ETA Magazine talks to CT Middle East about providing virtual event solutions!
The current pandemic has certainly spurred creativity in reaching out to target audiences and keeping businesses afloat. In Singapore, a fishmonger has become a “star” with his daily video via Facebook promoting the catch on display. Recently the popular K-pop group BTS racked in about USD20 million for a paid virtual concert, that also drew a fantastic 756,000 fans. Several exhibitions have taken the virtual route as well. Events too where feasible are heading in that direction. In the last issue, we highlighted CTME’s involvement in the virtual graduation ceremony for a university in Qatar. ETA went back to CTME to get a lowdown on the ins and outs of providing virtual event solutions. We thank James Crump – Middle East Sales Manager, CTME, for answering our queries
Did CTME already have the solutions to create the virtual graduation, or was it a recent investment?
CTME have had the technology and ability to provide clients with streaming and virtual event solutions for a while now. However, demand in the region has always been for physical events with live audiences. Obviously, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a real need for clients to find ways to allow events to reach the public. CTME has been able to take our existing technology coupled with new technology that we are continuously investing in, to ensure we can deliver the creative vision of our clients whether it be in a virtual environment or a real-world physical presence.
What are the basic equipment requirements to create a virtual event?
CTME follows the theory that there are three key pillars to a virtual event. Contribution, Production and Distribution.
Contribution is the first consideration. How are the speakers accessing the virtual event? Will they need to be in a studio environment? Are they able to be pre-recorded, or will they be using one of the various video calling platforms available? Things to consider in the Contribution stage also include how the client would like the event to look – will it require multi-camera angles or a single point of reference. What are the inputs to the event, are there presentations, videos and speakers as well as potentially a live speaker/host?
The second consideration is the Production. Based on the number of inputs will the event require live switching. CTME has access to multiple platforms depending on the client requirement and desired look of the event, so will the virtual event require augmented reality functionality and features available using Notch. Many people assume that a virtual event will require fewer operators than a physical event. However, depending on the number of inputs and schedules the same amount of operators are still needed – media server operators, audio engineers and video engineers all need to control different elements of the Virtual event, just as they would with a live physical event.
The final consideration is the Distribution. Where is the endpoint for the virtual event? Is it going to multiple platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, client’s website? Is the client hosting the webpage, or do we need to create and host a dedicated site? Once the event is finished, does the client want it to be available to watch on-demand?
It is important to note we use encryption technology so your virtual event can be 100% secure.
What is the expertise required to create a virtual event?
People are the key to any event, whether it is virtual or physical. Without the experienced technicians, operators and developers working together with our custom Virtual Event platforms, it would be impossible to realize the client’s creative visions.
CTME uses many of the essential items we use daily in our live events work such as disguise media serve
