCE QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
IIn a nutshell: Inform speaker that in-room comments/questions by attendees are virtual silence to remote audience and a huge complaint. Hands down, the speaker making sure all in-room attendee comments are uttered into a wireless microphone is the best process. Agree on an arm wave visual indicator that audio is not picked up such as thumbs down.
THE ISSUEWith any size event room, any comments or stories that are uttered not in front of a microphone should be considered dead silence to the Zoom audience
Not being able to hear audience questions or commentary is one of the biggest complaints from remote viewers
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS TIPS & TRICKS
There is a wireless handheld microphone at all PESI webcasts. When someone has a comment or question, seasoned speakers will often say something like, "Please hold that thought - I want to get the microphone over to you first so folks on the webcast can hear. " This is absolutely the hands down best and recommended solution.
If this isn't possible (attendee refuses or it was a short statement), please repeat / paraphrase the comment.
One trick/analogy is to pretend an attendee in the room is hard of hearing (and they may be, but are just embarrassed to mention it), so attendees using a microphone would not only be for the benefit of remote viewers benefit, but for everyone in the room.
Agree on a specific arm wave as visual indicator that "everything being said is not picked up" such as thumbs down
IMAGES (TO THE RIGHT)Top Image shows speaker handing the wireless handheld and the attendee holding it perfectly (rare)Bottom Image shows speaker holding the wireless handheld on behalf of the attendee and holding it perfectly.
LASER POINTERS
In a nutshell: Ask the speaker if they intend to use a laser pointer on the screen at any point during their presentation. Recommend speaker doesn't use laser point but walks over to the screen and physically points with their hand. Fairly uncommon but always bring up.
THE ISSUE
Use of Laser Pointers are a big complaint source for webcast attendees. The reason for this is two-fold:
The pointing typically takes place before the videographer can even pan to the screen.
The camera isn't set for the brightness of the screen but is set for you, the speaker. By the time the panning, zooming and setting the camera to compensate for the brightness of the screen is completed - the laser pointing is either (1) Well in progress or (2) Already done.
LASER POINTER TIPS & TRICKS
It is recommended for speakers to bypass using a laser pointer during a webcast/recording. Suggest the speaker walk over to the screen and use their finger to point at areas of the screen. This allows for time for the videographer to frame/change the camera settings to capture the areas of interest you are trying to point out.
IMAGES (TO THE RIGHT)
Top Image is speaker using a laser pointer. Most laser pointing is quick and already done before the videographer can react.
Bottom Image is speaker using laser pointer with videographer panned to the screen. The green arrow is pointing at the laser point. Watch the video example where even when focused on the screen, a laser pointer isn't as obvious to your eye when seeing in video vs being actually in the room. The speaker starts finger pointing at areas of interest and this works MUCH better.
PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL DEMONSTRATIONS
In a nutshell: Ask the speaker if they have any physical or mechanical demonstrations in their presentation. Work with speaker on where best location is in the event room and set the tone of "let's talk through it verbally" if there are blocked shots/issues.
THE ISSUE
Physical or mechanical demonstrations that are visible to in-room registrants that are standing and/or gathered around the demonstration may be completely blocked for the webcast audience and recording.
Work with the speaker to determine what is the best location/angle for these demonstrations to take place
Is the demonstration taking place standing/seated/laying on floor?
Consider that attendees may be standing/huddled around and blocking the view
Consider that attendees that aren't in the room currently may block a demonstration once the room fills up - particularly if it's a seated demonstration
PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL DEMONSTRATION TIPS & TRICKS
In some if not most instances the best spot in the house for the camera with demonstrations is in the back of the room where venue tables & seated bodies aren't blocking the shot.
Agree to verbally communicate during demonstrations such as from the speaker "Are you able to get capture this? It this a good angle?" or from you "My angle is blocked" or "We can't see that in the camera". Bring this up so it's not awkward when you blurt this out in the program
IMAGES (TO THE RIGHT)
Top Image shows attendees gathering around at the front of the room to view a physical demonstration
Middle Image shows both front row attendees and tables blocking the camera view of the demonstration.
Bottom Image shows speaker moving the activity to the back/left of the room where the videographer is able to get an unobstructed shot of the demonstration.
