Streaming to YouTube, Twitch & on Facebook LIVE to the PCM projects FB Page. From the StreamYard studio I can see your comments across the digital landscape. Pick your platform.
I’m looking for guests for future web and podcasts. 7 EdFringe streams scheduled but will be following the fringe with Series 5 of my Lunchtime Livestream show starting Sept 1st.
Please comment, post your questions or just shout a hello.
Live look at the Edinburgh Fringe programme and planning in the face of no app to help you this year. As well as chat, musings, digital meandering and virtual dreams from me Caron Lyon. Literally looking at the Edinburgh Fringe programme. Its rabbit hole time. A will share my tip and trick to help you find a path to maximise your EdFringe experience.
With 2 shows at this years Edinburgh Festival Fringe we will look back at the Chronic Insanity journey and find out what nuggets of wisdom Joe Strickland can share. Twice in one day! Live look at the Edinburgh Fringe. Conversation with Artistic Director of Nottingham based Chronic Insanity Theatre. Chat, musings, digital meandering data and immersive futures. Caron's guest is Joe Strickland.
With the streams its my aim to help you find a path to maximise your EdFringe experience. Or understand a little more about the behemoth that is the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The biggest but not the only fringe festival. It is my ambition to take a show or be present as part of the official programme in 2023. How and whats involve to where I might be if I do take part is still quite overwhelming. These shows are a way for me to focus my fear and talk to those who are living the dream.
I've been to the fringe a couple of times. I loved each experience. I want to share how I managed and hear from performers and producers about what makes the Edinburgh Fringe so special.
Its an excuse to make media too. I do love a livestream. N.O.T.E No Opportunity To Edit!
This weekend is the union's annual conference. Not the usual ARC (Annual Reps Conference) the rules state that must take place in May, but an SRC (Special Reps Conference) following the rule that is in place should an ARC not be possible… errr Covid! Last year was the first SRC and that took place on Zoom last November. This year is a travel and turn up affair.
In previous years I have tried to infuse a digital component where I can. The Online Branch has had a presence at past conferences before representatives were invited. The Online Branch has officially been recognised as a Branch with reps invited since 2018.
Before that I attended conferences while elected to the Stage Management Committee and before that representing the Independent Theatre Arts Committee which emerged from the Small Scale Theatre Committee. My first conference was in 2007, I think! It’s been a while. I have seen substantial changes to the fabric of the union and how it’s developed and changed.
It’s been a glacial paced process!
What have I got planned for SRC, digitally for those not attending as a elected representative?
I will be hosting Zoom meet ups scheduled around my responsibilities to participate with the conference as an attendee, as your representative. There are 2 opportunities for this having looked at the time table and communicated with GuildHouse.
Saturday evening. (25th September) Film Night.
I’ll be arriving at the Conference centre which is conveniently the hotel mid-afternoon. While thinking about planning this activity I came across a ‘performance’ being streamed to Twitch.
The MOMENT is a brain controlled dystopian sci-fi film following three interlinking stories. Directed by artist and researcher Richard Ramchurn, it uses a Neurosky headset to detect EEG brain waves which will effect the edit, sound mix and narrative of a specially created movie.
There are over 18 billion narrative combinations of the film. Each screening is unique.
The MOMENT is screened in an intimate Mobile Cinema inside a converted caravan seating up to 6 audience members and one controller.
I'd very much like to share this experience with fellow members. It will be the third time I experience the piece. It’s a brain controlled film. Controlled by one brain and on this occasion the controller's being streamed. We will watch the film interpreted by their brain waves.
There will never be this version of this film seen again. (not generated live, the recording will be fixed)
Check out the first time I encountered the Brain Movie. It gives a little insight to how it works. It’s a perfect demonstration of a live streamed live-interaction of a produced on-demand creation that will be unique and seen this one time only.
Join Me - Opportunity 1 - Film night on Zoom (Open to all Equity members and Non members)
Its screening live on Twitch, Saturday evening from 8pm - 9pm UK time. I have a ticket. This will be screen-shared in Zoom. I will be in my hotel room having arrived for Equity's Sprecial Reps Conference on Sunday and Monday with any conference colleague who join me from the bar.
You can watch with us or watch the Twitch stream.
I encourage you to register a free pass or pay for a ticket >> EVENTBRITE LINK
This way you can engage with the Twitch chat as well as my Zoom chat which is only those joining me.
I will open the zoom call from 7.45 and keep it open until 9.15. The link to join will be posted in the Online Branch Loomio Group.
For Equity members and OLB members not in the Online Branch Loomio Group and non members for the Film night. Message me on Facebook, WhatsApp or DM me on Twitter if you'd like to join me, have any questions about audience satellite events or just join me for the SRC amplified ride.
Open Space at SRC - Opportunity 2 (Equity Members ONLY)
The second opportunity is as part of the Open Space and Fringe session taking place as part of the conference on Monday 27th. I have been given the green light to host or attend with technology (to include you) an OpenSpace/Fringe session.
Would you like to take a subject already tabled or would you like to call a session relevant to the branch? I have to propose the session topic to the OpenSpace host Paul Valentine on Sunday night (26th September) at 7pm.
I've not had time to do a lot of planning and I apologies if you can’t attend or participate at such short notice. I run these remote access opportunities in order to demonstrate to Equity how remote access and hybrid engagement with branch members could be approached.
Any questions email [email protected] or message through Facebook or ideally for Online Branch members through the OLB Loomio Group. That and Twitter is where my social media senses will be pointed during conference.
Thanks for reading to the end.
