You're heading up a shoot for an important client and want to be sure they are satisfied with your work. But due to Covid production restrictions, they can't be on set. Not to worry! Thanks to remote technology, you can set up a virtual video village and communicate directly with your client as you go, so they can offer feedback in real time.
In this article, we will give you step-by-step instructions on how to construct a video feed which will allow external parties to view your production and comment on what they see. This practice will save you both time and money by allowing you to implement suggestions immediately, as opposed to engaging in expensive reshoots after your production is wrapped. In order to carry out this operation, you will need an up-to-date laptop, as well as a video input device. We recommend you use a BlackMagic Mini Recorder (which retails for approximately $115) or an HDMI to USB3 Video Capture Dongle (which retails for approximately $20). In addition, you may also require an SDI/HDMI cross-converter to make these input devices function with your camera.
Step 1: The Setup
First and foremost, you will need to ensure that your location has an outlet for an ethernet connection or adequate wifi speed. In order to be able to communicate clearly with your client, it would be best if your wifi speed is at least 4MB/second or higher, otherwise the connection will not be strong enough to support the signal. Also, you will want to check all of your equipment and software (including your laptop, camera and video input device) to certify that they are up-to-date and can run Zoom. Furthermore, you should collaborate with your Camera Assistant to find the best position and angle for the remote video feed so that it will not disrupt workflow on the set. We recommend that you perform this step at least a day before you begin filming to allow yourself enough time to make alterations.
Step 2: Checking the Audio
Once you have set up your equipment, you will need to ensure that your camera is receiving an audio feed in order for your client to be able to communicate with you. If you have multiple audio sources, you may wish to add a scratch track from your sound recordist into your camera. For this purpose, we recommend that you use a ComTek (also known as a “hop”) or a spare wireless audio transmitter to feed audio into the camera as a scratch track. If you have a camera that can’t record a scratch track (such as the Alexa Mini), you may need a digital audio interface to bring audio into your stream (we recommend the Shure which retails for approximately $85).
Step 3: Setting up Zoom
In order to set up Zoom, you will want to open the program and select your video input from the drop-down menu listed under Settings > Video. If you have chosen to use a BlackMagic Mini Recorder, a series of options will open and you should select the frame rate that matches the rate at which you filmed. Similarly, when setting up the audio for your video feed, you will select your audio input from the dropdown menu listed under Settings > Audio. Once you have completed this process, you will want to confirm with your client that they can see and hear the video stream.
Step 4: Monitor the Video Feed
For your final step, you will arrange for your Production Assistant to monitor the video stream on Zoom. This task will entail allowing guests to join the session, troubleshooting any problems that may arise (such as resetting the link if the feed goes down), as well as capturing real-time client feedback so you can implement these suggestions on your set. We also recommend recording this Zoom session so you will not need to pause the production if your client wishes to review any of the material that was shot.
These days, we are fortunate enough to obtain instantaneous feedback through the use of a virtual video village. This simple addition to a production set can save you a great deal of energy (and sweat!) by allowing you to communicate remotely with third parties while you are filming. Ultimately, this will help you to satisfy the expectations and desires of your client and benefit your reputation as you climb the ranks in the field of film production. Good luck!
Thanks to Creator Kit Pennebaker for contributing to this article.
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Note From Tongal: This blog is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here!
