Interrotron was a development in prompting that allowed documentary subjects to look directly into the camera while talking to someone.
Basically it's a teleprompter setup, but instead of the graphics output, it carries a video output so the subject looking at the camera, can look at someone in front of the camera and talk to them directly.
So I'm thinking about acting and I'm thinking about this inexpensive laptop based solution.
(I spoke with the manufacturer - the product image shows a laptop with a 180 degree hinge, but it'll work with a MacBook, which does not open to 180-degrees.)
(Learn your lines: It's not about being off book by using a prompter -- it's about giving yourself something to work off of, an image, directly in front of the camera. You could actually look into another (projected) person's eyes and talk to them.
Technology is making it more and more possible for people to record their own video demos and email them to a casting director.
Since the beginning of acting actors have had to deal with their environment, from talking to their audience, to having a 4th wall, to cameras, to sets falling down, to trucks backfiring, clanking dinner plates, to cellphones (unless you're Hugh Jackman).
In any case, here's a what if:
Actors can put up an image of someone on their computer like an interrotron (see above) - using this inexpensive setup. They can either project an image of someone like they'd be talking to, or actually edit an acting friend's performance into the scene as they do theirs, looking directly into the actor's image.
So if your demo uses a side, and let's say you're reading against a hard-boiled cop, you could put up any number of acting images in your Interrotron setup. Or better, either you or a friend could act the other role, and play it on the laptop while the beam-spitting glass puts the actor's image up, while recording your role through the camera. You have someone to act against.
Will this give you a competitive edge?
I think it works well as a concept, but I don't know anyone who's actually doing it. If you're getting a lot of auditions like this, it might make sense to do this setup.
It's likely better, and cheaper, to use and hone your chops by doing a substitution or just working on place or music, but if that isn't coming strongly to you, or you're new/uncomfortable with it, and you gotta get something goin' on, this may be an option.
But in any case, on a set, no director is going to set up an interrotron just for the actor to get comfortable with a camera in their face.
Maybe a waste of money and effort? Maybe not?
Ultimately it's probably better for the actor to get cool with their skills under any/all conditions and deal with it - almost every set I've ever been on has a lot of things which are working against the actor, and it's the good ones that integrate the total reality (without trying to control everything to death) into their performance.
That said this may be a bad idea, perhaps even a disservice, but it may also be useful.
I can see how a producer would jump on this kind of setup in order to get a better performance out of a wooden actor who is paying them $500 - $2000 for a great reel-- but whether it will work is anyone's guess at this point, I guess.
What do you think? Have you or anyone you know tried this?
I can easily actors with iPods/iPads doing this with their equipment using the new iPad/iPod/iTouch Prompters because Macs make it so easy to cope with video.
KEEP ON SCROLLIN'! Book World Prompter for your broadcast, live event, commercial, and industrial prompting. New York City's Ian McGrady provides intelligent, contextually-aware prompting to corporate clients, as well as training and speech writing.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
On Personal Resume Videos - a few notes for beginning video resume producers
Graphical elements aside, there are a few basic components I would consider for any job-seeker's setup - your mileage may vary depending on your experience and aptitude.
1) An excellent microphone. Blue Yeti Pro is probably the best all-purpose mic and can be boom/shock/desk mounted. If you don't need the dual xlr /usb inputs, the Blue Mic is also good. Excellent audio quality promotes intimacy, and the Blue Yeti comes with a variety of patterns to cope with your particular recording situation. No matter what the mic, be sure to listen objectively to the sound coming out of the computer's built-in mic, then try watching the video with your computer's external speaker monitors, then on your smartphone: does the audio hold up across these platforms? Troubleshoot and boost/tone down what's needed. Generally consider:
a. room tone
b. background noises like electricity, refrigerators
c. outside noises
d. device noises
e. chair/desk/floor noises
You may be able to "roll off" audio problems by using hi-pass/low-pass filters and other effects in your audio program.
