
Podcast Recording Best Practices
The Day Before
Open your laptop with a camera app on to find the right spot to film. The spot should have a clear, clean background. It should not be too busy (like a tightly packed bookshelf) or have any mirrors, TV screens or windows behind you. Please do not use virtual backgrounds as they are distracting and sometimes delete part of you! Please make sure you are inside as being outside is tough for both lighting and sound quality. Best is a minimally decorated wall, rather than a blank white wall. If that isn’t available or you’d like to keep your setting more private feel free to use the “blur” background tool most recording tools have available.
Check the lighting in that spot, are any curtains open that need to be closed?
The camera (at the top of the laptop) should be at your eye-line, such that when you look into the camera it appears that you are looking into the eyes of the audience. You might need box or a few books. Try to prepare whatever props you need ahead of time so you don’t have to panic at show time.
Please make sure the computer you will be using has Google Chrome installed, as you’ll need this for Riverside.
Do not plan to use a phone or tablet (iPad). The internet signal and quality will not be enough.
The Day Of
Let the people in your home know you’ll be filming and any streaming, video conferencing or downloading should be suspended for the duration of your record.
Before you begin, please make sure you are in a quiet area of your home/apartment. Be mindful of things like (ex: outside noise, air conditioner, music, electronics, etc.).
We will be keep rolling once we begin, so if you’d like to begin again for some reason, feel free to stop. Simply give a pause before you begin again so the editors can have clean cuts.
You do not necessarily need a mic or headphones, but if you have them, feel free to use them.