Capturing the MIT 2016 Doctoral Research Forum: A Day with Skillman Video Group

Skillman Video Group had the pleasure of working with MIT for the 2016 Doctoral Research Forum, which was held at one of MIT’s campuses overlooking the Boston harbor.

This wasn’t the first time SVG has worked with MIT. Over the years, we have developed a strong relationship with the college, filming numerous presentations and projects beneath the school’s iconic golden dome.

Audio Setup and Management

Call time for video production was 8:30 A.M., giving our videographer and audio crew plenty of time to set up for the presentations beginning at 10:00 A.M. For this particular shoot, it was crucial to bring in audio professionals, as each presenter needed to be equipped with a wireless lavalier microphone.

This setup allowed their dialogue to be relayed into the audio board and then into our video cameras. Although it sounds complex, it simply meant that the audio from the presenters would be seamlessly captured by the video cameras.

Having the audio crew at the video shoot made the transition from one presenter to the next smoother, as we had more than three wireless lavalieres, eliminating the need for an exchange between presenters. Besides the wireless lavalieres, our audio crew also set up wireless microphones at the podium and the judge’s table to capture their questions to the presenters.

Capturing clear audio was incredibly important; without it, the footage would have been unusable.

Comprehensive Videography

In addition to managing the audio for the day, we were tasked with setting up three video cameras.

When shooting presentations such as this one, it can be challenging to track where the presenters might walk. To ensure we captured each shot, we placed tape on the floor to mark where the presenters could and couldn’t stand. This helped maintain a consistent framing and ensured that the presenters stayed within the camera’s view.

We set up one video camera at the back of the room to capture both the presenter and the projection screen, and another closer to the front of the room to focus solely on the presenter.

A third camera was positioned on a table at the front of the room to record the projection screen, ensuring that the presenters’ slides were accurately incorporated into the video during post-production.

Although the back camera captured the entire presentation, it was vital to shoot the slides separately to know exactly where each one should be placed during the video editing process.

Dealing with Natural Lighting

The entire day went by quickly and with minimal problems. One challenge we addressed early on was the lighting situation.

A lot of natural light flowed into the room, which could cause shadows and affect the white balance settings on our cameras.

To counter this, we set up two LED lights at the front of the room to offset the shadows. We also adjusted the white balance on the cameras to match the indoor lighting temperatures, ensuring consistent and clear footage.

Smooth Organization and Execution

The MIT staff had the entire presentation on a timer. There were about eight presenters in total, and each had 10 minutes to discuss their research, with an additional 10 minutes allocated for judges’ questions.

The organized schedule ensured that the presentations flowed smoothly, with minimal lag time between each presenter.

This efficiency made our job easier and allowed us to focus entirely on filming without unnecessary interruptions.

The Value of Professionalism

Working with MIT on the 2016 Doctoral Research Forum highlighted the importance of professionalism and meticulous planning in video production.

From the early morning setup to the careful management of audio and lighting, every detail was handled with precision.

This approach ensured that we captured high-quality footage that would effectively showcase the groundbreaking research of MIT’s doctoral candidates.

Looking Forward to Future Collaborations

Our collaboration with MIT continues to strengthen, and we look forward to future projects where we can further hone our skills and deliver exceptional video content.

The experience of filming the Doctoral Research Forum was a testament to the value of teamwork, preparation, and a keen eye for detail in the field of video production.