2) Consideration of lighting. While it's not necessary to go out and get a panel, consider throwing as much light as you can on the subject without blowing him/her out or creating harsh shadows
3) Background. Some cheap to free video programs now even do digitized overlay backgrounds. If you don't have a decent-looking backdrop, corporate other otherwise, use a virtual one, but just make sure there's enough light around your head and edges so that the keyed image doesn't bleed into the subject. (A stronger light line can separate the two)
4) From the same angle, consider doing one close take, one medium take, and one wide take, and cut between the three to emphasize important aspects to your employer
5) Using a prompter. There is a good, inexpensive glass solution for your laptop and handheld camera:
Laptop-and-Glass Solution from TelePrompterMirrors.com - click here
Take a look at the hinge and make sure it can accommodate the 180-degree bend required. A Mac might put an odd angle and not be able to fit under the camera. I've contacted the manufacturer to see whether a Mac Book would work or not. Will update this post when they get back to me.
That said if you're using the built in camera, try finding free or browser based prompting software like this one...
http://www.easyprompter.com/
6) If you're using the built in camera -- one in the frame of your lap top's CD -- then try to move as far back as possible or connect to the camera as if it were not just some person like your mom, so you feel comfortable, but imagine the representative of the company you want to apply to. If you're not getting a strong enough idea or image, print a big corporate logo and tape it to the wall right above the camera and sit there and think about what the company stands for before you speak.
Eye travel reads no matter how discretely you're trying to avoid appearing like you're reading on a teleprompter. So just try to stay natural. That said, it's almost impossible.
6a) Keep a little nervous energy - it doesn't show up as badly as you think, and a little inner tension, if you roll with it, makes for good viewing. Try to move it around as you talk about yourself, the company, and roll with your plan for speaking. It's engaging to hear someone going through an issue, rather than listening to the uniform drone of someone who "has it all figured out".
Don't have a drink or smoke anything before going "on air", unless that's what you're doing as your "normal" thing and do your "normal" thing, no more or less. (WP has no opinion on this issue other than addressing performance issues around it.) The person watching it likely hasn't had a drink or smoke and isn't on the exact same vibration as you. Just try practicing until you're less nervous is all.
7) Walk around a little in between takes. If you're doing prompting for the first time, people gather tension as they read, blow it, and try again. Try to stay loose. Listen to some music that puts you on the right "vibe" for the presentation, then turn it off and start talking. It can give a person a nice, open quality if they're unused to public speaking.
8) Consider your video a project that can alienate people as easily as a typo on a resume. No one cares if you did it yourself, just like your resume. Unless you're a sharp editor, and can manage good audio and good video, hire a good crew for 1/2 day. Tell them to shoot plenty of B-roll of things that support showing you in your best light - your awesome library, your tools in your garage, really well-rendered graphics of your work, working in the field, or doing things that support the idea of yourself that you're putting across. No matter how good you are at your job, if you have odd shadows, strange echoes and audio, and an inappropriate setting, you could be sending the wrong message.
9) If you have a nice photo of yourself and are mainly focusing on visual presentation, consider just doing a PowerPoint and using a nice photograph of yourself with a sweet, intimate audio of you speaking, possibly with an audio track as well. You can time these out perfectly in PowerPoint, Keynote, or Garage Band.
9) Distribution: Use Vimeo right now for distribution. It reaches more devices.
10) Solicit feedback from friends... or not. They might have specific feedback if they know a/v and presentation issues, or they might not know what they don't like about it, but might have generally negative or positive comments. Try a/b'ing a few elements against each other and see which one gets a "Bingo!" and which one gets a "eh" from people. Whatever they say back to you, your answer is "Thank you". If you're not in a personal space to be open to feedback or critique, don't do it, and just try to research other people's videos to see what you like and don't like about theirs and see what you can do with yours along those lines.
1) An excellent microphone. Blue Yeti Pro is probably the best all-purpose mic and can be boom/shock/desk mounted. If you don't need the dual xlr /usb inputs, the Blue Mic is also good. Excellent audio quality promotes intimacy, and the Blue Yeti comes with a variety of patterns to cope with your particular recording situation. No matter what the mic, be sure to listen objectively to the sound coming out of the computer's built-in mic, then try watching the video with your computer's external speaker monitors, then on your smartphone: does the audio hold up across these platforms? Troubleshoot and boost/tone down what's needed. Generally consider:
a. room tone
b. background noises like electricity, refrigerators
c. outside noises
d. device noises
e. chair/desk/floor noises
You may be able to "roll off" audio problems by using hi-pass/low-pass filters and other effects in your audio program.
