Notes for Zoom Recordings

Dear 25th HST Families,
We will start recordings tomorrow. Here are things that will help us to get the best possible recording.
Technical support
– The student recording should be on the main computer of the family (the one that is hard-wired to internet) if at all possible. – If hard-wired computer is not available – a newer lap-top that is set up near your modem (a few people have ethernet cords that they connect to the lap top – making it hard-wired) – If you have an external microphone – please use it. There are always better than the microphones built into screens. – If your student is using a lap-top – they should be sitting close to it. So – the lap top on a desk with regular chair is better than sitting on couch and lap top on coffee table. – Please try to keep other family members off the internet during the recording. This really does make a difference because when bandwidth is taxed – the recording comes in broken up.
Practical Support
– Please try to keep back-ground noise quiet. Your student’s mic will only be on when their scenes are being recorded so it won’t be an issue of keeping quiet for hours. They should be able to communicate when their scene is close and then when it is done. – Make sure your student gets rest and has eaten before recording. Give them time to get focused before their recording time (ie. don’t schedule something right before they are supposed to record). – Some directors have asked students to do diction/vocal warm-ups before signing on. – Some directors have suggested students to have the script close by to follow along. For acting scenes that have new material – the student will need to read from their script, but they should take all staples out of the script so they move pages quietly. – Help your student “get in character”. – Younger students may enjoy finding a costume item or accessory to wear during the recording. – Students who play multiple characters might benefit from having some hat or accessory that helps them distinguish which character they are playing. These unique characters can only be distinguished by variation in voice, so helping the student “embody” each character will help them remember to change vocally. – Some student won’t have anything available to dress up in but they could draw a picture and use it as their profile picture (this shows up when your video is off). Here are instructions on how to do that: – Once logged into Zoom: Select “Audio Settings” Select “General Settings” Select “Profile” Follow prompts to upload a picture.
OR: Once in a Zoom meeting: Click on the 3 dots in your box. Select: “Change profile picture”
OR: Google “How to change profile picture on Zoom” – Do not let your student stress! – Your student cannot control if the internet cooperates. Let them know we have a back-up plan. If a student’s voice did not come through well, we’ll have them record their lines using a smart phone. That file will get sent to us for the sound editors to drop lines in where they belong.
PRAYER – As always, we need to remember to pray that God will bless our efforts. In the midst of trial it is more important than ever to keep an attitude of gratitude. If we didn’t have so much technology available to us, we would end up with nothing for this year. So join me in thanking God for this option and asking His protection over the project.
Blessings, Marilyn