Aloha ThinkTech Hosts,
There's no video for the April 2, 2021 Host Zoom Meeting, so here's the summary for those who did not attend.
Welcome
New hosts Jon Conching on Hospitality in Hawaii, and Dennis Esaki on Politics in Hawaii.
Show Information
Hayley talked about the Google form (which now includes a “location” field for you and your guests to let viewers know where you and your guests are calling from). Please return form the day before your show. If you don’t provide show information in time for the Daily Email Advisory publication time (10am), we won’t be able to include your specific show info in the program listings and we won’t know for sure whether you’ll be doing a show that day.
The Discussion Contemplated in the Google form should be in present tense (not future, not “will”), since it will be used in the YouTube description of a show that has already happened. Don’t make the description in first-person since it’s posted under ThinkTech Hawaii. Use “we” or your name rather than “I”. Also, if there’s a co-host or guest host for an episode who isn’t a regular host for ThinkTech, please provide all of their information (like a guest) in the additional information field. One other thing - hosts should separate search keywords with commas, not other characters like periods, semicolons, or slashes.
Confirm lower thirds. Staff will ask you to read the proposed lower thirds twice before the show to be sure we have the names right. It’s very time consuming to fix typos after the show has been recorded. Also, note that the first line of host-guest lower third is just the name of the individual, without honorifics. Please avoid Ph.D., M.D. and Esq. The second line describes the person and has honorifics if you want.
Graphics
We’ve increased the number of graphics you can give us (15 is the new limit) because they are usually higher resolution than the Zoom picture, so more of the show will be higher in resolution. Follow the graphics guidelines on our site.
Show Production
Frames
You’ll notice that our framing boxes are bigger now and look more like cable news.
Chat box
Remember to keep the chat box open throughout the show to see instructions and viewer questions. Try to weave in all questions and thank the viewers who have sent them in.
Teleprompter
You can make a home teleprompter by putting your copy on a smaller frame window of Word or TextEdit and running through it with your mouse, giving you the same functionality as a teleprompter. Put this window as close to your camera as possible so you are looking directly into the eyes of the viewer.
Sharescreen
We recommend you learn how to do share screen and once you become proficient, you can use it to show graphics during the show. But become proficient first. You can practice and test on the free version of Zoom without having a meeting. So do that and check our your picture and sound and all the buttons and things we have discussed here.
Video, Audio, and Equipment
Computers vs. other devices
Note you should use a computer for these shows to get reasonable audio and video. Tablets and smartphones don’t do nearly as well. Your guests or cohosts should have their own machines and be in separate rooms with separate cameras and mics. Two people on the same machine just doesn’t work.
Cameras
Logitech cameras are also likely to give you a better picture than the cameras in your computer. They are available at Best Buy and Amazon. It’s well worth it. Some cameras come with a microphone also.
Blur effect
A new discovery is the “Blur” effect available on Video Settings under Virtual Backgrounds. To use this, download the newest version of Zoom (zoom.com/downloads) then reboot your computer and it should appear. You can also ask our engineers for help on this. Assuming your computer and broadband are fast enough, Blur makes you look great, all without a greenscreen.
Greenscreens
We are always in favor of greenscreen. The Neweer and Emart greenscreens are available on Amazon. Remember you need to light the greenscreen and your face separately, so you’ll need another light for the greenscreen. The lights and stands are not expensive.
Framing
Don’t forget to frame yourself so that you’re 75-80% up in the frame. Please maintain that position and don’t slouch down during the show. Put your computer on some books so the camera is at the same height as your eyes. We don’t want to look at your neck, chin or the ceiling. We want to look directly into your face and eyes, and we want you to look directly into the camera, so that you are looking directly into the eyes of the viewers. That makes for a much better show.
Sound
Please do chit-chat with your guests before the show begins so the staff can hear the sound and correct problems before the show begins. It’s harder once the show starts.
Content
Topics
Pick topics that are current and make current references, and especially news (called a “news hook”), when you describe the scope of the show. Your first question should set the scope and context. Later questions can be shorter and more conversational. Try to pick topics that people will find interesting, topics that they want to know or need to know and may not have heard before.
Proposed openings/closings
We’ve prepared optional language for your openings and closings. Staff will post that on your chat window so you can read it from there. Please read it conversationally so your viewers don’t feel you are reading at them. Practice helps.
Spring 2021 Fund Drive
Our online donor fund drive runs from May 1st through the May. We hope to raise $20,000 from hosts, guests and viewers to help pay our staff and operational costs. Please make a donation. We’ll be asking hosts to record Fund Drive promos after their shows, and we’ll play these promos in the entr’acte and overnight. Thanks for helping!
If you have questions on the subjects we discussed, please contact us. Thanks for coming.
