Category: Technology Author : Steven Hodson Posted: March 15, 2009
Tags : conferences, sxsw, ustream, video
While I wasn’t able to attend the SXSW conference on my own I know a couple of friends that were going to be there and so I figured that courtesy of the uStream embed that Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins (The Inquisitr man in the field) had on his page I would spend some time watching the goings on. Now it is pretty cool that we have things like uStream where we can watch live feeds of different meet-ups but in some ways I think we still have a very long way to go.
It is easy say that it is the spontaneity that makes these types of video streams fun and cutting edge but in some ways I think it contributes more to the amateurism of the medium as it stands today. One glaring problem I noticed was the sound quality which fluctuated between being totally absent to overly loud I spent much of my time with my fingers on the volume button for my speakers.
The one other thing that irritated me is not knowing the name of whoever was talking. It is especially bad if you happened to jump into the middle of a conversation. Would it really be so hard to add a little bit of professionalism by showing a quick overlay of the name of the person speaking. It’s not something that would have to be done all the time but come on anything is better than trying to follow a conversation and not having a clue who the person talking is.
uStream is really cool and having it as an option to be able to follow events like what is happening at SXSW is great but a little bit of professionalism in presentation sure couldn’t hurt.
Mar 15, 2009
I got the same comments from my friends, but I must admit Sean Michael Wright is trying desperately. He's working with volunteers, some of whom have never worked on this equipment before, in a bar that sometimes has other live music events right outside the door of the studio, and people walking in and out. I don't think it has much to do with uStream and the technology; more to do with the studio atmosphere. I loved being in the discussions, though. No worse than some of the TWiT live performances now that they, too, are trying new technolgoy.
Mar 15, 2009
Indeed…. Who are these people? Little name tags or the overlay or -something- so we know whom is talking. Would be a nice thing to know.
Mar 15, 2009
It's been a lot of fun doing them – the sound levels are hard to regulate – we aren't in an insulated studio, more of a converted private bar area.
As to the tone of the stream – your mileage may vary. Some of the panels have a lot of well known folks on it and experienced broadcasters. Others are dominated by interesting people that aren't necessarily behind a mic a lot of the time.
I wish the experience of the live stream from our side of the camera was translating better to the other side. There's been a ton of people watching (far more than I'd imagine possible), but the energy and enjoyment has been off the charts for me as someone almost living in that room the last couple days.
Mar 20, 2009
I really ought to do a post thanking all the people who's names I remember that made the trip possible. There was a lot of work involved in making all that streaming possible. I understand it wasn't the most professional presentation possible, but that was because much of the help involved with making the stream wasn't professional at all. Michael Sean Wright, for instance, comes from the world of professional film making, but has only limited experience working with online filmmaking. Steven Self from N-Ventive TV has a lot more experience in that department, but was only one person.
At any given point, there was required to be at lesat five people behind the camera to make the whole thing possible. Most of the folks behind the camera had exactly 0 experience prior to Friday working cameras and tricasters, so it was truly a wonder the whole thing happened with as few glitches as it did.
I agree that things could have been done a lot better, but given what I know about the experience levels of all involved, I think we did a pretty decent job.
Keep in mind that there were something like 40-60 hours of live video with few breaks being produced here. That is generally unheard of, and to the best of my knowledge hasn't been done before.
Next time around, assuming we're given the opportunity, there will very likely be some changes.
Mar 20, 2009
Steven,
Thank you for watching. The audio was up and down- never a good thing. We did nail in time for Furious World – phwehh. The point of this 'experience' was to bring together a daily gathering of BIG ideas and music and wait for the 'spark.' I witnessed that often throughout the week.
I couldn't be more grateful for those who took the time to give of themselves. The large unedited files will be made available soon so that you may create your own 'experience' of these events.
I'm also pleased that the number of viewers far exceeded my expectations.
@ Rizzn please see http://furiousworld.com – that is live filmmaking.
I will be doing a live blog with Rizzn latter tonight around 10 pm pdt. I would invite you to join us- post as you wish.
Socble told me to create a TED everyday in my life- I attempted to do that at sxsw. Marc Canter told me that the future is live and open- I am trying to live that with setting all the files free.
Steven, you told me that you are a 'cranky' man, I do not see that yet, I see a person who cares enough to write what moves him- and to expect more. Once again, you are leading the story of the unfolding developments regarding my 'experiment' of live filmmaking. Sometimes the frame is right where you had pre-visioned, sometimes the moment demands you flow with a re-write.
msw