Mills James provides staging support, audio and lighting solutions, and video projection and display systems for hundreds of live events each year. Below are some thought starters and production suggestions from our “A/V geeks” to help plan your next event.

Sound Advice
The number one A/V need for any successful meeting is quality sound.

If your attendees can’t hear, nothing else matters. The type of audio system you’ll require depends on audience size and event venue. Powered speakers, a small mixer and a few microphones will easily accommodate groups smaller than 150 people. Crowds of 150 or more people, larger spaces, and more complicated audio set-ups may require multiple speaker clusters, sound equalization and delay systems, and a digital audio console to provide high-quality audio in your meeting environment, suppress echoes and improve sound intelligibility.

If you plan on using more than four microphones – especially wireless microphones – or require multiple inputs (DVD or CD players, for example), we strongly encourage budgeting for an on site audio engineer. The audio engineer can make adjustments for different speakers’ voices, avoid and control feedback and volume problems.

Lighten the Mood
Lighting equipment can add punch to staging design and doesn’t have to be expensive.

Basic, ground-supported accent lighting can add color and ambience without breaking the bank. A few theatrical-style lights on floor-mounted stands and a simple dimming system are often ample for podium presentations. For larger venues, or events with extensive presentation requirements, Mills James’ lighting directors can recommend, design, install and operate more complex, truss-mounted lighting systems and LED Color Blocks that can accommodate color and scene changes, intelligent moving lights and lighting.

Having an ample lighting power supply is paramount. Depending on your event venue, additional generators may be necessary. Always check with your venue regarding power availability and charges.

Projecting the Right Image
Once your sound and lighting needs are covered, consider your data projection and video display needs.

For simple PowerPoint® presentations, a laptop computer, digital video projector, and basic screen may be all you need. Mixing video and computer images requires adding video scalers, switchers and scan converters. Consider budgeting for image magnification (“I-Mag”), which uses video cameras to “magnify” presenters on larger screens, for large audiences. These systems can accommodate multiple cameras, video playback and recording, and provide sophisticated projection on multiple screens.

Our technical directors and projection engineers can advise you on determining projection and display options, and assist you with integrating video playback and computer-based presentation tools.

For more insight into the production process, email breid@mjp.com. For more information on Mills James services, visit their web site at www.millsjames.com. 
 

By Bruce Reid, Vice President, Mills James