Streaming studios is a new option for anyone who wants to digitally deliver a theatre productions. In a recent article, Playbill wrote about several Digital Streaming Platforms that have emerged to fill the gaps created by COVID-19. In addition to MTI, which I mentioned in an earlier post, and On The Stage, the Playbill article highlighted another alternative. Up to this point, we’ve discussed solutions for theatrical groups with existing access to a physical performance space. If you fall into that category, digital platforms make it easy for take your production and put your show online.
On the other hand, if you do not have a dedicated space you can now rent one. This also applies to you if you are an individual performing artist, not only theatrical groups. In response to the current climate, there are several theater companies converting parts of their theater to streaming studios. Renting these streaming studios, you can capture a play, reading, or even a short film. While fairly new, they already span from California to New York:
One director, Ralph B. Peña, explains how he came up with this idea provide a way for artists to create. More importantly, a way to keep performing artists employed. And, last but certainly not least, to keep performing artists in NYC, an important creativity hub. You can watch Ralph give an overview of Ma-Yi Studio in the video, below.
This week, NY Venture capital company work-bench published its State of NYC enterprise tech funding. Surprisingly, this quarter surpassed the first quarter of 2020. Moreover, it set a record for best quarter since work-bench began tracking in 2014. This goes to show VCs are confident tech will bounce back from the financial setbacks due to coronavirus.
Earlier this year, towards the start of the COVID-19 Quarantine, I wrote about the #SafeAtHome to Slow the Spread’s impact on SaaS. As TechCrunch points out, some startups have taken this time to sharpen their teams, product, and pitches. Clearly, business to business (B2B) software is trending. Perhaps VCs consider it more trustworthy. This can be attributed to VCs funding enterprise tech over consumer based services until there are:
rebounds in consumer confidence
increases in consumer buying power
better therapeutics and a vaccine
In that sense, VCs are acting just like everyone else waiting the pandemic out. Whether you currently are at a B2B SaaS company, or reading this inspires you to start one, here is a link to an interesting event next week:
We’re hosting a free digital summit with 20+ hours of content, 2 tracks, 30 speakers designed to provide high-impact and measurable value to companies selling to the enterprise.
Please click on the image above to get your Digital pass, and the SaaStr Team will confirm registration.
Face shields are no substitute for face coverings with tight seals over the mouth and nose. However, as we began discussing last week, for the sake of a safe theatrical performance as we begin reopening Phase Four, they should play a role. While an ideal production during these times would have modified blocking to socially distance all actors on stage, that may not always be possible. This may be due to size of the cast, or more likely, stage.
At my local production, the first vocal rehearsal had the entire cast spaced out as best the could in the stage room. To my surprise, everyone kept their face coverings on for the duration. The vocal director himself used both a cloth face covering and a face shield. He also threw out the idea that in addition to being mic’d for the performance, the cast may be asked to wear face shields.
The first set of questions that came to mind were all around the microphones.
how are they going to handle the mic distribution?
Will each performer have dedicated hardware?
How often will they disinfect mics?
Once those logistics are in place, the combination of face shields and mics could offer your theatrical group a safe pathway to a streamed show, live or scheduled. Personal face shields is just one of many precautions that you should consider. In addition, I’ll restate disinfecting. This applies to the usual high touch areas, but also props, costumes, and mics. Last week I also mentioned using digital backgrounds instead of physical sets. If this isn’t feasible for your theatrical group, consider putting up partitions as barrier shields.
I look forward to these elements bringing added safety to theatrical productions and becoming creative elements. Directors can break the fourth wall and draw attention to the added scenery barriers. Costume designers have freedom to style face shields as part of traditional headpieces or new one altogether. It could turn out to be a lot of fun.
The important part is the safety and the integrity of the performance, especially if you are considering a live stream. Ask your performers to face shield up when they can’t distance and a mask would prohibit the proper facial expression the role demands. Yes, they may be uncomfortable. Yes, the acoustics may not be ideal. But it will keep everyone on stage and safe.
