AV: The Path To Happiness and Enlightenment

Getting an AV Brief Right

How many in the audience?How many presenters?

Size of the room?Session times?

WRONG

QUESTIONS

Ask not what, grasshopper. Ask why.

“Because we have an event every year, that’s why.”

Why should they come to a venue to see this?

Who is the presenter?

What’s the message?

Audiences expect amazing

HD images

People Choose Convenience or Quality at Different Times

AGM

TrainingProduct Launch

Association Conference

Franchisee MeetingAwards Night

Sales Kickoff Investor Update

Desktop Projector

3000 lumens. 6-8’ pic. $195 a day.

Desktop Projector

Suits: breakouts, training, lunches.

Mid-Size Projector

5500 lumens. 8’-14’ pic. $650 a day.

Mid-Size Projector

Suits: moderate plenaries, launches, events

High End Projector

10-20,000 lumens. 20’ pic. $1500-3000/day.

High End Projector

Suits: big plenaries, major events

Panoramic Video: Watchout

LED Screens

LED Screensns

Video ConferencingRarely usedUses ISDN (digital) linesCheck well in advanceCost $3K-$6K

Can also use IP Protocol (web)

Needs fast linkLine fees 15% of ISDNPicture quality improvingSome clients use Skype

Small Sound System

8 channels, 40-250 pax, suits breakouts, smaller events, computer playback $250

Larger Event PA

24 channels, bass subs,EQ.Suits launches, plenaries. 250-600 pax (theatre style)$800

Entertainment PA24 channels, bass subs,EQ.foldbackSuits gala dinners. 400-1000 pax $1200-$5000

FX Rack Foldback

Vision delivers information.Sound delivers emotion.

Basic Stage Lighting

Stage WashProfile Spot

Lighting

Follow Spot

Moving Lights $180-$400/dayAllow at least 2-3 hrs programming

Big Lights = Big Power (3-Phase)

If lighting budget is over $7000, hire a lighting designer, take their fee out of rental budget.

Desktop ProjectorForgetting computer audio#10EVENT CRIME

WATCH

Sources

#9EVENT CRIME

WATCH

PRESENTATION

LIGHT SWITCH

#8EVENT CRIME

WATCH

#7EVENT CRIME

WATCH

Mac

#6EVENT CRIME

WATCH

Macs Have (Many) Different Graphics Outputs

Remind presenters to bring their own adaptors

#5EVENT CRIME

WATCH

SCREEN TOO LOWSo only the front two rows can readEverything else is hidden from viewVital knowledge hidden down here #4

EVENT CRIME WATCH

Presentation Looks Weird

• Presenter used a specialised font• Show computer doesn’t have that

font• No video either

#3EVENT CRIME

WATCH

#2EVENT CRIME

WATCH

3 units high

4 units wide

4:3 Images

9 units high

16 units wide

16:9 – Wide Screen

#1EVENT CRIME

WATCH

How To Get Money

Banners: Old School

#1aEVENT CRIME

WATCH

If there are multiple presenters, hire a computer.No passwords, IT dept restrictions, Win XP, embarrassing IM popups.

Gobos(from ‘Goes Before Optics)

GreenerEvents

• Uses <10% of energy of conventional lighting

• No lamp disposal issues

LED Lighting

Plasma LCD/LED: 50% less power

PowerPoint Printouts: was

Slide-uments: stop!

PowerPoint Printouts: was

slideshare.net

Single Most Important Tip of The Session

Your Event is as Good As Its

Rehearsals

Allow enough time for both setup and rehearse.

When you find AV people who get it, stick with them.

Let Presenters Get To Know The Stage

Questions, grasshopper.