Skype & Video Conferencing with FastCapture

Skype is generally used with FastCapture for a few purposes: 

1. I have a client that wants to attend the session remotely. This would entail sharing the FastCapture camera with Skype, so that the client(s) in another location is able to view the live camera feed. This scenario does not require any of FastCapture’s features or interrupt FastCapture’s standard workflow, although we are happy to walk users through the correct set-up.
2. I have a talent that wants to attend the audition remotely. I want to record the video feed from Skype and have the ability to upload it to my Presentations page via FastCapture. Unlike the above scenario where the Skype call does not directly influence the Session content, in this scenario the Skype call is the Session content.
3. I have clients in several locations, talent in several locations, and I’m in another.  I want to have my clients on a conference call and hold auditions virtually, while recording the action and uploading to FastCapture.

Solution to #1: Sharing the FastCapture camera with Skype

Prerequisites:

• A device that supports multiple applications using it. (At current, Blackmagic is the only known device that often does not allow this functionality.)
• A Skype Account

STEPS:

1. Open/Create your FastCapture document.
2. Plug in your camera and converter box and power on all devices.
3. Configure FastCapture to use the desired devices by clicking "FastCapture" in the upper left hand corner of the screen then selecting "Preferences". Choose the "Recording" tab and the appropriate video and audio sources. 
   
4. Launch Skype and login.
5. Configure Skype Preferences to use desired devices. Ensure that the microphone and camera are using the same source if you wish for your client to hear the audio from the session's camera. 
6. Make Skype video call to desired user and begin your session. Make sure that you do not have any other applications running, as it may cause a tax on your system's performance and affect your video quality.

Solution to #2: Recording a Skype call with Ecamm Call Recorder and adding to FastCapture with Watch Folder

Prerequisites:

• To Record the audition of a Skype Caller, you’ll need to install Skype v8.57.0.116 or later and software called Ecamm Call Recorder v.3.0.7 or later ($39.95 One Time Licensing) configure them, and enable the Watch Folder feature in FastCapture.  You’ll only have to do this once! Ready? 

STEPS:

1. Download and install: 
• Skype (https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/)
• Call Recorder (https://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/)
2. Launch Skype, your new software Ecamm Movie Tools, and FastCapture
3. Select Call Recorder Settings: the little gear on the controller
4. Set Video Quality to High
5. Select Reveal Recordings in Ecamm Movie Tools
6. Set: Save Recordings to Desktop
7. Open FastCapture/FastCapture Preferences
8. Under General, select Enable watch folder
9. At the Watch Folder dropdown, select Other:
10. Create a New Folder (Title it ‘Watch Folder’), then Select to set it;
11. Create your FastCapture File
12. Navigate to Skype, make your call.  Once ready to record, select the Record Button - stop and start recording in Call Recorder in between takes, or end the call to stop recording.
     
     
    
13. Navigate to Ecamm Movie Tools, select your video, select Export (Uncheck ‘Reveal in Finder when Done’ on first export.)
14. Title the Clip if you’d like and choose your Watch Folder as the ‘Where’
15. Repeat steps 13 and 14 as needed for multiple takes. 
16. Navigate to FastCapture and notice your video(s) appears in the media bin.  Add the appropriate talent to the Current Talent field and hit finalize!
17. Repeat Steps 12-15 until your session is complete.

Solution to #3: Using Skype’s ‘Meet Now’ feature to conference multiple individuals in different locations

*NOTE We’ve found Skype is the best for this scenario for many reasons. Neither talent nor clients need a Skype account, they simply need your meeting link and Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to join your meeting - and your account is FREE!

1. Follow steps 1 - 11 of Solution to #2: Recording a Skype call with Ecamm Call Recorder and adding to FastCapture with Watch Folder to set yourself up.
2. Navigate to Skype and select Meet Now
3. Click the join now link to copy and paste the link into an email to your Clients, while emailing your actors individually when their time arrives
4. Select ‘Start call’; Users with the link will then join when able.
• All users - except the actor and casting director -should hide video and mute until they need to speak.
5. Stop and start recording in Call Recorder in between takes
6. When you are finished auditioning the actor, have the actor click the hang up button (End Call) OR you can remove the actor by clicking to the right of their name and selecting Remove User.
7. Follow steps 13-15 of Solution to #2 to finalize your videos in FastCapture
8. Send your next actor their link for them to join and repeat 6-8!

As always, a test ahead of time is recommended with dealing with new technology.  We are happy to help test!