If your TEDx event will feature live talks, you must capture them on video. Videotaping your event is an exciting opportunity to offer your talks to a wide audience, as we'll be selecting exceptional videos to be featured on TED.com.
IMPORTANT: You will need to have your speakers sign a permission release form [doc].
Creating a cinematic experience
At TED, we strive to create videos that are engaging and cinematic.
Cameras
- Using one camera: Viewers connect most with close-ups. You want to shoot within a range of medium-to-close views rather than wide views. Your default shot should be waist up. Use a tripod for a steady shot, and keep the lens at eye-level with the speaker.
- Using two cameras: It's ideal to have more than one camera at your event. If possible, place your two cameras at 20-degree angles on either side of the speaker. Use one camera for close-ups. The tightest shot within the range of this close-up should include head and shoulders, and the widest shot should capture the speaker from the waist up. The default position should be the tighter of the two. The second camera is your wide-shot camera -- this view will establish the speaker in the room. The default shot should show the speaker from head-to-toe. Remember -- the purpose of having more than one camera is to collect a variety of footage, so you don't want both cameras recording the same shot. Avoid having both cameras default to the same waist-up medium shot, which limits footage variation and editing options.
- Using three or more cameras: Additional cameras add opportunities for a variety of coverage. You can add medium shots, and/or a reverse angle over the speaker's shoulder, showing the audience. Make sure you tell your camera crew which camera will do which shot.
Slides and visual aids
- Collecting presentation materials: If the speakers have slides or visual aids, the host or the AV team should collect them. It's best to run all presentations off of a house computer (make sure to back it up on a DVD-R or CD-ROM). If the speaker wants to run their presentation from their own computer, they should test the computer at the venue in advance of the show.
- Capturing slides on video: If possible, try to capture a direct video feed of the slides and presentation materials. If that cannot be done, keep at least a corner of the screen in your wide shot so that you will know when to advance the slides in post-production.
Audio
- Sound quality: Sound quality is as important -- if not more important -- than video quality. The first thing people notice is poor sound quality. We suggest renting microphones. Bring headphones so you can hear what the microphone hears.
- Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3: Be sure to test your microphones before the show. You may need to adjust the volume levels depending on the speaker. Remember to ask the speaker to remove noisy jewelry.
Lighting
- Highlight your speaker: The speaker should be well lit. Layer your lighting by keeping the speaker at least a few feet from the background to avoid harsh shadows.
- Layer your lighting: If your event is in a room with fluorescent lighting, bring in a few floor lamps to illuminate the speaker.
Set design
- Frame your shot so there is a clean background.
- Cpture your TEDx logo, or part of your TEDx logo, in the frame.
Film and video checklist
3 things to do
- Cameras: Plug in the cameras! You don't want to lose power mid-talk. Bring a few extension cords, too. (If you have to use batteries, bring extra.)
- Running time: Know the running time of the event. The camera and AV crew should have a time-accurate running order of the speeches so they can be prepared for different shots.
- Visual aids: Be familiar with the speaker's visual aids. If the speaker has slides, know the timing in relation to their speech. Slides also help in the editing process -- you can drop one in if there is a mistake you need to cut.
4 things to avoid
- Camera motion: Don't swing the camera around while you're shooting. If you zoom, use it to emphasize or punctuate the speaker's point. You shouldn't have to zoom in and out if you have a camera for close ups and a camera for wide shots.
- Refocusing the lens: Avoid refocusing the camera during the speaker's presentation. If you need to, focus right when the speaker takes the stage.
- Abandoning the camera: Don't set it and leave it. The camera crew should work the camera and pay attention to the speakers so that there is as much usable footage as possible.
- Turning off the camera: Never shut off your camera (or cameras) while a speaker is on stage. Plan your tape changes ahead so you don't run out at the wrong time.
How to get your talks on TED.com
If you want your TEDxTalks to be considered for viewing on TED.com, the minimum requirements are ...
- Capture talks with at least two cameras
- Use a solid, black backdrop
- Strive for great audio quality
