Lights, Camera, Connection!
Gone are the days when filming an event meant flipping on a camera at the back of the room and hoping for the best. With the rise of virtual and hybrid events, it’s no longer just about capturing what happens on stage; it’s about creating an experience that draws people in, no matter where they’re watching from.
Think of it like making a movie; you don’t just document what’s happening, you’re telling a story. And like any good story, the way it’s presented is just as important as the content. Whether your audience is live, virtual, or a hybrid of both, the way you film can elevate an event from mundane to magnetic.
So how do we bridge the gap between “recording an event” and “engaging an audience?”
In today’s world, your event’s success depends on more than just the quality of the speaker or content. The way you film it—the angles, the cuts, the pacing—all contribute to the overall experience. Let’s dig into how you can elevate your event filming, whether it’s a live audience, virtual, or somewhere in between.
Start with the Lifecycle of Your Content
The first step in any event filming strategy is to ask, “What’s the life of this content—what’s the medium in which this content will be viewed initially and then forever?” Is it meant to be experienced in the moment by a live audience, or will its impact come from being viewed online or asynchronously later? This question sets the tone for everything from camera placement to editing.
For instance, if most of your audience will be online, it’s worth prioritizing the virtual experience over in-person elements. Take a 30-foot jib arm as an example. While it might obstruct a few seats in the venue, it delivers sweeping, cinematic shots that elevate the virtual event, making it feel more immersive and engaging. It’s all about striking the right balance. On the other hand, if the videos are intended purely for archival purposes—simply documenting the stage content—you can take a more minimalistic approach. A single camera at the back of the room combined with screen recordings can be enough. In fact, I’ve even seen events go as far as using just audio paired with slide visuals. While it’s not the most exciting, it’s a practical option for lectures or educational content on a tight budget. You have to know who your primary audience is and what they value most, and then film with that in mind.
When you understand the lifecycle of your content, you make more intentional decisions, ensuring the final product resonates with your intended audience—whether they’re sitting in row five or watching from their home office.
Editing and Pacing: The Art of Keeping Someone’s Attention
Capturing footage is just half the battle. Once the event is over, the real magic happens in editing. But it’s not just about trimming down the content—it’s about creating a narrative that guides your audience through the experience. The pacing of your edits, how often you switch camera angles, and even how long you linger on a close-up can all shape how your content is received.
Think of it like creating the perfect playlist for a road trip—you don’t want too many fast-paced songs in a row, but you also don’t want to slow things down to the point of boredom. The pacing of your edits has to match the rhythm of your content.
TED Talks are a masterclass in this. Their editing is subtle but intentional. They hold on close-ups for emotional moments, giving viewers time to connect with the speaker. They avoid too many cuts, which can feel jarring. But they also know when to switch angles or show audience reactions to keep the energy flowing. It’s all about guiding the audience’s attention.
The way you pace your edits isn’t just about keeping things tidy—it’s part of the storytelling. A good rule for edit pacing is to match the rhythm of the speaker’s delivery. If a speaker has a slower, more deliberate style, quick cuts can feel jarring. Similarly, slow transitions with a high-energy speaker can feel incongruous and diffuse the energy of your speaker. The goal is to complement the speaker’s natural cadence and avoid overwhelming the audience with too many cuts or disorienting transitions, making it easy for the audience to stay engaged. However, you don’t want to bore them into disengaging with a static camera that makes the content feel flat, especially for virtual viewers. It’s about finding the balance—cutting to enhance the story, not distract from it.
Get it right, and you can hold your audience’s attention from start to finish, making sure they walk away remembering the key moments that matter.
Framing and Camera Angles: It’s All in the Shot
Let’s talk about camera framing and angles—critical components that affect how your audience perceives both the speaker and the event itself. The way you frame your shots can make or break the emotional connection your audience feels with the speaker.
A close-up pulls viewers in, making them feel like they’re having a one-on-one conversation with the person on stage. When the content is intimate or emotionally charged, those tight, close-up shots make all the difference.
But don’t sleep on the power of the wide shot. If your event is in a large, dynamic space or you’ve put effort into creating a visually stunning stage design, you need to show it off. A wide shot gives your audience a sense of the scale and grandeur of the event. It’s like watching the Avengers assemble on a giant screen versus your phone—it just hits differently.
The key is knowing when to switch between the two. You don’t want to stay in one mode for too long. A close-up during a mundane moment can feel awkward, while a wide shot during an emotional beat can make the speaker seem distant. It’s all about balance.
Frame the Conversation: Why Eye Line Matters
A seemingly small technical detail—camera height—can make a huge impact on how connected your audience feels to the speaker. Keep the camera at eye level with the speaker for a more natural, conversational tone. It’s like looking someone in the eye when you’re talking; it makes the interaction feel personal.
But let’s say you want to add a sense of grandeur, like for a keynote speaker at a major conference. In that case, you might drop a camera at the foot of the stage. A low-angle shot creates a “rock star” effect. But be careful: using that low angle in the wrong context—like during a casual interview—can make the speaker look overpowering, or worse, awkward. I see this mistake often—people set up a low-angle camera for a keynote and then use it to cross-shoot an interview or panel discussion, which doesn’t translate well. Trust me, you don’t want your speaker’s nose to be the focal point of the frame if the camera’s too low.
By ensuring your cameras are positioned at the right height, you create a more approachable and engaging atmosphere. Understanding the tone of your event will help you decide how to position your cameras. They may seem like small tweaks but they make a big impact on how your audience receives the information.
Perfecting the Live-Virtual Balance
Balancing the needs of both live and virtual audiences can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can engage both without sacrificing one for the other. Virtual attendees need dynamic shots and creative angles to stay engaged, while the in-person crowd relies on clear sightlines and screen projections that enhance the live experience.
One strategy I’ve seen work well at major conferences is using two distinct sets of cameras: one for IMAG (Image Magnification on screens) and one for broadcast. This setup allows you to keep the on-site audience focused on the stage with consistent framing, while using more dynamic movements, like jib or rail shots, for the virtual viewers. This way, you can balance both experiences and deliver an engaging event for all.
The TL; DR
Think like a director, not just a camera operator.
Filming an event isn’t just about capturing what happens on stage—it’s about creating a connection with your audience. Whether they’re in the room or watching from home, the way you film can make them feel part of a connected and cohesive experience.
By understanding the lifecycle of your content, pacing your edits thoughtfully, and making the right technical decisions—like framing, camera height, and balancing the live versus virtual experience—you can craft an event that feels dynamic, engaging, and unforgettable.
In the end, if you’re just pointing a camera and hitting record, you’re missing the point. It’s not about documenting—it’s about storytelling. And most importantly, it’s always about making your audience feel something.