Module 1What live production is
- Live, recorded and hybrid
- The roles
- Small teams: who doubles up
Watch · then a day in the barn
Live production
Plan, rig, mix and stream a multi-camera live show that looks deliberate and doesn't fall over.
About the course
Live production: vision mixing and streaming
Built by James Jones, who has spent more than 20 years in live broadcast engineering, this course is for the people who run live streams with small teams: churches and schools, sports clubs and community groups, event AV crews and comms teams.
Eight online modules cover signal flow, cameras, vision mixing, audio, streaming and running the show. An optional practical day at the barn ends with your group putting a short show out live.
- Format
- 8 modules of narrated video lessons, about 2 hours 30 minutes, with templates and a practice mixing pack
- Option
- A practical day at the barn, 10am to 4pm, for six people
- Kit
- Lessons use vMix and a hardware vision mixer; the ideas carry over to other kit
- Dates
- Practical days are announced to the waiting list first
Outcomes
By the end, you'll be able to
- Name the roles on a live production and share them sensibly in a small team
- Draw the signal flow for a three-camera show, from lens to viewer, including recording
- Choose between SDI, HDMI and network video, and keep formats and frame rates matched
- Match cameras and write a camera plan with shot types for each position
- Operate a vision mixer: preview and programme, cuts, mixes, keys and the multiview
- Call shots clearly as a director, and offer shots as a camera operator
- Mix audio for the stream, set up mix-minus for a remote guest and fix lip-sync
- Set stream bitrate and resolution against the upload you have
- Build in redundancy: a local recording, a backup route and a holding slate
- Add graphics, play in video and bring in a remote guest
- Run a rehearsal and tech check, and recover calmly when something fails
- Know when streamed music or video needs a licence
Outline
What the course covers
8 modules. Each ends with an assignment, and the templates and checklists come with the lessons.
Module 2Signal flow
- From lens to viewer
- SDI, HDMI and network video
- Formats and frame rates
- Recording the programme and every camera
Module 3Cameras for live
- Matching cameras
- Shot types and the camera plan
- Tally and talkback
- Operator discipline
Module 4The vision mixer
- Hardware and software mixers
- Preview and programme
- Keys and lower thirds
- Multiview, macros and presets
- Directing: calling shots
Module 5Audio for live
- Sources
- Mixing for the stream, not the room
- Mix-minus for remote guests
- Embedding, sync and delay
- Levels and loudness
Module 6Streaming
- Platforms and protocols
- Bitrate, resolution and upload
- Encoders
- Redundancy
- Music, video and rights
Module 7Graphics, playback and remote guests
- Lower thirds and titles
- Playing in video
- Remote guests
Module 8Running a show
- Running order and script
- Rehearsal and tech check
- Comms on the day
- When it goes wrong
- Afterwards
Who it's for
This is for you if
- Volunteer and staff stream teams at churches, schools and clubs
- Event AV technicians and video producers moving into live work
- Comms teams who stream their own events
Who it isn't for
Probably not, if
- Broadcast professionals after outside-broadcast engineering
Waiting list
Be first to hear
Live production is on its way. The waiting list hears first when it opens, with the price and what's included.
Joining commits you to nothing.
Join the waiting list
One email when it opens. No obligation.
We'll email you when it opens and about nothing else. Unsubscribe from that email at any time. Privacy notice.
Questions
Before you ask
Do I need vMix?
No. The ideas apply to any mixer. A free trial of vMix is enough for the practice exercise if you want to follow along on a Windows computer.
What about music and video rights when we stream?
The streaming module explains the general picture and who to check with for your use. It is not legal advice.
Can you run our event instead?
Yes. Granary runs on-site live production with its own kit and crew. See live events and streaming on the main site.
Would rather hire a crew? Live events and streaming from Granary.