Theatrical licensing agencies, including MTI and Concord, have secured rights to live stream select musicals, comedies, and dramas. This has occurred all in the last month as a direct response to COVID-19. During this quarantine period, schools and theatrical groups cancelled performances. These licensing houses had no choice but to seek alternatives to stay in business. Live streaming to the rescue!
An Example Close to Home
Here in NY, I know of one community theatre group that is conducting outdoor, socially distanced rehearsal. And the demand was great! They purposely chose a show that has
a small company, with no ensemble
a simple set, keeping stage crew to a minimum
a short runtime
Their expectation is that in another month’s time, restrictions will allow large enough groups to gather indoors for performances. However, the musical in question does not include streaming rights. For this reason, backup plans for the culminating performance include:
limiting the show to a selection of songs
a suitable outdoor venue
video recording
My expectation is that this proves you can produce live, stage performances; musical, comedy, or drama; in a safe manner as we reopen. If you are a theatrical group exploring this new delivery mechanism, let’s take a quick look at some factors to consider.
Licensed Productions: The Plays the Thing
It all starts with the license. Your theatrical group must sit down and decide what kind of production you want to run. Then, you review the list of available shows and select a suitable match. On the other hand, theatrical licensing agencies I have spoken with assure me they are continuing to seek out rights holder to partner with and grow their existing catalogs. For that reason, bookmark the plays and musical catalog sites. Check back frequently as the list of shows with streaming rights should be updated constantly.
Rights can vary in a few ways. While I’m biased towards live streaming, some shows only allow scheduled streaming or on demand viewing. Furthermore, rights to a particular show may limit you to a school or kid’s edition and not the full version. In those cases, agencies may only grant the rights to a school.
…and scene
In the example above, the play choice had a small cast and minimal sets. Focusing on the sets for the time being, they have two main aspects: structural and labor. For safety reasons, your theatrical group will want to keep staff to a minimum. Here is where live streaming has a major advantage: digital scenery.
completely virtual, move and transition with just clicks
less crowding backstage
frees tech staff up for other task
Depending on your theatrical licensing agency, these may be included for certain shows. Most likely, backgrounds and drop will add cost, but a fraction of physical sets. On top of that, your budget may even allow for more locales than you originally planned, when considering storage is now hard drive space not a warehouse.
Last but not least, special consideration must be given to the audience. When considering safety, the critical factor will likely be restrictions on large gatherings. In my opinion this should be the deciding factor to live stream or produce a virtual event (pre-recorded, remote productions, et al). Similar to keeping backstage at a low occupancy, the house should be empty of patrons.
Prior to going live for a “full house” your company should get used to the technical aspects. A few of the theatrical licensing agencies allow dress rehearsals and the ability to offer complimentary tickets. As a result, you can test your show to make sure it looks the way you want. Afterwards, you can open it up to bigger audiences.
An exclusively web-based audience now provides your theatrical group with new possibilities. With a firm grasp on the technical side of the house, you can sharpen the live streaming costs and find sweet spots for:
audience size
ticket prices
budget, in comparison to renting a larger theater
My hope is if you are a theatrical groups that previously had to rent an outside space, you can re-purpose your budget, or a portion, into offsetting the live stream costs. And if you own your own space, live streaming will allow larger audiences beyond your usual capacity. Lastly, in both cases, as you get comfortable with the technology, the streaming budget increases, improving production quality.
Standing Room Only
This is by no means a complete and comprehensive guide to producing a musical or play during a pandemic. One glaring omission at first reading this should be: I don’t mention video requirements. In my experience, many theatrical groups have a house videographer or often work with a video production company. But, there are many other considerations, that video will not solve. Just to name a few:
testing or screening of cast, crew, and staff
socially distancing rehearsals and blocking
disinfecting rehearsal spaces, costumes, and props
From a technical perspective, take a look at my gear page for ideas on what you will need to live stream your performance. Depending on your level of comfort and expertise, a mobile device may be all you need. But you will need to convert the video into a web friendly format. You can use software or dedicated hardware. Just like set, costumes, and props, you may choose to buy or rent.
