Time Markers: 0:00 - Overview 0:46 - $5000 for a GoPro on a Stick 1:44 - We Can Do Better 2:30 - How Livestreams Saved Us $55,000 3:38 - How to Build This Partnership 4:53 - Basic Equipment Overview 7:00 - All the Extra Work 8:24 - Why It’s Important to Explore New Ideas
This is great! I’m currently putting together a portable rig for my school and they previously didn’t have anyone who wanted/ had the knowledge to do it but I’m so thankful that they gave me the ability.
I have done almost the same streaming with lot lot lot of less costs. For video, I picked up two camera from online class studio, borrowed a Camlink USB capture card and another cheap capture card named HSMI capture card costs only $10. I used stock HDMI cable from classroom projector. For sound, I used Boya to Camlink attached camera to get a sound on OBS. In setting menu of OBS I have selected Camlink audio source as Mic input. For extra footage, I recorded some moving video using the same camera from outside of the auditorium and put them on different scene as backup camera angle. *** It all costed me just few trial and error. I was just not much satisfied with the audio solution in my setup, but all other gear worked well and OBS managed everything smoothly on my basic computer setup. You can now understand how much I enjoying watching every minutes of your video here. Thanks Tom, thanks a lot lot lot.
@@tombuck I was lucky to have two Sony NX100 that was being used on the class streaming. Otherwise I had to rent camera, capture card and other equipment.
This is great. I can tell you our school district spends $15k+ per school on graduation. And we have 5 high schools. They continue to spend it because no one wants to tackle it. It seems like only a big production can do. But it’s so easy now with a black magic atem mini. Plug In a few cameras and hook it up to OBS.
It's gotten even easier since I made this video! A $15K Blackmagic setup would be more than enough to cover everything and it'll last for years. But you're totally right, finding someone to tackle it can be near impossible 😬
Kudos to you and your media team! As someone who started the video production at a small liberal arts university in SW Michigan in the mid 90s and finally retired in 2013 I had a real uphill battle convincing administration as to the value of equipment and services. We started with Super VHS recording/tape editing and progressed to digital cameras and livestream. I’m very jealous at all the HD cameras, switchers and recorders available today! But, I taught students professional techniques doing the best they could with what they had. Today many of those former students have their own media companies or working for top broadcasters throughout the world. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks Larry! You hit the nail on the head, because even though the equipment changes, the mindset/work ethic/problem solving skills are where the real value lies.
Thank you for sharing. After teaching 4 photography classes and only ONE in film/video for the past 8 years at a school, my district moved me to another school to help continue their TV Studio and Video Production classes. Apparently, the last one they hired couldn't manage the classroom (sorry for the dirty laundry). Now, I'm looking at videos on UA-cam for help and came across this one and loved it. Thanks again for sharing and I'll subscribe now to learn more about digital studio and live stream production. THANK YOU!!
@@tombuck And distance learning for THIS new teacher at the school to start out the year on top of it, yikes! But I feel better now after watching your videos. Appreciate you!!
Great video! I think that $5000 *at the time* was not a “bad” deal - you weren’t getting ripped off. You were paying for the experience of the computer any and the pre-existing setup of a *working* livestream. “Working” and “livestream” are 2 words that don’t always go together! On the flip side, with 5 cameras you are now getting a far superior livestream, albeit vastly more complex. And factor in the IT department’s additional time spent in setting up and maintaining the infrastructure you use at the graduations. To be honest, now a days it would cost way more than $5k/event to hire it out again with your current setup. It might be a useful activity to spend a class period going over the commercial pricing of such an activity. Your students would learn how important math skills are in managing a business.
You’re completely right, things were very different in 2013/2014 when it came to streaming events. I love the idea of pricing out what a service like this would cost. I do often struggle to help students understand how valuable their skill sets can be, and having a business mindset will only help.
You really are doing a great job. It’s hard. And life is one big learning experience of mostly doing the wrong thing and making corrections going forward. (Essentially what Will Rogers said.). I do the video for my church. I had no idea how hard it was to get a stable livestream, nor how much equipment was needed. I’ve got a regular day job, so we hired out the design and installation of the system. We use Blackmagic stuff too. All the best!
I am very impressed with your school board and its IT department; however I believe that the real credit goes to you. My school board has not been quite so progressive, maybe it was my failure to inspire them. I have a lot of video and digital media experience. A number of years ago I got the opportunity to do a two day live broadcast to the web and a jumbotron, I took the chance, I trained students to operate the gear. We did the First Robotics competition. I put $50,000 on my credit card to secure the rental. The students did a great job and the event was very successfully broadcast. Did I get thanks from my school board? No. I’m retired now but now I’m live streaming professionally and hoping to score some business by live streaming graduations.
