How Do You Capture an Audience from Home for a 2-Day Conference?

The simple answer is: bring the energy of live TV into the virtual space. That’s exactly what we did for AFCA’s member forum. We used a mix of live streaming, interactive tools, and professional production to keep everyone alert and engaged for two days straight.

Transforming a Traditional Conference into a Virtual Experience

• Platform Choice: We used Vimeo for live video hosting. It let us share high-quality visuals with minimal delays.
• Audience Interaction: Slido was our go-to for questions, polls, and quizzes. It gave attendees a voice, no matter where they tuned in from.
• Studio Setup: Our soundproof studio in South Yarra let us host a presenter and one guest (due to distancing rules). A separate control room housed our director, Matt Jasper, and the crew to keep everyone safe.
• TV-Style Production: We created split-screen layouts, added music stings, and switched between live and pre-recorded content. It felt like watching a mini TV show—more exciting than a plain old Zoom call.

Why a Soundproof Studio Matters

City noise can ruin a broadcast, so our South Yarra location was perfect. We avoided tram and traffic sounds, and the nearby train station made it easy for any in-studio guests to get there.

Remote Guests from All Over Australia

Other speakers joined from their homes. They simply dialled into our Livestream setup on Vimeo. This let them interact with both our host and the virtual audience through their webcams and mics, keeping the conversation flowing in real time.

Pre-Recorded Segments

If AFCA needed a segment in advance, we filmed it during rehearsal. Our editor, Emel Berdilek, then polished the footage and had it ready to roll into the live broadcast.

The Power of Rehearsals

Practice made everyone more comfortable. We tested our audio, video, and interactive tools with all presenters. This also put AFCA’s mind at ease—nobody likes surprises on a live broadcast.

The Results: Overwhelmingly Positive

AFCA ran two online forums in 2020—one in May and one in November. After each event, attendees said they preferred the new virtual format over a traditional in-person conference. According to AFCA’s Shiv Nair, “It was basically a mini production.”

See It for Yourself
Want to know what that looks like in action? Check out AFCA’s website for highlights. You can also explore more of our work in our previous video production examples page or on our Vimeo channel.

Key Takeaways

• Mix professional video production with easy-to-use streaming platforms.
• Engage viewers with tools like Slido for real-time questions and polls.
• Use a soundproof video studio or quiet space to avoid interruptions.
• Run rehearsals to smooth out any issues before going live.

Ready to take your next conference online? We’re here to help bring your vision to life—no matter where your audience sits.