Hope to see you on Saturday or Monday.
Beyond that news of the branch committee and a report back from SRC to follow.
Soundcheck, well video projection check. I find I need a go-to YouTube video. In one video I can test screen-casting to a projector or LCD screen or HDMI link syncing, latency or delay. With a video that has good sound levels, I can set a level and know other levels will align.
This is an Artlli Enjoy 2 mini projector. It cost £100. Its included in the latest TechBox for a client. It's part of a hybrid media studio content creation solution that all packs up it into a box. In this case x3 clear stacking storage boxes. The primary purpose of this projector being included is to project the live digital audience into the venue in order for the audience or attendees on the ground to interact and see the cloud-based audience members. In my mind, everyone taking time to attend on the ground or from in the close is 'in-person'.
The video needs good visuals to push the motion response of the projectors internet connection. The audio need to be clean so I can evaluate the speaker responses in the space.
It has to be something I can listen to over and over a few times.
It’s an opportunity too. To share awesome. I’m often asked ‘Who’s this?’ I can tell them who, along with kindred insight not forgetting to get them to check out the YouTube channel and subscribe! This is the path and transactional high way of YouTube!
The previous goto was Monster by Doddie Clarke. Coz I love it and can listen to it on loop.
Seeing a familiar piece of media that has been played on a variety of devices it useful because you know know what it should optimally sound and look like in an array of conditions.
So currently I'm using Charlie Diamond, Dancing Queen. And as I'm not in a venue for you to ask I am sharing it here. I case you are interested!
Trying something new here too. Embedding from Facebook and not from YouTube. Just to be trans-medium check out the reason why from the video post text accompanying the embedded video. I write and post this as much for my own curiosity to see its impact on the reach stats.
It's not about numbers it's about the audience. When reach was organic being topical and transparent was a requisite. Now you need to dance with the algorithm of whichever platform you want to build upon.
Do you have a tech check tune? or a video to put your set up through its paces?
Check out Charlie Diamond Music on Facebook. After all, this post is written to smile at the FB Algorithm, general some stats in order to devour the intel!
Be warned the funked downbeat is infectious in Dancing Queen it will follow you around in your head.
Would you like to hear more about the TechBox projects?
Planet of the Grapes - A retelling of the film classic Planet of the Apes. Yes! Following on for my Twitter request for shows. (Blog Post PT1) Planet of the Grapes performer Peter Michael Marino https://twitter.com/blackoutpete signposted his show to me. It was akin to walking down the Edinburgh Royal Mile picking up leaflets for shows to select.
It's not about finding shows, the annual fringe program is jammed packed. What to chose? picking up a flyer is a way to narrow the field. Yesterday's tweet did just that.
Live digital theatre with an after-show chit chat. It was a delight to go backstage and meet Peter. Get a guided tour of the stage to see behind the scenes, as well glimpse into the performers green room! Such magnetic personalities ;)
Corking performances, Grape acting… and wonderful imagination. A treat for those who are well versed in the original film and a few treats for those who have read the book.
I loved the pre-show arrival with live mini ghost light with the Livestream scrolling ticker and audience noise. The mini interval was complete with a grape pianist. It was digital bijou. I loved it. It had for me the spirit of fringe in buckets. The close-up and personal of the tabletop stage leaning well into the digital medium where you’d not get that view in a physical venue. It made me want to see puppet theatre again.
Peter is a master at playing with that sense of scale. It was wonderful.
Thank you Peter for sharing with me your process. Your aspirations for the future of the show and the 'what went to plan' and the 'things that didn’t' making the liveness so magical. And is a perfect example of digital theatre.
A lot of the kit arrived today for the next PCM TechBox. Testing & unboxing heaven! Each commissioned TechBox is bespoke to the requirement of the client following discussions about the media the company or organisation need to make. This current box is a triple threat box! vlogging, video conferencing, media making. #ExtendTheAudience
This PCM TechBox is for the @UNESCO UK site Cromford Mills.
The TechBoxes I build contains everything a marketing team, event or theatre company need to boss their video media making and live streaming as lockdown lifts. It is an all in one solution in a literal box. It includes a consultation, content creation strategy, set up and basic video/film making training. This intermediate package costs £4,500
This kit is compiled to splits into 3 parts. It is multipurpose multi-media.
Mobile vlogging, social media and vox-pops.
YouTube and podcast studio set up.
Video conferencing and livestreaming.
Everything, including a laptop and the box it all goes in. Wondering how you blend or extend your audience after lockdown? Wondering how you livestream on a budget?
Whatever the output I provide a most current technology centred solution that can grow, scale and be augmented as your media making confidence is established. I'll help with workflow too so the content you capture makes it online.
So far
Stabilising hand-held gimbal with mobile phone and GoPro brackets
Mini shotgun mic (mobile and video camera jack cables)
Pocket video lightGoPro with waterproof housing
Cold shoe handheld rig for mobile and GoPro
4K video camera (for capture and streaming)
Tripod
X2 table top dimming fill lights
Power ext with x4 13amp and x6 USB sockets
X2 Wireless lavelier mics (mobile and video camera jack cables)
Conferencing speaker with 360 mic pick-upCables & Accessories case
Items remaining will be determined based on the inter gratin of the tech acquired so far.
Projector (to view remote audience in the physical venue)
Screen Laptop (with video and audio editing software installed)
Tablet / Monitor / SwitcherStorage / Flight case
Portable power pack
Power extension Mobile WiFi
For a theatre company, events agency looking to explore hybrid opportunities there is not a better place to begin than a conversation with PCM.