Thanks for the kind words/support! I definitely appreciate my district's openness to trying new things, but I'd also be lying if I said I didn't take a "beg for forgiveness not permission" approach to almost everything. Sometimes you have to force others to move forward I've found.
What are the blue plug ins that I'm looking at around the 5:31 mark? They are plugged into the BM Mini Converters I am currently researching for our school district. I am excited that I found your channel!
The brand is Eartec and they work pretty well- just be sure to keep the batteries charged! I don’t have a flow chart, but in this case everything is running through the Blackmagic switcher.
Can you do a video on settings we aim to activate when streaming? Since we're not actually 'recording' should you stream in movie mode or one of the other photo modes? Would be a helpful video!
Due to covid my school invested in streaming equipment and now we stream about 23 rugby and hockey games per weekend wich everyone wants to see here in south Africa cos everyone likes rugby, but we also stream assemblies and school concert since the hall, amputhether and concert hall cant be at full capacity
@@tombuck but it's a crew if about 24 so its not to hard cos the system is verry simple so there 2 cameras per filed were itss got to the point that we can stream. 14F team games wich is a prety low team but we have a big sponsor
My question is, does the school give you some commissions from everything you have saved? because that's what the business is about, supply and demand, if that company used a gopro, it would have been better for them to find a better one that meets the requirements and that way everyone wins! MY HUMBLE OPINION!!
Definitely no commission from public school districts. My GoPro experience was quite a few years ago now, so I'm curious what those companies are using/charging now when streaming has become more popular and accessible.
It’s pretty crazy, but I guess if someone’s willing to pay, then that’s all they’re interested in? Of course, this was several years ago- I feel like live streaming standards/expectations have increased since then.
I have used it in my previous job and really liked it. I shot graduations and concerts at school and used 4 cameras/phones. I really like the Sling Studio and one person and can handle a lot. Can't find a Sling studio to buy now in my current job.
Thanks for this great video Tom, how much will you say the cost will be roughly if a company come with the same equipments you guys used for the graduation? Do you think they will still charge 5,000 or above?
That's a good question. Equipment prices have come down a lot over the years, but the cost of labor is still there. I would bet a 5 camera setup would be at least $5K.
Your stance that we should invest in the equipment sounds logical but what about the video hosing. We want to conduct pay-per-view online yoga classes. Your advice related to equipment is surely valid but what about video hosting service?? After doing thorough research, I found that OBS can support pay per view only if we integrate it with video hosting platforms like StreamingVideoProvider. Do you think it is safe to merge OBS and other 3rd party ppv video hosting platform for this purpose?
If the video company would get $5000 for their work, then how much are the teachers and students getting for doing even more work -- what became of the $55,000 you saved?
In this case, our district was able to spend money on streaming gear for different school sites. Slowly but surely each school is becoming more able to handle their own streaming needs, and then students get to use the equipment all year long. 👍
Thanks for this! Many schools can't even be on location due to Shelter In Place and county rules. I made a video on how to do a full virtual graduation here: ua-cam.com/video/cYFtLfSGjmI/v-deo.html
Time Markers:
0:00 - Overview
0:46 - $5000 for a GoPro on a Stick
1:44 - We Can Do Better
2:30 - How Livestreams Saved Us $55,000
3:38 - How to Build This Partnership
4:53 - Basic Equipment Overview
7:00 - All the Extra Work
8:24 - Why It’s Important to Explore New Ideas
This was a smart investment, I'm glad you guys came up with this idea!
It works great- and it's been a total lifesaver now that our schools are all online for the time being.
I used to stream my schools gradation for 3 years. Probably one of my favorite live streams. Thanks for sharing your setup! :)
It’s a super fun thing to do, for sure!
This is great! I’m currently putting together a portable rig for my school and they previously didn’t have anyone who wanted/ had the knowledge to do it but I’m so thankful that they gave me the ability.
That’s awesome! I’m sure you’ll create something incredible for them.
I have done almost the same streaming with lot lot lot of less costs.
For video, I picked up two camera from online class studio, borrowed a Camlink USB capture card and another cheap capture card named HSMI capture card costs only $10. I used stock HDMI cable from classroom projector.
For sound, I used Boya to Camlink attached camera to get a sound on OBS. In setting menu of OBS I have selected Camlink audio source as Mic input.
