Tick Tock – Time for Tech Talk
All right Ladies and Gents, it’s time for a quick run down on how to tech your event! Every one of these events will be special since you will all have many creative ways of making each event your own, but there are two things that all of you will have in common:
- Check to see the DVD plays in your player (DVD player / laptop)
- Check your audio – always listen till you hear someone speak
Nothing’s better then a smooth transition, so it is highly recommended to do a tech a day prior & re-check day of the event. If you can’t, then arrive as early as allowed to do the run down.
I’ll elaborate a bit on 2 different types of screenings:
1: Sheet out of luck – Hosting a very grassroots event outside
- A rope –tie it up high and even.
- A very neatly ironed opaque white sheet, the less wrinkles the better.
- A weight to hold the sheet from flying away – tie to binder clips at the bottom.
- A projector – make sure the aspect ratio is set to 4:3.
- Place Projector semi high to avoid people’s heads on the screen.
- DVD player or Laptop is connected to the projector.
- Check the Audio – wires properly connected, levels.
- Music – it’s always nice to set a little ambiance (who doesn’t love Americana tunes?).
2: Big sha-bang – A more traditional screening space
- Lights – If there is a panel discussion – set up the panel, use someone as a sit in and adjust the lights accordingly.
- If you’re using a light board – make sure you turn off all regular light switches. so all light is controlled by the board (it’s a minor, but often forgotten detail).
- Mark your light cues for the event.
- Mics – check to see they are plugged into the soundboard, adjust the levels of board for the ambiance music, movie, and mics. Know your audio cues.
- Projector – make sure the aspect ratio is set to 4:3.
- DVD player or Laptop is connected to the projector and audio system.
- Screenshot / Slide Show– you could create a slide show to play prior to the film and a screen shot to play throughout the panel discussion.
- Skype – if a panelist can’t come but can Skype = Perfect. Make sure you have a wireless connection or Ethernet cable. Run a test Skype call, checking the caller can be heard and seen as well as can hear you. If you are running off of a DVD player, then most likely you will be using a switcher so know when to switch over as well as change the projector from video to comp (if applicable).