Conducted by John Alexander
Academy of Web Specialists
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08:08:03 johna If we are all set to get started, I'd like to introduce you all to Ben Yoder with SeriousMagic.com
08:08:24 ben yoder Hello everyone...
08:08:24 johna Ben, would you take a few minutes to introduce Visual Communicator and tell everyone about it?
08:08:59 ben yoder Sure. I haven't done many chats... so you'll have to excuse the typing :)
08:09:25 ben yoder Visual Communicator is a new type of software tool that essentially lets you create online videos very easily
08:10:05 ben yoder You can create a "video presentation" in about 20 minutes, and publish it to your website in windows media format or others.
08:11:08 ben yoder It's almost like having your own CNN station to create your news announcements, product training, video newsletters and more -- except you don't need any video experience to pull off professional results
08:12:09 ben yoder I'd be happy to answer specific questions as well
08:12:26 dbarry What is the best lighting to get for the green screen
08:13:05 ben yoder It can really vary depending on what your room conditions look like.
08:13:31 ben yoder Typically, those cheap $8 shop lights from Home Depot can work pretty well.
08:13:49 dbarry That is where I was going next
08:13:59 dbarry standard lamp is not the ideal
08:14:00 ben yoder One hint is to aim one of the lights off a wall, so that the green screen doesn't have too many hot spots
08:14:26 dbarry got it, do the hot spots make the transparency effect, that is what I had
08:14:38 dbarry It works great
08:14:41 ben yoder Regardless of the type of lights, the biggest trick is keeping the lighting "even" without too many highs and lows
08:15:31 ben yoder Better cameras also help... some web cams work well, but none works as well as a camcorder
08:15:51 dbarry Standard camcorder??
08:16:14 ben yoder Yes! Even the older analog camcorders work well
08:16:32 ben yoder You don't need a top of the line DV camera to get good results
08:16:52 ben yoder That's because the optics in camcorders are all pretty good, even at the $300 range
08:17:22 dbarry So obviously you would want input for your video and just create the avi and import into VC
08:18:12 ben yoder You do need a way to get your video into your PC, as you said.
08:18:28 dbarry Those cards are cheap these days
08:18:35 ben yoder VC can record your video live like a newscast, and then gives you publishing options for the different formats
08:19:13 dbarry I had a problem editing a video segment after I recorded it, I had to keep starting over. Any hints?
08:19:15 ben yoder Yes, and VC will recognize any video input that Windows can see: analog, DV, composite, etc
08:19:33 ed_dec Should file size be an issue when publishing to web?
08:19:52 johna Note the little video I created on the lower half of www.searchengineworkshops.com was just using an $80 Web cam.
08:20:15 ben yoder File size can matter depending mostly on how it's shared.
08:20:49 ben yoder For instance, you can get away with a bigger video if it is streaming off your site versus one that you email to people as an attachment
08:21:33 ben yoder The ones on Serious Magic's site are 320 x 240 published at around 250-300K (which works best for DSL/cable)
08:21:50 ben yoder But you can publish in a number of different ways for different bandwidths
08:22:40 ben yoder To clarify, that was 250-300k rate, the total video files are probably 1-3 MBs
08:23:20 ben yoder What types of things do you think you could, or currently do, use it for?
08:23:52 dbarry Unlimited potential for different uses
08:24:14 ben yoder I like to hear that!
08:24:21 ed_dec I am contemplating use as showing homes (am real estate broker) in lieu of virtual tours (which are very distorted).
08:24:37 dbarry From what I have seen it is very powerful
08:25:01 ben yoder That's a great use for it. I've seen some examples from customers -- they looked great.
08:25:20 ed_dec Can you possibly send me an email with their sites?
08:25:26 ben yoder They look better quality than the "professional" tours given on the local cable show
08:25:30 snowdog What about a software company? Do any of you feel this would be a worthwhile application to demo software?
08:25:37 johna Hint...use VC to create your own emotional content to compel visitor's to respond to your Web site...
08:25:43 dbarry I will be creating training videos for the Workshops
08:25:56 ben yoder Please email me at byoder and I'll look them up for you.
08:26:24 ben yoder Yes, I think it works great for training and product demos.
08:26:42 ben yoder For me the proof was using it ourselves.
08:27:13 ben yoder I even use it for pitching the media. For instance the NY Times was interested in the software, but didn't write about it yet.
08:27:53 ben yoder So I then did a personal video pitch, explaining why the new technology was so cool. Once the editor "saw" it, he immediately scheduled a full column and gave us great coverage.
08:28:25 ben yoder I just created a personal video message, posted it to my website, and emailed the link.
08:29:07 ben yoder I'm sure I wouldn't have had the same 'emotional' reaction from a PowerPoint file, but maybe I'm not good at PowerPoint. :)
08:30:47 snowdog I've seen a product lately that converts PowerPoint presentations into flash files that can easily be emailed and there's no download time involved.
08:31:16 ben yoder Sounds like a good idea.
08:31:18 dbarry yes, but the clarity for that is going to be gross
08:31:42 snowdog Not true. It's actually very crisp.
08:32:03 ben yoder I guess I should be careful when comparing Visual Communicator to PowerPoint.
08:32:27 ben yoder PowerPoint is GREAT at what it does. But it's meant for static slide presentations
08:32:28 dbarry for graphics yes, but video too, that sounds like a high hurdle, would love to see it.
08:32:57 dbarry They are definitely a world apart from what I have seen in the software already.
08:32:58 snowdog Not video, although you know how you can make things fly around in PowerPoint?