2) Consideration of lighting. While it's not necessary to go out and get a panel, consider throwing as much light as you can on the subject without blowing him/her out or creating harsh shadows
3) Background. Some cheap to free video programs now even do digitized overlay backgrounds. If you don't have a decent-looking backdrop, corporate other otherwise, use a virtual one, but just make sure there's enough light around your head and edges so that the keyed image doesn't bleed into the subject. (A stronger light line can separate the two)
4) From the same angle, consider doing one close take, one medium take, and one wide take, and cut between the three to emphasize important aspects to your employer
5) Using a prompter. There is a good, inexpensive glass solution for your laptop and handheld camera:
Laptop-and-Glass Solution from TelePrompterMirrors.com - click here
Take a look at the hinge and make sure it can accommodate the 180-degree bend required. A Mac might put an odd angle and not be able to fit under the camera. I've contacted the manufacturer to see whether a Mac Book would work or not. Will update this post when they get back to me.
That said if you're using the built in camera, try finding free or browser based prompting software like this one...
http://www.easyprompter.com/
6) If you're using the built in camera -- one in the frame of your lap top's CD -- then try to move as far back as possible or connect to the camera as if it were not just some person like your mom, so you feel comfortable, but imagine the representative of the company you want to apply to. If you're not getting a strong enough idea or image, print a big corporate logo and tape it to the wall right above the camera and sit there and think about what the company stands for before you speak.
Eye travel reads no matter how discretely you're trying to avoid appearing like you're reading on a teleprompter. So just try to stay natural. That said, it's almost impossible.
6a) Keep a little nervous energy - it doesn't show up as badly as you think, and a little inner tension, if you roll with it, makes for good viewing. Try to move it around as you talk about yourself, the company, and roll with your plan for speaking. It's engaging to hear someone going through an issue, rather than listening to the uniform drone of someone who "has it all figured out".
Don't have a drink or smoke anything before going "on air", unless that's what you're doing as your "normal" thing and do your "normal" thing, no more or less. (WP has no opinion on this issue other than addressing performance issues around it.) The person watching it likely hasn't had a drink or smoke and isn't on the exact same vibration as you. Just try practicing until you're less nervous is all.
7) Walk around a little in between takes. If you're doing prompting for the first time, people gather tension as they read, blow it, and try again. Try to stay loose. Listen to some music that puts you on the right "vibe" for the presentation, then turn it off and start talking. It can give a person a nice, open quality if they're unused to public speaking.
8) Consider your video a project that can alienate people as easily as a typo on a resume. No one cares if you did it yourself, just like your resume. Unless you're a sharp editor, and can manage good audio and good video, hire a good crew for 1/2 day. Tell them to shoot plenty of B-roll of things that support showing you in your best light - your awesome library, your tools in your garage, really well-rendered graphics of your work, working in the field, or doing things that support the idea of yourself that you're putting across. No matter how good you are at your job, if you have odd shadows, strange echoes and audio, and an inappropriate setting, you could be sending the wrong message.
9) If you have a nice photo of yourself and are mainly focusing on visual presentation, consider just doing a PowerPoint and using a nice photograph of yourself with a sweet, intimate audio of you speaking, possibly with an audio track as well. You can time these out perfectly in PowerPoint, Keynote, or Garage Band.
9) Distribution: Use Vimeo right now for distribution. It reaches more devices.
10) Solicit feedback from friends... or not. They might have specific feedback if they know a/v and presentation issues, or they might not know what they don't like about it, but might have generally negative or positive comments. Try a/b'ing a few elements against each other and see which one gets a "Bingo!" and which one gets a "eh" from people. Whatever they say back to you, your answer is "Thank you". If you're not in a personal space to be open to feedback or critique, don't do it, and just try to research other people's videos to see what you like and don't like about theirs and see what you can do with yours along those lines.
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