Stream Basics | Stage and Design
There are a wide variety of choices that create the canvas for an event, so picking the proper setting or location for your event is pivotal. In this article, we will describe some of the most popular settings along with other elements that make up staging. We will also dive into some fundamental concepts to enhance your look and feel of your live stream.
Locations
In a Sound Stage or Studio-This location is often the most ideal setting for a live stream due to the amount of control over the environment. Sound stages have great power options for lighting and equipment plus sound proofing to prevent unwanted noise. Not to mention, they also provide ample space to maximize any setup or design.
On A Stage-A traditional stage environment typically allows for an in person audience, which are excellent for a hybrid event. There is also a good chance a sound system is already built in to that space, which is always ideal. However, keep in mind that these spaces tend to have echo due to its acoustic properties and background noise if there is a live audience. It is also important to note that not all stages have space designed for the extra technicians that are usually needed for live streaming.
Conference Room- A conference is lovely for those “office type” announcements and streams. While better than a small office, a conference room usually has extra furniture that may need to be removed for shooting. Be sure to scope out the space prior to your event day so you can plan accordingly. The space is decent for a small crew depending on the size of the conference room, but it is still a bit of a compromise compared to the previously mentioned locations.
Thoughts For All Locations- This setup time is typically 4-10 hours depending on how complicated the setup is.
Try to keep your live stream space as isolated as possible, even during set up. Having a “closed set” keeps everyone safe (as there are often many tripping hazards when rolling out cables) and allows your technicians to perform their tasks with excellence in a quiet atmosphere where they can tune their equipment accurately.
Carpets, ceiling tiles, and wall panels absorb sound which is better for live streaming. Hard surfaces like tile or wooden floors, hard concrete walls, and metal will reflect the audio and create room reverb.
After your livestream is finished give your crew ample time to break down the gear and cables. Tear down typically take half the amount of time that it took for setup but this of course depends on each crew and project.
Stage Design
Now that a location has been selected for your live stream, the next two sections will address some of the theoretical elements that can subconsciously influence design. We will also talk about some practical tools that will help to turn ideas into a full fleshed out design. Keep in mind, words like “image”, “background”, “screen“ or “set” may be used interchangeably within this section, thought they all refer to the same idea of using stage design as a presence. Similarly, “subject”, “presenters”, or “communicators” are all used to convey the people on camera during a live stream.
The Visual Tools Box
Contrast- the bright portion of your image compared to the darkest part. Contrast is perceived as visually interesting to your audience and helps separate the presenters from the background.
Brightest Part of Screen- Your eyes are naturally drawn to the brightest portion of the image, so make sure your presenter is illuminated well and keep in mind where other light sources may be. Lightbulbs, windows, or any other bright object on the screen will detract from your subject when we want to sole attention to be on the presenter.
Textures vs solids- textures or patterns can add visual interest to your image. Choosing textures over solid colors for your background can be an aesthetic choice. Typically, solid colors give a uniform look and appears clean while textures add a bit of complexity and more visual interest.
Color Wheel- The color wheel is a relationship between colors that complement each other. This is especially helpful when designing a set. You will want to choose colors that offer a pleasing aesthetic when paired together.
The Physical Building Process
Chairs- The type of chair used offers different types of personality, so choose a chair that fits the theme of the stream and subject. Please note that a large chair can appear overbearing and diminish importance of your subject, so, when in doubt, choose a smaller, less ornate chair that is still comfortable.
Stools- stools are a good chair if your speaker will alternate between sitting and standing. Though you can get stools around the same height as a chair, taller stools are preferred because they allow your speakers to sit and stand more easily.
Sitting vs Standing- Having your presenter sit in a chair while presenting creates a calmer more relaxed tone. Standing is typically used when creating a more formal or energetic presentation and is especially useful when the presenter is very passionate about what they are presenting.
Podiums-Podiums ground the stage and give it a point of reference. They are also useful to hide personal belongings like speaker notes or water bottles and can showcase your brand or logo. However, podiums have a stigma of being more formal and can also limit the freedom of your presenter. If your speaker likes to meander the stage, a podium may simply be in the way.
Risers or Platforms- These are a temporary stage that are typically put together for a presentation but are then disassembled after an event to leave a space more open. They are typically constructed of solid panels that are designed to elevate the presenters off ground level and make them easier seen by your in person audience.
LED Panel- LED panels offer a wide range of skills to your show. They can show images, be used to light a stage, or be used as visual elements for your presentations. However, they can overshadow your subject by being too bright; they can also flicker, so be intentional about your LED panel use.
Projectors- Projectors produce an extra large image. They are helpful for an in person audience but typically do not have a good presence on camera. Projectors also do not perform well in brightly lit areas so test out the light elements with the projector so adjustments can be made.
TVs- Televisions are helpful to display videos or images for a PowerPoint presentation. Modern televisions tend to be much brighter than older televisions and their resolutions are also higher, so make sure to test the presentation on the TVs provided and make adjustments accordingly.
Products- Having your company’s product in the background is a great way to advertise. Custom shelves, tables, or platforms can be made in order to showcase products.
Of course, this list is just a general overview of typical items used to stage and create a live stream. There are many more elements that can be utilized. Do you have a creative stage set up or “must have” tool to help design your streams? Leave a comment below!