In order to assist you with your pre-recording for the ANPC 2021, we have a few tips and guidelines:
How to start and end your presentation
We will edit your video slightly to remove the parts where you have started your recording but are still setting up to begin your presentation as well as the part when you are stopping your recording.
- Please try to ensure to pause before starting your talk so that we can separate these first setup parts from the main presentation.
- When you begin speaking, it is recommended that you start as you would at an in-person conference, i.e. greeting the audience, thanking the chair for the introduction, etc.
- At the end of your presentation, please conclude with a statement that makes it obvious that you are finished, i.e. "Thank you for your attention". Again, please pause after this point before stopping your recording so that we are able to edit the file more easily.
Here are some other things to consider:
Lighting
- Lighting is very important - natural lighting is most flattering and works the best for things like this.
- Please ensure that you are not sitting with a window behind you.
- The trick is to make sure that the room is well lit overall and that you end up with a soft spotlight on your face.
- Even good overhead lights and a desk lamp can work.
The Camera
- Make sure that your camera is at eye level. If you need to, place your computer on a pile of books or lower your chair to achieve this.
- Adjust your screen to ensure that your feed is in the middle of the screen, meaning that your video shows your head, shoulders and upper torso.
- When speaking, try to look directly into your camera and not at the screen. This helps to give the impression of "direct eye contact" with your virtual audience.
Sound Quality
- Please be sure to turn off all pop-up notifications and disable your screensaver. It's also a good idea to turn your devices to "Do not disturb" mode.
- Background noise can be extremely distracting for the audience (and probably for you as well). Where possible, choose a location where you are isolated from background noise (children, pets, the washing machine, your neighbour mowing the lawn, etc.).
- Using a headset or earbuds with a built-in microphone will create a more intimate and conversational sound profile for the audience. Note that if you are using wired earphones with a microphone lower down, please ensure that the microphone does not rub against anything as you are speaking or moving.
Making Your Movement Matter
- Be aware that flappy gestures, fiddling with or clicking a pen, playing with your hair, etc. will divert your audience's attention away from the content of your talk.
- Make use of gestures deliberately either to help explain an idea or concept more clearly or to emphasise a key point.
