Need advice for Videoing a conference at DVinfo.net

Sean Gallagher · January 9th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Hi everyone. I've recently taken up videography and editing as a hobby and have just offered to video our companies sales conference. We are expecting around 350 people, so I'm desperate for info on what I need to buy/organise to get this right. I have a Canon XM2 (GL2), Hama Gamma 80 tripod (with built in lanc), loads of BP945 batteries, sennhiesser MKE 300D microphone & wide angle lens.

The conference is a 3 day event that includes fun activities. I can film all the fun stuff, no probs. This is where I need the help:

On the final night, we will be having our various on stage speeches plus awards to those who have excelled etc. What my company have asked is if I can video the procedings "live" onto a large screen on stage. (the guest speakers will be standing in front of the screen!!!!). They then want to fade between the "live" footage and a still photo, like a company logo or something. They will provide a projector and I know that my camera can plug into this using a standard a/v cable. But how do I set this up? The projector cannot be infront of the stage, as the picture would project onto both the people on stage, as well as the screen? This means that the projector would need to be positioned somewhere else with some kind of wireless transmission of video from the camcorder to the projector. Do I have to use some kind of wireles transmitter to send a signal from my camera to the video projector? If so, what type of transmitter and receiver do I need. My company are okay for me to purchase against expenses but I obviously don't want to rip it.

I understand my description above may sound vague but this is my 1st time and am a little nervous. Has anyone had any similar experience filming conferences? Is there anything else I should consider? We used to have 2 proffesional cameramen with masive broadcast DVCAM systems do this in the past but this year they omitted this for some reason. If anyone can help, or share experiences, I'd be very, very grateful. Thanks in advance.

Jeff Patnaude · January 9th, 2005, 07:29 PM

Jeese, where do I start?
I work for a company that has meetings ranging from several hundred, up to 60,000 in attendance. Full-on , rock-n-roll type presentations.

Why not email me and we can talk.

patnaude at comcast dot net

Phil Holder · January 10th, 2005, 07:52 AM

Sean
You probably need to hire a small digital video mixer. Plug the output of the mixer into the projector, use your camera for the live footage and perhaps a vhs machine with the logo recorded to tape for however long the awards will run. Then you just mix between the 2 as required. I'm not sure about the positioning of the speakers in front of the screen, I would assume that this would look a bit strange with a similar effect of shooting into a mirror or monitor showing the same bit of vision. (That is if I have understood what you are trying to acheive) Would it not be better to have the speakers podium off to the left or right of the screen to avoid this.
Hope this helps Phil

Sean Gallagher · January 10th, 2005, 08:45 AM

Hi & thanks for the replies, appreciated. Apparently, the hotel in question has some gear that they use for such conferences. They will be calling me towards the end of the week to see what equipment I have, and what I hope to achieve with my videoing. So it seems that my posted query may be a bit premature......I'm hoping they will be able to sort me out but if not, at least I'll have a better understanding of what equipment I need and what I want to achieve visually.

So thanks again for your interest and replies to my query...I'll post a new thread, if required, once I have ironed out the details. Thanks again.

January 9th, 2005, 03:48 PM	#1
Sean Gallagher New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 9	Need advice for Videoing a conference Hi everyone. I've recently taken up videography and editing as a hobby and have just offered to video our companies sales conference. We are expecting around 350 people, so I'm desperate for info on what I need to buy/organise to get this right. I have a Canon XM2 (GL2), Hama Gamma 80 tripod (with built in lanc), loads of BP945 batteries, sennhiesser MKE 300D microphone & wide angle lens. The conference is a 3 day event that includes fun activities. I can film all the fun stuff, no probs. This is where I need the help: On the final night, we will be having our various on stage speeches plus awards to those who have excelled etc. What my company have asked is if I can video the procedings "live" onto a large screen on stage. (the guest speakers will be standing in front of the screen!!!!). They then want to fade between the "live" footage and a still photo, like a company logo or something. They will provide a projector and I know that my camera can plug into this using a standard a/v cable. But how do I set this up? The projector cannot be infront of the stage, as the picture would project onto both the people on stage, as well as the screen? This means that the projector would need to be positioned somewhere else with some kind of wireless transmission of video from the camcorder to the projector. Do I have to use some kind of wireles transmitter to send a signal from my camera to the video projector? If so, what type of transmitter and receiver do I need. My company are okay for me to purchase against expenses but I obviously don't want to rip it. I understand my description above may sound vague but this is my 1st time and am a little nervous. Has anyone had any similar experience filming conferences? Is there anything else I should consider? We used to have 2 proffesional cameramen with masive broadcast DVCAM systems do this in the past but this year they omitted this for some reason. If anyone can help, or share experiences, I'd be very, very grateful. Thanks in advance.

January 9th, 2005, 07:29 PM	#2
Jeff Patnaude Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Duluth, Georgia Posts: 248	Jeese, where do I start? I work for a company that has meetings ranging from several hundred, up to 60,000 in attendance. Full-on , rock-n-roll type presentations. Why not email me and we can talk. patnaude at comcast dot net

January 10th, 2005, 07:52 AM	#3
Phil Holder Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 70	Sean You probably need to hire a small digital video mixer. Plug the output of the mixer into the projector, use your camera for the live footage and perhaps a vhs machine with the logo recorded to tape for however long the awards will run. Then you just mix between the 2 as required. I'm not sure about the positioning of the speakers in front of the screen, I would assume that this would look a bit strange with a similar effect of shooting into a mirror or monitor showing the same bit of vision. (That is if I have understood what you are trying to acheive) Would it not be better to have the speakers podium off to the left or right of the screen to avoid this. Hope this helps Phil

January 10th, 2005, 08:45 AM	#4
Sean Gallagher New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 9	Hi & thanks for the replies, appreciated. Apparently, the hotel in question has some gear that they use for such conferences. They will be calling me towards the end of the week to see what equipment I have, and what I hope to achieve with my videoing. So it seems that my posted query may be a bit premature......I'm hoping they will be able to sort me out but if not, at least I'll have a better understanding of what equipment I need and what I want to achieve visually. So thanks again for your interest and replies to my query...I'll post a new thread, if required, once I have ironed out the details. Thanks again.