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The DMC Personal Studio is designed to create dynamic, publication-ready videos at the push of a button. This all-in-one, easy-to-use video production resource offers a teleprompter, backdrops, cameras, microphones, and preconfigured professional lighting. An intuitive touchscreen interface enables users to capture, stream, and edit videos in real-time. This system uses the versatile Wirecast software, which provides features such as shot selection, title overlays, picture-in-picture, chroma keying, annotation, and multiple inputs. There is also a laptop connection with modes for capturing or streaming an activity.
Personal Studio orientations are available by request, and begin at the Groundworks desk in room 1315. This 30 minute orientation covers software, equipment, and room policies. Upon completing an orientation, users will be able to reserve the room. Class orientations are also available by request. Inquiries can be sent to groundworks@umich.edu
A digital copy of the room guide can be found here
Personal Studio Orientation: Access to the Personal Studio requires completion of a les than 1-hour in-person orientation. Feel free to sign up for them here, or reach out to schedule a time that works best for you (Groundworks@umich.edu)
Teleprompter
The teleprompter is what has made news anchors look smart since the 1950's. The teleprompter is a piece of 1-way glass and a camera behind it. This teleprompter shows whatever is displayed on the "Presenter Computer." Wether you are reading a script, going through a digital slideshow, or instruction on software, the teleprompter allows you to see your display while you are looking at the camera.
2. Cameras
The Personal Studio contains 2, iKan NDI based cameras, capturing at 1080p. One in the teleprompter enclosure and the desktop camera. The remote control (pictures right) controls BOTH cameras in the room. These cameras are infra red, so pointing at the appropriate camera will pan, tilt, or zoom on the camera.
CAUTION: Be intentional when pointing the remote, it will move both cameras simestaneously, if you're not paying attention.
Camera control:
3. Presenter computer
The Presenter Computer, in the Personal Studio comes with an annotation display, so you can notate live, while recording. This allows you to emphasize something on the desktop of the computer, you are sharing to your audience. This video will help to better understand the annotation display.
Use included stylus or your finger, for annotating on the display
4. Capture Computer
The Capture computer is the brains of the room. This is where all te magic occurs. It uses an application called Wirecast for capturing the variety of inpuuts we have in the Personal Studio.
The ELO touch display allows for easy switching between cameras/displays without the need for a mouse. This makes one person productions much easier.
Learn more about the capture computer
5. Room remotes
The camera remote allows for pan, tilt, and zoom of the cameras in the room. CAUTION: Be intentional when pointing the remote, it will move both cameras simestaneously, if you're not paying attention.
The Kensington remote allows for clicking between slideshows on the teleprompter (which works wonders for putting an easy to read script on the teleprompter).
Room remotes
6. Room Mics
The Personal Studio comes with 4 microphones, all wired up and ready to use (after leveling properly).
Desk Mic - The primary microphone in the room. This directional shotgun microphone lives on the desktop and needs to be powered on before use. Power button is on the mic, and the red light indicated the mic is "on."
2 Wireless lavalier mics - The 2 wireless lav mics next to the light switches in the room work well for multiple people being recorded at the same time (Wirecast system mixes ALL mics during recording).
Room mic - Hanging from the ceiling, above the full wall green screen is a room mic. Mostly a "catch all"
Unless you are intentionally using this microphone, we recommend turning the levels down, all the way before using.
Desktop Mic
Room mic
Lav mics
7. Laptop input
The Personal Studio provides a USB-C/HDMI cable to connect your own laptop or camera to the Capture Computer. If you have something on a Windows machine, or a specific application we do not have in our facility, you can connect your own device to the Wirecast system on the Capture Computer.
Images from this computer will show up under the input setting "Laptop" in Wirecast.
This does NOT connect the laptop to the teleprompter, only the Capture computer.
Laptop input
8. Presenter Stylus
We provide a stylus for use with the annotation display. It is a bit more precise than a finger, but does not offer any presure sensitivity, like a Wacom tablet would offer.
You will need to get the microphones set up and leveled before you begin recording. The Personal Studio uses the Audient EVO 16 audio interface for connecting the microphones to the computer. This simple video guide shows how to get your audio up and running.
Getting started - tips and tricks in the PersonalStudio
Instructional content showcasing the variety of functions available in Wirecast.
Editing lower 3rds
Wirecast, on the Capture Computer is a powerful production tool, allowing you to combine multiple assets into a single shot and then combine layers together.
We provide a simple lower 3rd template in the Master Copy of the Wirecast app so you can have a title while you introduce yourself. This simple video shows how to edit the text so it doesn't say "Your Name Here" and "Your Title Here."
Don't want to use our premade template. Feel free to create your own PNG image (PNG maintains a transparent background, so you can superimpost it on top of a video). Animated After Effects-like files can also be used. We recommend contacting us at Groundwork@umich.edu to discuss how the video file should be saved in order to maintain the transparent background.
Green Screen
Wirecast, on the Capture Computer is a powerful production tool, allowing you to combine multiple assets into a single shot and then combine layers together.
We provide multiple inputs with the "Chroma Key" or "Green Screen" effects applied. This guide showcases how to tweak the chroma settings, so you can make your green screen shot look as good as possible. We recommend contacting us at Groundworks@umich.edu if you have questions regarding the Personal Studio.
Additional Resources
55" NEC Display
The Personal Studio contains a 55" NEC display on a nnice rolling stand.
Though typically used for workshops, the NEC can be used with the system
NEC display shows the same image as the Presenter computer
NEC display has 15' cord and can be positioned near the cameras to also use as a source for your script/presentation materials.
an example would be it the teleprompter is too difficult to see from a distance. This display can be positioned between the cameras and referenced, as you give a presentation.
Lights
When recording have BOTH sets of lights turned on
this includes BOTH the "room lights" and the "studio lights."
Cameras and Chroma Key are calibrated to function best with ALL the lights on. It is not dramatic, bt everyone is well lit and even.
The lighting grid in the Personal Studio has lighting setups for 2 different areas. The lights should NOT be moved or adjusted in any way. The room is a bit on the sterile side when it comes to lighting, but everyone looks good and bright, in the room. It's not dramatic, but practicle.
Though YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO MOVE THE LIGHTS, you are welcome to bring in your own gear and use it on your own or together with the provided lights.
Stand AWAY from the backdrops
When standing behind the desk, you should be as close to the desk as possible. Don't stand back away from the desk. The lighting is set for you to look best while at the desk.
When standing along the "interview" side of the rom (full body shot in front of green screens, make sure to stand in front of the downward facing light. The farther away from the backdrop you are the better the results.
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