Basics

The studio enables filming with up to three cameras at the same time. As one person is needed to operate each camera, the resulting increase in visual attractiveness involves higher costs.

• Even when filming just one person, it is worthwile using a second camera, in order to achieve more diversity when changing between two different frame sizes, e.g. recordings from the front and side.
  
• For statements made looking into the camera (addressing the audience), variation is still possible when using just one camera: in this case two recordings are taken at different times with different external page field sizes, between which it is possible to switch in post-production. This increases production time obviously.
  
• With two or more people, at least two cameras are required (but ideally three), depending on the roles of the people and the demands regarding quality. Using just one camera with two or more people is technically possible, but can be visually irritating because it is not consistent with our normal viewing habits. Furthermore, the focus range of the camera restricts the participants freedom to move.
  
• The same applies for videos of objects: more cameras increase the time an costs required, but also the design possibilities and visual attractiveness.
  

Generally, an unmanned camera could be used to film an overview image, which is then used as an additional cut for the recording with the operated camera; however, the attractiveness of this method is limited.

Designing the background

Generally, we recommend the corporate backgrounds when filming people. Alternatively, a neutral background can be used, which can be illuminated with different colours. Greenscreen recordings with a green background are a special case.

• The corporate design background was designed together with Corporate Communications and is the standard background when filming people, especially for official purposes. This is highly recommendable for videos which represent the ETH externally (greetings, etc.).
  
• The neutral ("white") background is used if the recording is not (only) related to the ETH, or more flexibility is rquired in design and look. It can be used with the white lighting or with different colours. In doing so, different grades of brightness and colours are possible.
• The black background is primarily designed for recordings of objects ("low-key" with dark undertone) and is used to reduce the intensity and reflection and/or to bundle attention.
  

In addition to a background in the form of a curved horizon, the studio also offers other backgrounds with limited widths (rolls attached to the ceiling with a width of 2.3 metres each), which are only suitable for frontal shots.

• The green background is used for green screen recordings, where the background can be replaced.
  
• The neutral ("white") background is illuminated with "bright white" light for similar, immersive recordings.
  
• The black background is used to highlight persons or objects.
  

The rolls can be extended on the floor for recordings without a visible horizon ("concave background"). Rolls can be obtained in different colours if the customer assumes the costs.

Studio equipment (corpus, columns, etc.)

For recordings for up to four people, we offer additional equipment and furnishings, which can or should be used depending on the content and the quality requirements.

The corpus has 3 different surfaces and is ideal for

• longer statements from one person, to provide a surface to place arms and hands and give the body a reference object,
• interviews,
• and rounds of discussions / panels. Also as a
  
• surface to present smaller objects during a statement.
  

Two glas pedestals, which offer a spatial depth for the cameras to provide visually attractive images and, with a neutral background, to establish a link with the ETH.

Chairs and table for seated scenes.

The use of other objects or accessories should be based on the content and design, and discussed with us in advance.

Teleprompter

The teleprompter is a screen positioned in front of a camera, showing the statement text for participants, which can be read while looking into the camera. An assistant configures the speed with which the text runs from bottom to top, in order to enable smooth reading. Contrary to intuitive assumptions, the teleprompter is not a tool that can compensate for any rhetorical imnadequacies. On the contrary, it is a tool that can support experienced speakers when dealing with longer statements. There is, however, a risk that the speech will no longer appear authentic. The use of the prompter should therefore be discussed and tested beforehand to check whether using keywords instead of the full text is an option.