For extra footage, I recorded some moving video using the same camera from outside of the auditorium and put them on different scene as backup camera angle.
*** It all costed me just few trial and error. I was just not much satisfied with the audio solution in my setup, but all other gear worked well and OBS managed everything smoothly on my basic computer setup. You can now understand how much I enjoying watching every minutes of your video here. Thanks Tom, thanks a lot lot lot.
This sounds like an awesome setup! Can't beat that price.
@@tombuck I was lucky to have two Sony NX100 that was being used on the class streaming. Otherwise I had to rent camera, capture card and other equipment.
Great innovation and looking out for the kids development. Kudos!! Teachers should be paid 6 figures for all they do for this worlds. Thank you
Thank you very much!
This is great. I can tell you our school district spends $15k+ per school on graduation. And we have 5 high schools. They continue to spend it because no one wants to tackle it. It seems like only a big production can do. But it’s so easy now with a black magic atem mini. Plug In a few cameras and hook it up to OBS.
It's gotten even easier since I made this video! A $15K Blackmagic setup would be more than enough to cover everything and it'll last for years. But you're totally right, finding someone to tackle it can be near impossible 😬
Kudos to you and your media team! As someone who started the video production at a small liberal arts university in SW Michigan in the mid 90s and finally retired in 2013 I had a real uphill battle convincing administration as to the value of equipment and services. We started with Super VHS recording/tape editing and progressed to digital cameras and livestream. I’m very jealous at all the HD cameras, switchers and recorders available today! But, I taught students professional techniques doing the best they could with what they had. Today many of those former students have their own media companies or working for top broadcasters throughout the world.
Keep up the great work!!
Thanks Larry! You hit the nail on the head, because even though the equipment changes, the mindset/work ethic/problem solving skills are where the real value lies.
The Enthusiasm Project My mantra to my students was always, “Do the best you can with what you have.”
Haha, I say the exact same thing. Very important life skill!
You Deserve a Million Subscribers
Your comment deserves a million likes 😁
Being a digital media teacher as while this gave me some ideas for this school year
That’s awesome! Glad to meet another teacher! I’d be interested to see new ideas grow.
Thank you for sharing. After teaching 4 photography classes and only ONE in film/video for the past 8 years at a school, my district moved me to another school to help continue their TV Studio and Video Production classes. Apparently, the last one they hired couldn't manage the classroom (sorry for the dirty laundry). Now, I'm looking at videos on UA-cam for help and came across this one and loved it. Thanks again for sharing and I'll subscribe now to learn more about digital studio and live stream production. THANK YOU!!
Oh boy, sounds like a rough situation. Best wishes and I'm glad you're here!
@@tombuck And distance learning for THIS new teacher at the school to start out the year on top of it, yikes! But I feel better now after watching your videos. Appreciate you!!
@@tombuck Awesome! I just followed you on IG via The Purple Lens Productions (formerly BHS Viking Vision for Blair HS in Pasadena, CA). Thank you!
Fantastic! 👍
Great video! I think that $5000 *at the time* was not a “bad” deal - you weren’t getting ripped off. You were paying for the experience of the computer any and the pre-existing setup of a *working* livestream. “Working” and “livestream” are 2 words that don’t always go together!
On the flip side, with 5 cameras you are now getting a far superior livestream, albeit vastly more complex. And factor in the IT department’s additional time spent in setting up and maintaining the infrastructure you use at the graduations.
To be honest, now a days it would cost way more than $5k/event to hire it out again with your current setup.
It might be a useful activity to spend a class period going over the commercial pricing of such an activity. Your students would learn how important math skills are in managing a business.
You’re completely right, things were very different in 2013/2014 when it came to streaming events. I love the idea of pricing out what a service like this would cost. I do often struggle to help students understand how valuable their skill sets can be, and having a business mindset will only help.
You really are doing a great job. It’s hard. And life is one big learning experience of mostly doing the wrong thing and making corrections going forward. (Essentially what Will Rogers said.). I do the video for my church. I had no idea how hard it was to get a stable livestream, nor how much equipment was needed. I’ve got a regular day job, so we hired out the design and installation of the system. We use Blackmagic stuff too.
All the best!
Thanks so much! It is a ton of work, but at least it’s fun. Good luck with your streams!
I am very impressed with your school board and its IT department; however I believe that the real credit goes to you. My school board has not been quite so progressive, maybe it was my failure to inspire them. I have a lot of video and digital media experience. A number of years ago I got the opportunity to do a two day live broadcast to the web and a jumbotron, I took the chance, I trained students to operate the gear. We did the First Robotics competition. I put $50,000 on my credit card to secure the rental. The students did a great job and the event was very successfully broadcast. Did I get thanks from my school board? No. I’m retired now but now I’m live streaming professionally and hoping to score some business by live streaming graduations.