08:33:01 ben yoder Our goal was to create a complimentary tool, but our belief is that network TV is the most powerful, persuasive media.
08:33:29 ben yoder So we wanted to combine the best of type-type graphics and slides, with video and compelling visuals
08:33:31 johna Ben...when I think of the applications for VC my mind just goes wild.....I mean everyone wants more emotional impact on their site.....this tool not only empowers one to do it but you can do it with style!
08:33:45 snowdog I agree, Ben. Your product seems to handle streaming video with ease where this other product is geared towards whatever capabilities you have within PowerPoint to convert that file to flash.
08:34:41 dbarry The streaming files it creates work very smoothly, I have tested a few bandwidths
08:35:12 ben yoder Great. Keep in mind you can also publish to AVI, and then convert to basically anything
08:35:31 rode How much bandwidth am I burning up for a one minute presentation?
08:35:37 ben yoder For instance, some people really like QuickTime
08:35:44 dbarry AVI can also be imported into flash
08:36:20 ben yoder One minute of video is typically about 1MB, depending on what level of compression you select
08:37:16 rode Is that at what level of compression?
08:37:38 ben yoder Our Pro version, by the way, also makes it easy to go to DVD. Which is also becoming a popular way to get your message out. Although DVD burners are still somewhat expensive
08:38:10 rode As it relates to VC and VC plus, what are the basic differences?
08:38:56 ben yoder The only difference between the Plus version and standard is that Plus includes 5 x6 feet of green screen, and a clip-on microphone
08:39:09 ben yoder It's a convenience package
08:39:21 rode Are there any specials that you can give us for buying today as Academy grads?
08:39:35 ben yoder Keep in mind, you don't have to use the green-screen effects, but it does add a great deal of professionalism
08:40:28 johna Go for the green screen effects by all means...it's worth it !
08:40:29 ben yoder Send me an email, I'll check with our sales manager
08:40:36 ed_dec Ben: thanks for sharing with us. I must get to an appointment but wanted to thank you first. Will send you an email reference the real estate sites.
08:40:56 ben yoder No problem
08:41:01 rode Ben, what's your email address?
08:41:20 ben yoder byoder
08:43:08 johna Ben thank you for sharing with Academy students today....I wanted to just continue to share a few other thoughts with students (since I expect many will end up buying VC and using it). Thank you for your time today...
08:43:10 ben yoder Please feel free to email us with questions as well.
08:44:55 johna I'd like to share a few tips
08:45:25 johna When working with Visual Communicator...take time to rehearse
08:47:01 johna Although the VC makes it incredibly easy to create a video with professional music, sound, graphics, animation and a few other things....one of the most important elements for compelling response is...
08:47:40 johna your voice and your delivery...
08:50:06 johna The human voice is one of the most amazing instruments for compelling Web visitors to respond....in a way it's the next best thing to being there. Most people do not realize that all it takes to improve is a little bit of practice and the great thing....
08:50:37 johna about VC is that it can make this process actually fun.
08:51:25 johna Of course we are not just talking about voice but the subject is so expansive I thought I cover just a few tips on voice to begin.
08:52:25 johna Remember that the slightest variance in the tone of your message can have unusual impact
08:53:27 johna Hear is a simple exercise you can try to see what I am talking about.....
08:54:50 johna In a second I'll give you a short paragraph in quotes....I want you to read it out loud to yourself.....it won't work unless you read it audibly out loud to yourself...
08:55:27 johna Just try it and you'll see how important tone is
08:57:09 johna So I want you to read the next paragraph in a soft, gentle but very warm tone with some excitement...
08:58:48 johna "All I know, is I saw her standing there one foggy night when she did not know I was watching....slowly I approached her and then suddenly she glanced up..."
09:00:03 johna How did your voice paint the scenario? Did it sound like someone in love, approaching an old girlfriend or something?
09:00:54 johna Now try reading exactly the same passage much more slowly in an angry coarse tone...
09:01:16 johna Do it out loud or you won't get the effect
09:02:16 johna Did the read sound more like some guy getting ready to murder someone? Yet strange that they are the exact same words right?
09:03:25 johna Thing carefully about your tone and delivery and practice using VC rehearse feature before you record....or try this....
09:03:47 johna Think carefully (I should say )
09:04:31 johna Try putting a "smile" into your vocal delivery......
09:05:16 johna Nearly like you are speaking to a close friend....try this
09:07:29 johna When you use VC's built in teleprompter to read your dialogue, actually picture someone you know and like sitting in front of you. Talking to a friend is very warm and natural and professional broadcasters often use this technique to....
09:07:59 johna project their personality into your living room.
09:08:13 johna Practice putting a "smile" in your voice.
09:08:40 johna It's nearly subliminal but broadcasters do it all the time
09:09:58 johna Check your voicemail sometime...how do you sound.....some folks seem to have an artificial sound when they are greeting by voicemail....
09:11:52 johna You know you would not talk like this to someone on the phone but because we are recording into a machine...we let our voice go into this unnatural sounding drone or kind of a sing song approach....listen to others voicemail next time you call.
09:12:13 johna That's all the time we have today
09:12:35 johna I hope you enjoyed learning about serious magic
09:14:06 johna You're very welcome. Feel free to check the short video I created at the bottom of searchengineworkshops.com
09:14:32 johna Just click on my picture....
09:15:44 johna VC is a tool that puts all the high powered capabilities of a professional production company at your fingertips.
09:16:52 johna If you buy it....make sure to get the V Screen so you can drop slick animations and backgrounds behind you
09:17:23 johna I have to run now...but I wish you the very best of success!

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