Once your show is on the web, you need a video player for your audience to watch. Again, theatrical licensing agencies are delivering turn-key solutions that offer virtual:
box office
theaters, including lobbies
programs
Make sure to contact your licensing agent and find what show options, technical capabilities, and customer support they are offering. We are in a pandemic, but the show must go on!
Handing over this week's edition to my high school friend, now a Dr at University of Connecticut
I was once told by a very good friend of mine that I “wasn’t really black” because I was “smart”, “kind” in premed classes and I liked the Beatles and REM…
but I was “black enough” to be stopped by police officers because I fit the description, a laughable photocopy of a black face which looked just like me because I had eyes and a nose and ears and of course a black face. They were looking for a rapist and I, all 13 years of me, in my Catholic school shirt and tie “ fit the description”
I was “black enough” to be called a nigger randomly as I walked home one evening.
I was “black enough” to have white women step out of the elevator whenever I walked in
I am just “black enough” to be seen with suspicion and fear.
I was “scary Dr. Alerte” until I painted a smile on my face and donned the elbow padded tweed jacket uniform of the academic. The safe academic who probably won’t attack you or rob you or assault you. I wear a shirt and tie everywhere because a hoodie just might get me killed.
I named my son Atticus after Atticus Finch and I find myself secretly, quietly, happy that due to his genetics he is just “white enough” to “pass” so hopefully he won’t have to walk the road I’ve had to and hopefully I won’t be standing over his grave.
I am so very, very tired of the understood and accepted world I find myself in.
Earlier in the month several articles started popping up talking about people suffering from Quarantine fatigue, after a considerable amount of time asked to #StayAtHome. With Memorial Day just around the corner, these theories will certainly be put to the test, as the Greater NYC metro area is still shy of hitting all the NY Forward re-opening metrics. I had firsthand experience with this last weekend, with the weather obliging many more cars and walkers were visible. A week later and the metrics continuing to improve should only add to that. My hopes is that it is a moderated and safe break from quarantine.
I mainly bring this up because the fatigue appears to be setting into the schedule of virtual networking events. Have we hit a Zoom Wall? Part of it, I suspect, is resources being shifted to opening business back up. At the same time, I have noticed a drop off in
attendance at events
participation within events
availability of events
Are we saving our energy to dust off professional attire and finding alternates to public transportation. Or has the novelty of video conferencing genuinely worn off and it needs to go back on the shelf, behind a glass pane “Break in case of emergency”?
Virtual Experience Improvements IRL
My perspective continues to be that the quality of these meetings needs to improve. “Yes”, the tools are freely available. “Yes”, everyone has a different schedule. And “Yes,” everyone has their own domestic situation. However, whether you are a team manager running regular status meeting, a moderator of a panel with diverse experts scattered nationally, or president of a community board, you should:
take the time to get familiar with the software, get to know as many of the “ins and outs” as you can. You never know when they’ll come in handy.
publish best practices for a conferencing setup to all your participants. Microphones, cameras, camera height/placement, background acoustics/visuals, etc. (Check out Epiphan’s Tuesday session, below)
Moderate the participants. Mute and un-mute only speakers when it is their turns, leave time for questions, and get as many involved as possible. Just like IRL.
Again, I know everyone has a different level of expertise, comfort, etc. If you can’t dedicate the time to be a master of all of these, ask for help. From what I remember about the workplace, there was usually one or two folks that would thrive when given responsibility and ownership of a task. I’d like to think that still exists. Fatigue or no fatigue.
The White House Guidelines for Opening Up America have been released. Also out of Washington, D.C. this week were several statements from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, pertaining to small businesses. Let’s dive into what was published.
Every business owner, and employees as well, should carefully read the gating and phased guidelines presented to state officials for Opening Again published on April 16th, 2020. There are specific types of employers, such as bars, gyms, and restaurants, that have stricter criteria, but in general the phases unroll similar to how some states recommended increasing workplace density, albeit in reverse. The reality for most reading this email, however, is that we are at least 14 days, if not more, away from entering Phase I here in the Northeast Corridor. We need to prepare, but also manage until business reopens and begins to pick up.
