Video Recording Guidance #
There are no particular requirements, nor restrictions for equipment used (particularly since WISDAA contests are non-comparative). In individual recordings (such as for Speech), students may use earbuds, a headset, or phone as a microphone.
The current, most universal and versatile file format is .mp4. Use a free tool (for up to 25 videos per day), such as CloudConvert (which is entirely cloud-based and can be run in your web browser), to convert video files to MP4. For one-act plays uploaded to the AnywhereSeat platform by Ludus, these guidelines are suggested.
Editing #
Recording should be single camera, single-take, except to allow stitching separate student video segments together (particularly where scheduling or bandwidth is a concern). Fade-in/out transitions are allowable in that context, but no other editing other than connecting the video with subtle transitions is allowed. Single-take recording does allow for camera switching for both in-person video capture as well as screen recording of videoconferences (such as using Switcher Studio or a similar tool). The key rule is no post-production editing, which is what delineates theatre from film.
Platforms & Sharing #
Speech + Thespys Platforms #
YouTube, Vimeo, and Dropbox are popular options. Advisors are responsible for ensuring the link from any video or file sharing platform is viewable by anyone, so adjudicators can see the presentations. Do NOT use links shared directly/privately to a specific email address, as those will not be accessible to the various adjudicators who attempt to access the link.
Sharing Instructions #
- YouTube (follow instructions for Unlisted videos)
- Vimeo (follow instructions for Unlisted videos)
- Dropbox (see section “Create and share a Dropbox link with view-only access”)
Google Drive (see Step 2 > Share a file publicly)[see red box above]
Adjudicators are encouraged to notify the State Office when they are unable to access a video, but it is up to advisors to respond quickly and within the window of time provided for adjudication. In cases where this cannot be resolved in a timely manner, the entry will be considered a no-show. Advisors are strongly encouraged to double-check that sharing settings are correct by accessing links from incognito/private browser windows, where they are not logged into their usual Google/YouTube/Dropbox account.
One-Act Theatre Platform #
One-Act plays are encouraged to be uploaded to our partner, AnywhereSeat by Ludus.
Registering Video Links #
Once an entry has been initially registered as virtual or dispatched to the virtual contest for a particular level, coaches should log into SpeechWire, navigate to the list of My tournaments, click the “Register” link next to the appropriate festival, and click the Video links icon to add the link(s).
Students: Watching Peers #
As part of annual update of their student rosters in SpeechWire, coaches can provide an email address for each participating student. This could be a school-provided email address for students, or a special personal email address created by the student for purposes of participation. SpeechWire will create student accounts linked to those email addresses, which students will use to log in and view asynchronous, pre-recorded video entries of peers assigned to the same “rooms” each round, just as they would see those performances at an in-person festival. For synchronous rounds, the student’s SpeechWire account will log them into a videoconference room where they will gather with other contestants and the adjudicator for their round. For safety and security, only contestants and adjudicators will have access to any asynchronous or synchronous rounds; family/friends/other guests will not, unless they watch in the same room with their student when their student is logged on.