Thanks for the kind words/support! I definitely appreciate my district's openness to trying new things, but I'd also be lying if I said I didn't take a "beg for forgiveness not permission" approach to almost everything. Sometimes you have to force others to move forward I've found.
Very good!
What are the blue plug ins that I'm looking at around the 5:31 mark? They are plugged into the BM Mini Converters
I am currently researching for our school district. I am excited that I found your channel!
Those are SDI Optical Converters, which let you send and SDI signal over optical cables (usually a lot cheaper than long and heavy SDI cables).
Should starting doing some sports broadcasting too!
We've done that in the past and it's definitely fun-especially making graphics for scoreboards and stuff.
great video! Wanted to ask what headsets are you using for your crew? And any chance you have a flow chart of some sort to illustrate the SDI flow?
The brand is Eartec and they work pretty well- just be sure to keep the batteries charged!
I don’t have a flow chart, but in this case everything is running through the Blackmagic switcher.
@@tombuck I'm using a Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio Pro 4K Live Production Switcher for high school theatre currently
Perfect! The SDI inputs on the back of that are super handy to have.
Can you do a video on settings we aim to activate when streaming?
Since we're not actually 'recording' should you stream in movie mode or one of the other photo modes?
Would be a helpful video!
Due to covid my school invested in streaming equipment and now we stream about 23 rugby and hockey games per weekend wich everyone wants to see here in south Africa cos everyone likes rugby, but we also stream assemblies and school concert since the hall, amputhether and concert hall cant be at full capacity
Wow! That’s a ton of streaming 🤯
@@tombuck but it's a crew if about 24 so its not to hard cos the system is verry simple so there 2 cameras per filed were itss got to the point that we can stream. 14F team games wich is a prety low team but we have a big sponsor
F A N T A S T I C
My question is, does the school give you some commissions from everything you have saved?
because that's what the business is about, supply and demand, if that company used a gopro, it would have been better for them to find a better one that meets the requirements and that way everyone wins! MY HUMBLE OPINION!!
Definitely no commission from public school districts. My GoPro experience was quite a few years ago now, so I'm curious what those companies are using/charging now when streaming has become more popular and accessible.
@@tombuck All depend what you need, I have a small video streaming company and we have different budgets depending the setup
Hello Tom. Could you share with me the kind of computer you use and specs?
In this video we used a 2016 iMac. I currently use a base model M1 Mac Mini. 👍
$5,000 with just a GoPro, how do they sleep at night?!
It’s pretty crazy, but I guess if someone’s willing to pay, then that’s all they’re interested in? Of course, this was several years ago- I feel like live streaming standards/expectations have increased since then.
Have you ever used the SlingStudio device or know anything about it?
I haven’t used it personally yet
I have used it in my previous job and really liked it. I shot graduations and concerts at school and used 4 cameras/phones. I really like the Sling Studio and one person and can handle a lot. Can't find a Sling studio to buy now in my current job.
Thanks for this great video Tom, how much will you say the cost will be roughly if a company come with the same equipments you guys used for the graduation? Do you think they will still charge 5,000 or above?
That's a good question. Equipment prices have come down a lot over the years, but the cost of labor is still there. I would bet a 5 camera setup would be at least $5K.
@@tombuck Thank you
Your stance that we should invest in the equipment sounds logical but what about the video hosing. We want to conduct pay-per-view online yoga classes. Your advice related to equipment is surely valid but what about video hosting service?? After doing thorough research, I found that OBS can support pay per view only if we integrate it with video hosting platforms like StreamingVideoProvider. Do you think it is safe to merge OBS and other 3rd party ppv video hosting platform for this purpose?
Everything we did was free, so it was on UA-cam. I believe Vimeo offers a pay per view option at a pretty reasonable rate though.
If the video company would get $5000 for their work, then how much are the teachers and students getting for doing even more work -- what became of the $55,000 you saved?
In this case, our district was able to spend money on streaming gear for different school sites. Slowly but surely each school is becoming more able to handle their own streaming needs, and then students get to use the equipment all year long. 👍
what wireless headsets are you using?
They're from a brand called Eartec
Thanks for this! Many schools can't even be on location due to Shelter In Place and county rules. I made a video on how to do a full virtual graduation here: ua-cam.com/video/cYFtLfSGjmI/v-deo.html