User:Fuzheado/Event video recording

@WikidataFacts gives Wikidata SPARQL tutorial, Vienna, Austria. Samsung Galaxy S6 streaming to YouTube Live.

Wikimedia Hackathon in Vienna, Austria camera setup during open mic first day. Canon HF R600 camcorder, and two mobile devices using Ultrapod mini tripods and Square Jellyfish clamps.

I've been asked for a description of my setup for video recording events. At Wikimania, Hackathons and other conferences, I've made good video recordings using a very lightweight setup. While I've shot video with high-end cameras and digital SLRs, I'm a fan of using the simplest, cheapest and lightest option to get the job done.

Some basic guidelines:

1. Audio should be top priority. You can make sense of audio with no video. Video without audio is useless. So the biggest error in shooting video at events is forgetting that audio should come first.
2. The best camera you own is the one you have with you. An expensive, high-end camera is no good if it's too bulky, heavy or complex to bring with you. Therefore, I like using small camcorders, mobile phone cameras and compact gear as much as possible.
3. Work with what you're given. If a good reliable network connection is possible, you can stream content directly to YouTube or Facebook Live. If it isn't, then record it to SD card and upload later. Be agile in what you do.
4. Have a backup strategy. I try to always record audio separately in addition to what is being recorded on the video device by using a digital audio recorder. This provides higher quality options for editing later, and it serves as a backup plan in case the audio is unusable or has issues from the camera.
5. Always have gaffers tape. Black fabric gaffers tape that sticks well, but releases easily, is a must have that can keep cables in one place, prevent tripping, and solve most any problem you might have. Take a three meter strip, wrap it around a pen, and have it with you at all times.

Gear list

Here's the gear I used to cover the Wikimedia Hackathon 2017 in Vienna, Austria.

Cameras:

• Canon HF R600 camcorder
  • Three SD cards - 128 Gbyte and 2 x 64 Gbyte
• Samsung Galaxy S6
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 5

Audio:

• TASCAM DR-05
• Zoom H1
• Plastic shock mount cage
• Deadcat muff windscreen

Tripod:

• MeFOTO Backpacker Air travel tripod
• Ultrapod - mini tripod, with Velcro strap
• Ultrapod II - mini tripod, with Velcro strap
• Square Jellyfish clamp for holding mobile phone on tripod
• Optional - Arca Swiss plates and mounts for quick setup and teardown

Accessories

• Two power strips
• Tronsmart - 3 port 42 Watt USB charger, supporting Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0
• Two Micro USB cables
• Two Apple Lightning cables
• Three European to universal plug adapters