Required Action Plan for Studio #2: Get a great studio for virtual meetings and events, webinars, and live streaming – even if you’re on a budget.

What we have… Canon video camera, audio interface, microphone (omnidirectional headset/earset), monitor stands, and 4 different video light sources (AND wired Ethernet cable).

The New Video Room: we started with a generously sized room that in the back of the house – far from the street noise!

So, we require great video quality – especially video, lighting, and audio that can be changed for a specific event – e.g., 60-minute webinar verses a 3-day virtual event.

Liz must be able to: stand, move, and use a digital whiteboard - just like when presenting at an in-person event!
But... 

...this is the room before!

Yuk, the new studio’s wall was painted a flat “calming beige” – we call it Mississippi mud – the same interior wall color used in every room with its “earthy” grayish-yellow-brown undertones. We still have the contractor’s original 5-gallon bucket – hidden somewhere in the garage.

This wall color looked terrible for video conferencing or live streaming especially with Liz’s light skin tone and hair color. The studio box lights (Elgato) and video camera’s adjustments only slightly improved it.

Greenscreen? Not in this studio. The generous sized 12’ x 14’ room is perfect to allow Liz to stand, move around, and deliver great virtual meetings, live streaming, and virtual events – JUST like an in-person event.

We can utilize technology, e.g., digital whiteboards and flip charts to support virtual presentations that CAPTIVATES your audience! 

Solution! Paint the walls, add custom lighting, and background – sounds expensive!

Good News! I found a way to keep it simple, stay on budget, and get great results. The cost for additional lighting was on $80 and only $68.25 for a gallon of Glidden Diamond brand custom color - Flagstone Gray - plus painting supplies. That’s under $150 for great results.

​I used Glidden PPG: Gray or ‘Flagstone PPG1001-5’ with a 10% reduction in darkness – custom mixing. Yes, after research the effects on YOU in a video feed, a neutral gray is best to render true color for skin tone, hair, and clothing. YOU CAN AVOID grays with green and brown undertone. The paint manufactures and designers usually describe the color features including undertones.

SOOO, the lighting must be REAL EXPENSIVE$$$

​Good News! Philips full color WI-FI LED light bulb that uses their “WIZ” app. This app is simple to use and gives you a plethora of lighting options. Just specify the room, device (light bulb) and the app allows control of brightness (illumination intensity) and choose a sliding scale for light appearance. (Warm, 2200 K to Cool, 5000K). I used 5,000 K that provides best neutral color OR change, using the app, to a “blue” color at 50% brightness for the effects shown in the photos. If you can use a smart phone and post on social media, using Philips’ “WIZ” app is a whiz!

​This allows Liz and I to control the color balance, e.g., through the camera and adjusting the lighting source – those easy-to-use Philips smart bulbs.  ​