234 Chapter 17 CORPORATE EVENTS A Guide to Videotaping Meetings (Continued) If the facility provides a riser platform for the camera and camera operator, please request one; it helps avoid heads in the way. Similarly, use a raised stage so audience members and the camera can see the presenters. We usually plug into electricity. We will run an extension cord to the nearest outlet and will tape it down to the floor to avoid people tripping on it. Please make sure the facility will provide electricity. Multiple Cameras While we record most meetings with a single camera, we can set up two or three cameras. One way to accomplish this is with live-switching between the cameras so the final video is ready at the end of the meeting. This requires additional time to set up, running extra cables between the cameras, and additional equipment and personnel. Another multicam technique uses simultaneous camcorders with the tapes edited at a later time in our studio. We will be happy to explain the pros and cons of each technique and can provide you a quote for either of these options. Lighting Our digital cameras work well in low light, and in most cases we don't need auxiliary lighting. However, if the facility has spotlights, please order them and make sure they are properly aimed. Good lighting can make for a more pleasant video image. If there are windows in the room that cannot be covered, please try to avoid placing the presenters in with a window behind them. If that can't be avoided, let us know, and we will bring a bright spotlight. PowerPoint Slides and Other Projected Images We can take your PowerPoint data disk and combine it with the video of the meeting. Alternately, we can shoot your meeting with two cameras: one aimed at the screen and the other at the presenter. We can also shoot a PowerPoint presentation with a single camera. We pan the camera between the presenter and the images on the screen. Since lights are usually turned down, we can bring a spotlight and aim it at the presenter. This works best if the presenter stands a distance from the screen. Call us ahead of time, and we can help with designing the room setup to accommodate this. Logistics Please ask the facility contact person how the videographer can best move equipment in and out. Will the security department need to be contacted? Will there be any locked doors? Is there a loading zone? Are there any restrictions bringing equipment in the lobby or in passenger elevators? If you can arrange for the videographer to have a standard parking space, that will help avoid delays. Also, if he needs to get something from the car, it will be quick. If there are special driving directions, please provide them to us. We are happy to speak directly with the facility contact person or his or her audiovisual technicians.