Sessions are the main format of the SXSW Conference. They can be led by a single speaker, two speakers or a larger group of speakers that will all be on a stage. They might stand alone, at a podium or they may walk around. Some speakers may sit a low coffee table or behind a table of microphones in a panel type setting. While some simply speak and have conversations, others give audio/visual presentations that may require dimmed lighting.
Keynotes and Featured Sessions (KFS) feature widely known, famous and notable speakers and may belong to a specific Conference Track. KFS speakers are photographed on a step and repeat 20 minutes before the session begins (if this is part of your assignment, you will know beforehand).
Other types of sessions: Panels - smaller sessions focusing on topics that relate to a Conference Track
Workshops - sessions, also Track-related, where attendees are instructed to create something
Book Signings - where an author signs their book for attendees
Settings: 24.0 mm; 1/200 at f/2.8; no flash
Settings: 24.0 mm; 1/200 at f/2.8; On, Fired
Settings: 17.0 mm; 1/200 at f/2.8; no flash
Arrive early to sessions to identify best vantage points and set up. REMEMBER: Room capacity is strictly enforced.
Sessions are shot in the front of the stage for the first five minutes. You must then move to the side, to a seat, or to another area of the room.
For workshops, you can move around during the session to get the best shots of what’s being made.
Singles of each speaker; happy faces, SXSW branded mics
Wider shot of all speakers on stage, then groups of two or three (especially if panel is large)
Focal point on one speaker with the rest of panel out of focus (portrait blur)
Shots of speakers from the side of the room with audience visible if possible
(this is not possible in every room, and in others may require a wide lens)
Multiple angles from sessions that include something unusual like props, art, robots, etc.
Speakers with body language that conveys excitement or enjoyment (hand gestures, holding up props, laughing)
From the audience’s perspective, facing the stage (where the backs of audience’s heads are visible and close enough so the speakers are identifiable)
Post-session: Speakers interacting with the audience (shaking hands, answering questions, handing something out, taking photos with audience members)
Audience members smiling, laughing, reacting to speakers
Make sure you can see at least a few rows of people and that most of them are happy, smiling, laughing.
Any time the audience does something in unison
Example: a speaker asks a question that requires the audience to raise their hands
From the audience’s perspective, facing the stage
Close enough so the speakers are identifiable - SEE “MIDDLE DISTANCE” TIPS
From the audience’s perspective, from the side, with the speaker visible
May require a wide lens. May not be possible due to room set-up or amount of space between speaker and audience
Audience Q&A
Registrants waiting to speak at Q&A from both the speaker perspective (facing the line) and the registrant perspective (in or behind the line with speakers visible)
From the speaker’s perspective, with audience visible