live streaming options for playwrights
As you write for a new medium, it might be helpful to know more about what that medium is capable of. Below we’ve outlined how the QuaranStream theatre festival will work and some options you have when it comes to going live.
Big Picture. How’s this going to work?
New to live streaming? No worries. Tech companies that use streaming have done their best to make this process as simple as possible.
There are lots of options out there when it comes to streaming. We’ve chosen Facebook Live because we believe using Facebook as our base of operations will expand our audience.
We’ll be streaming all videos to our Facebook Page, which you can find here.
Once your play has been chosen for the festival, you and your creative team will be given editing access to this page so that you can post content.
But what sort of content will you be able to create? Keep reading to learn about some of the options available to you.
Option 1: Stream a video from your phone using Facebook.
This is a great option for creative teams who don’t feel super comfortable with technology or who are brand new to streaming as a medium. If you’ve ever made a video using your phone, you have all the skills you need to create a post using Facebook Live.
This medium is best suited for a cast of one or two characters (or for pre-cast plays performed by actors who are currently living together).
Streaming on Facebook Live from a smartphone gives performers the ability to respond in real time to comments on your video. If you want your performers to interact directly with the audience, this will be the simplest way to achieve that.
Performers streaming from a smartphone also have the ability to add a guest to their livestream. That could be a second performer at a different location, or an audience member they invite onto the “stage”.
Want to explore more ideas? Try going live from your own Facebook account to learn more about the possibilities.
How Option 1 works:
Step 1.
Open Facebook on your phone
Step 2.
Click the icon in the bottom left corner.
Step 3.
Select the Facebook page you want to stream to.
Step 4.
Click the publish icon.
Step 5.
Click Live Video
Step 6.
Click Start Live Video and begin streaming.
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Option 2: Stream a video from your computer using Facebook.
If you don’t like working from your phone, Facebook also allows you to stream to page directly from your computer. This is a great option for teams who don’t have access to a smartphone or would prefer not to use one.
How Option 2 Works:
Step 1.
Open the QuaranStream Theatre Festival’s Facebook page.
Step 2.
At the top of the page, next to “Create”, click the “Live” button. This will open Facebook Live Producer.
Step 3.
Under “Get Started” use the drop down menu to select “Camera”
Step 4.
At the bottom left corner of your screen, click “Go Live” to begin your stream.
Option 3: Stream from your computer using a streaming software.
Streaming from your computer opens up some incredible possibilities, but is a bit more technical. This is a great option for creative teams who are feeling adventurous and want to learn some new skills.
To utilize this option, you’ll need to download OBS Studio, an open source streaming software. (There are other streaming programs out there, but OBS is free and well reviewed).
Once you’ve downloaded OBS Studio, you’ll be able to live stream using your computer’s built in camera. You’ll also be able to screen share any window on your desktop. This means that anything you’re able to see on your computer screen, you’ll be able to stream to Facebook Live: a conference call on Zoom featuring ten performers, a google doc where multiple performers type monologue in real time, a music video on youtube that serves as a prologue to your play, you name it. OBS Studio also allows you to share multiple sources at once as long as they are all linked back to your computer.
If you’re writing a play featuring more than one or two performers or want to experiment with multimedia performance, this is a great option for you.
To experiment with OBS studio, create a Facebook page and practice creating some live videos.
More of how Option 2 works
Step 1.
Download OBS Studio.
Step 2.
When prompted, select Facebook Live. Leave the stream key blank for now.
Step 3.
Click the + button below sources. Add any sources you are interested in using for your live stream. Options include your built in camera (video capture device) or a window on your desktop (window capture).
Step 4.
Arrange the sources how you want them on your display.
Step 5.
Open the QuaranStream Theatre Festival’s Facebook page.
Step 6.
At the top of the page, next to “Create”, click the “Live” button. This will open Facebook Live Producer.
Step 7.
Copy the “Stream Key”
Step 8.
Return to OBS Studio. Go to File >> Settings >> Stream and paste the Stream Key
Step 9.
At the bottom right of the your OBS Studio window, click Start Streaming.
Step 10.
Return to Facebook Live Producer.
Step 11.
When you are ready, click Go Live to begin your video.
Option 3: Teach us something new!
We’ll let you in on a secret. We’re new to live streaming too.
But we know there’s a world of possibilities out there, and we’re excited to learn more! Check out some youtube tutorials, dream big, and help us reimagine what streaming theatre can look like.