Live streaming is today’s version of broadcast. Thanks to the internet and modern technology, everything is a little easier – for production and for the viewer. In the average scenario, camera(s) and microphone(s) capture an event. The captured content is then distributed to viewers, via the internet, in real-time.

Nowadays, even traditional broadcasts are providing live stream platforms for their audience. A couple examples would be the news and sports. Good uses for live streams would include: Fundraisers, Promotion and Announcements, Performances, Training, and Special Events.

It depends on your production needs. You can live stream for free from a smartphone or laptop but it would have a lot of limitations. Here are five basic questions to keep in mind when budgeting your live stream production:

• Would it require a single camera or many?
• Will lighting and live audio be provided?
• How many locations will the event take place in?
• Will the webcast need to be private or public?
• Will internet be provided? (Minimum 10MB upload speed is recommended for a single destination live stream at 1080p)

Yes, of course you can! One of the best things about live streaming is that it’s widely accessible to the creators, and to the audience. 

If it is mission critical that the live stream goes smoothly, it would be wise to hire professionals. If the production expectation exceeds your current abilities. If you don’t have time to focus on the live stream production.

There are parts of video and live stream production that overlap, but each has its own unique workflow. Having knowledge in video production is helpful because it gives you a head start when making creative decisions in regards to cameras, lenses, and audio. Where it differs, is in the live, no-mistakes, element, and also in the network and technical direction category.

The equipment requirements may also be slightly different. For example, one benefit of having a live stream rig, is that it will give you the ability to color correct or change settings on multiple cameras from a single location, without slowing down the working camera operators. 

You can choose to have each individual camera, and audio sources recorded, and/or the final line cut (what the viewers saw). With this footage, you now have a fully edited video to use however you’d like. The entire video can be uploaded to be watched at the viewer’s convenience, and also edited, or cut, into separate segments to create individual videos, and more!