|
Q:
What are the advantages of videoconferencing?
A: The Problem
Until this very day, the Internet has been of little use to Jim in coaching
his clients in their performances as comedy often involves facial expressions
and stage business that demands split-second timing.
The "jaggies" we associate with web video interfered with transmission
so badly, Jim never knew what a client was really trying to show the coach.
Whenever Jim
digitized a client's video tape to put it online, he'd be required
to make several passes with the video codec program before Jim could finally
get the exact gesture, etc., to show up.
What a pain!
In the past, clients had two workaround options if they wanted to show
their split-second timing, :
1) video tape themselves, then snail mail/FedEx the tape and call up for
Jim's notes on their writing and performing while they were also viewing
a copy of their video tape on their end.
or:
2) spend over $3,000 flying Jim across the country, putting him up in
a hotel and feeding Jim for a week or longer; all this required weeks
of advanced planning. If illness or business conflicted, then:
a) the client's investment could be partially or totally lost.
b) Plus, really learning to be a world-class speaker or stand-up comic
takes 3 months to a full year.
Jim needed to be seeing what the client was actually doing on a weekly
basis.
c) Visiting them a few times was not a viable compromise.
Nuts!
The solution
Jim can
now see your split-second timing instantly.
Anywhere.
Any time.
Jaggy video caused by skipping frames is yesterday's news.
Back to top of page
Why
do I want to show Jim's a new bit right away?
A: Instant
feedback from an expert can save you time.
It takes literally 10 times longer to re-memorize a change in your act
or speech than it takes to memorize it in the first place.
Besides, do you want the bit to be just funny or do you want it to be
hysterical?
Back
to top of page
Q:
How does this new technology work?
A: Jim now has a super-fast Internet connection of 4-6MB/second!
FYI: that's beyond 12 times faster than a residential DSL at 128-384kbps
connection
and 4-6 times faster that a business T1 at 1MB/sec.
This means that Jim will now be able to offer you coaching at full-motion,
30 frames per second (fps) video wherever you are in the world.
...Jim will have access 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
Just thought up a hot new bit? Need a last minute appointment to
get Jim's instant feedback?
...No problem!
Back to top of page
Q:
What do I need on my end?
A: We can videoconference on even a 28-56K connection at up to 15
fps which is not bad considering that most web videos-on-demand are displayed
at 10-12 fps.
For most coaching needs, this works.
However, for full-motion video which is smooth like you see on TV, you
would need at least:
1) a 350kbps connection (most residential DSL lines can do this; "Symmetric
ADSL" can do 384kbps); at 4-6MB on Jim's end, Jim's got plenty of
headroom to receive all of whatever you can send via your flavor of broadband.
2) minimum system requirements: a desktop or notebook PC with 233 MHz
Pentium II processor, or the equivalent on the Macintosh platform, etc.
...Yes: you can be on a PC one day and a Mac the next day as Jim's software
solutions are "cross-platform".
3) a very inexpensive webcam connected via USB or FireWire.
Back to top of page
Q:
Why does Jim need 4-6MB/second?
A: Jim needs the extra overhead to make sure he gets all your signal.
Plus, some clients may have the ultimate in fast corporate, government
and entertainment industry connection speeds which Jim must match.
Remember, whatever presentation skills you want, "Comedy is a fast-lane
profession!"
Back to top of page
Q:
Can you help me find a workable broadband solution that doesn't cost a
mint?
A: If you are having trouble finding a viable broadband solution in
your area and/or deciding from a multitude of options, Jim can advise
and lead you to a solution costing half of what you may think you need
to pay for this crucial service.
Back to top of page
Q:
How can I show you a VHS video tape immediately after my presentation?
A: If you want to show Jim a short video tape section from a presentation
you made that night, an inexpensive adapter which goes between a VCR and
your online computer can send it to Jim over the Internet. Or you can
just point your webcam at a TV screen to instantly show Jim various segments,
etc.
Back to top of page
Q:
Does the webcam have to be on me throughout our appointment?
A:
We can turn the webcam part of videoconferencing on/off; no biggie.
Plus, you still get a free phone call and avoid those high International
phone rates.
You can use either:
1) a
webcam connecting to your PC via USB or
2) a camcorder connecting via FireWire.
If
you are in a shared bandwidth situation, Jim's can throttle the bandwidth
throughout your appointment; so, you only broadcast to Jim at the full
30fps when necessary.
Back to top of page
Q:
Can this also work for team-written sitcoms and keynote speeches?
A: We can do all those script writing and script conference calls
now via videoconferencing which can show all our faces and scripts at
the same time on everyone's computer screen.
Back to top of page
Q:
Is there an extra cost if I use more than one computer at work,
home, on the road, etc.?
A:
This coaching solution is all about perks and portability, for your nomadic
"anywhere-now" lifestyle.
For an angle on where all this is heading, please read this
Monday, 11-18-02 New York Times article (you have to register with nytimes.com
the first time you visit their site but you only have to register once
and it's free):
Free:
New York Times WiFi article
In fact, you
can do all our videoconference coaching appointments on someone else's
computer just as easily.
1) software you will need on your end will be provided free of charge
and installs automatically.
The number of computers you want to put the software on is irrelevant:
friend's PC, ones at work, ones you encounter on the road, etc.
It only takes a 1-5 minutes set up.
For free!
2) Jim's coaching fees remain the same whether or not you wish to use
the videoconferencing option; Jim can turn it on/off instantly at anytime
during a consultation.
3) In fact, with the videoconferencing option there are no long-distance
phone charges, either in the USA or Internationally.
...In short, this option is all perks for you.
If you are traveling with your laptop and webcam, you should be able to
have videoconference coaching appointments via the Internet connection
in most hotel rooms.
Back
to top of page
Q:
Can I see free examples of Jim's Home Study Program on the web right now?
Is it designed for people at all levels in their career?
A: Jim's home study programs have been available in audio tape/workbook
format for well over a decade, condensing his 187 lecture hours down to
1,200 pages of workbooks and 21 hours of audio tape.
Jim's materials have proven useful to comics and speakers from Beginning
through Advanced levels:
1) Some beginning comics have gotten stuck with the label "open miker"
for months or even years, then came to Jim and ended up getting work within
weeks and gone on to become headliners with careers.
2) Some folks have worked with Jim after first being in show business
or business speaking, slugging it out on their own for over 20 years.
The result of Jim's coaching and his help with their writing has meant
renewed career paths and mushrooming economic fortunes.
And these world-class
professional comics and speakers continue to blame Jim for their successes,
as you can see on the "Client Quote" web page.
In fact, the day this web page was initially published, Taylor Mason emailed
Jim at 8am, Monday, November 18, 2002:
"Jim - I really like your new stuff; looks like you're vital and
professional and prepared as ever.
Way to go! I am very impressed.
Taylor"
You can take
a peek at some of Jim's materials right now:
http://www.jimrichardson.com/study.shtml
Back
to top of page
Coaching & Co-Writing Your Act or Business Keynote Speechinformation
can be found at:
http://www.jimrichardson.com/coach.shtml
Back
to top of page
|
|