This is where the U.S. Chamber of Commerce comes in. Many of us applied for the Paycheck Protection Program only to see it run dry, leaving many on the sidelines with no chance to get into the game. Immediately after that news broke, the CoC issued its third plea asking Congress to replenish CARES Act funds designated to small business, freelancers, and independent contractors. Keep your application up to date or submit one if you have not already, anticipating new funds becoming available. While we wait for Congress, CoC had already sought help from the private sector and secured contributions from a number of corporate entities. From the “Save Small Business” Initiative press release:
Funded by contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the Foundation will provide $5,000 supplemental grants to small employers in economically vulnerable communities
U.S. Chamber website
Now, before you flood the Save Small Business website, applications can be submitted starting on April 20th,2020 at noon PT. Requirements include:
employ more than 3 people
employ less than 20 people
operate in an economically vulnerable community
Best of luck with your application! In the meantime, here’s Mark Cuban’s take on opening up the economy and other topics. Stay healthy and keep streaming!
P.S. It may not be clear to all, but this post’s title is to be sung to Randy Newman’s “Short People”
The impact of COVID-19 is rippling through the worlds of business, sports, personal lives, and certainly this week’s newsletter. Here in NYC, congregations over 500 people are now prohibited, but events large and small, urban and suburban are being postponed, suspended, and cancelled.
I am happy to see local municipalities banding together in the effort to keep businesses, small, medium, and large, running. For example, the Queens Chamber of Commerce will be continuing outreach with a daily email and are actively seeking businesses in distress that they may support in one form or another.
Last Friday I received my first invitation to an online event, to subsidize the lack of in person gatherings. I fully expect more of these type of events to pop up in the coming weeks. As they reach a critical mass, I will return to curating networking opportunities for us all and sharing across this medium.
I’m sure you have no shortage of emails stating CDC and WHO guidelines, so I will not regurgitate them here. What I can’t stress enough is to surround yourself with information from reputable sources. To paraphrase NY Gov Cuomo from his daily update, the anxiety surrounding the calamity can at times be worse than the calamity. There is no need to spread false facts or worse: fear monger, let alone give into it. And as Stevie Wonder wrote:
“When you believe in things That you don’t understand, Then you suffer,”
Keep yourselves knowledgeable on the situation and how to take proper action when the time calls for it. Thank you for reading and I’ll see you out there networking, soon!
Want to record to USB -C media? BlackMagic Design announced Video Assist 12G, a feature packed update to its professional level family of combination video camera monitor and recorders, at IBC 2019
There are two models, with each model including an innovative touch screen user interface with deck controls, as well as a large screen to view recordings.
In addition to state of the art 12G-SDI inputs and a brighter, high dynamic range (HDR) screen, some key features to allowing for uninterrupted, long form recording include:
Dual, hot-swap capable Sony L- series battery slots
Dual, hot-swap capable SD card slots
USB‑C external disk recording
While it’s not on our gear list (yet), if you are considering shooting in RAW or archiving a live event and need help setting up monitors, video, or audio recorders, contact us about getting one up and running on your production.
Below is a studio produced IBC lead-in video. It’s queued up to jump ahead and begins at the 9:50 mark, right as they dive into to listen to all the new Video Assist highlight. Stream On
If you want to step up the audio recording in your video or aren’t sure where to begin, RØDE Microphones just published two new entries in their Audio For Film 101 video series.
The team covers the whole product line, from plug-powered to micro XLR stereo, and recording situations where each one shines. Highlights include, overviews of all their popular mono models:
VideoMic
VideoMicro
VideoMic Pro
In an earlier episode they detail stereo versus mono. All three are informative and worth watching. After watching, whether you are ready to roll or still have questions, contact us to get recording your next with with great audio! The VIdeoMic Pro is on our gear list, but we can accommodate any of your audio requirements.
