Live streaming refers to online streaming media simultaneously recorded and broadcast in real time. It is often referred to simply as streaming, but this abbreviated term is ambiguous because “streaming” may refer to any media delivered and played back simultaneously without requiring a completely downloaded file. Non-live media such as video-on-demand, vlogs, and YouTube videos are technically streamed, but not live streamed. Streaming is typically one-to-many meaning that an image is recorded from one source (or a couple of sources) and broadcast to the many (an audience could be in the hundreds of thousands). The source will need a professional audio/video set-up to film the performance on. The audience will only need a laptop/ tablet/ phone to access the live stream as their own image/sound will not be transmitted back (this is unlike a video conference where the image of both parties is transmitted back and forth).
Theatres
Anything from the local school production to a fully produced west end performance needs an audience. But with Covid-19 social distancing measures in place, its now hard to get a full audience in to see each show. This is not an issue that will be disappearing any time soon and so a flexible, and affordable solution is needed. Streaming allows the audience to buy a ticket, be sent a link and login to watch the live show in real time – as if they were there. During the show, multiple cameras and microphones will catch varying angles and nuances to provide a lifelike performance. You can choose for the audience to be able to cheer, comment or answer multiple choice questions (good for a panto!). You can also choose to record the performance and send it out to ticked customers at the end or offer it to customers for an added fee (like a DVD but online only). You can use this solution to hold online performance only or you can have a hybrid in person/ online audience and the in-person audience reactions can also be filmed. This solution allows for the potential to not only “fill the seats” but exceed the seats!
We work with a variety of budgets and can design a solution that fits difficult/ unique spaces. Get in touch with us to find out which combination of hardware (cameras, microphones, speakers etc) and software (8×8, lifesize, Zoom etc) will suit your theatre best.
Concerts
Everyone loves a concert. The buzz of the crowd, the thumping of the bass, the rockstar vibes of your favourite artist popping out of stage to fireworks and flashing lights. It’s a truly exciting experience that concert-goers are willing to travels hundreds of miles and pay hundreds of pounds for. But, Covid-19 has meant that people can’t gather in crowds of more than 30, let alone 30,000! So what is the future of concerts? Hopefully, long-term we can return to the buzz of the real-life stage but for now we have to provide an alternative option for performing artists and their avid fans. Streaming seems to fit the bill. You can have cameras from multiple angles and have the audience pick the camera angle they like best (a potential use for this is with multi-member bands, having a camera focused on each member), you can have the audience partcipate by “cheering”, commenting or answer multiple choice questions and you can have display screens up at the venue for the artists to see the responses. You can also record the live performance and share it after the event. A huge benefit is that you can not only have the capacity of the supposed venue, but many, many more attend the concert – allowing fans from around the world to experience the concert. There is also an option for translation (live or from a script), which provides greater access for fans.
The example above is for a huge international artist at a venue like Wembly Arena, but the solution also applies well to everything for buskers, to local bands doing pub gigs to global superstars selling out arenas. We work with a variety of budgets and can design a solution that fits difficult/ unique spaces. Get in touch with us to find out which combination of hardware (cameras, microphones, speakers etc) and software (8×8, lifesize, Zoom etc) will suit your concert best.
Sporting Events
Imagine this: It’s Friday night, everyone is wearing matching shirts, cheering the fan-chant, eating soggy chips and drinking beer. It’s a little chilly and it’s tipping it down but your club scarf will keep you warm! It’s been a while since this scenario has actually happened, but for a lot of season ticket holders and sporting fans, this was a regular and much loved occurance. So how do we replicate this experience virtually? Live streaming is a good option as it allows the event to be ticketed, live, and accessible. It incorporates that community spirit with “cheering”and chat functions and keeps the fans warm and dry with the ability to watch from anywhere with a beer in hand (soggy chips optional). Fans can choose the best angles from a range of cameras and can watch highlights after the game.
We can find a solution for any live sporting event from the local under 10’s footie team to a county gymnastics tournament to the much anticipated England v Wales rugby match. Get in touch with us to find out which combination of hardware (cameras, microphones, speakers etc) and software (8×8, lifesize, Zoom etc) will suit your sporting event best.
Anything Else?
Is there another type of event that you would like live streamed? We can work with you to create the perfect video and audio solution for your event, at almost any budget. We have UK stock of hire equipment and a team of professionally trained installers. Get in touch for a free, no obligation live demo or quote.
