In the framework of a broader cooperation between RITCS and NetOn.Live, a series of lessons and exercises on multicam directing was identified as a first project. LiveOS from the company NetOn.Live is a Belgian server based multicam solution which is still in full development.
NetOn.Live offers us to use their hardware in Jette (Data Center), they have a small studio with ptz cameras (Production Site) and an operational LiveOS environment in a Chrome broser (Control Rooms). The operation is completely remote.
For teaching multicam lessons and exercises, the demo set-up at NetOn.Live headquarters can be used via the web-based user interface controlled from the laptops of students and teachers in the classrooms of the RITCS.
On this LiveOS setup, we can start a production that synchronously plays up to 5 playlists containing ISO files from a recorded multicam session. This simulates up to five live cameras in a multicam set-up.
The production also includes a simple software video generator.
IMPLEMENTATION
With this production the basics of multicam cutting can be learned. By using the LiveOS environment, a multicam production can be simulated without the need for an operational TV studio with accompanying crew.
To enhance the feeling of the live experience, the intercom of both the director and the assistant director is recorded in addition to the programme sound. The student can adjust the volume of the 3 channels individually.
Klik voor een korte impressie
Each student can practice individually and make a recording of his/her cutting. The recording is then converted and sent to a Google drive, where the relevant teacher can view and grade the recordings.
CONCLUSION
The ongoing pandemic is constantly putting contact teaching and group work to the test. The NetOn.Live system gives us the opportunity to let each student practice multicam cutting individually (and eventually from any location).
The experience of the first and second year Professional Bachelor of Audiovisual Arts students was very positive.
We discovered during the testing and the 2 exercises that the internet connection is the weakest link in the system, without sufficient bandwidth it is difficult to work with the system.
In addition, the current authentication system for the use of the NetOn.Live interface is not flexible enough and causes a large additional workload for both the accompanying teachers and the company. This could be overcome by using the CAS of EHB if the hardware is at the school and not at the company (as was the case in this research).
Team
- NetOn.Live : Karel de Bondt en Kim Mergits
- RITCS : Sven Vilain en Jan Dierickx
With support of
- NetOn.Live
- RITCS
