At this moment, a group of no less than 70 volunteers is putting together the last preparations for the 30th of November. Although no man is indispensable, special attention should go to those guys that facilitate our complicated tech setup during the event.
Marck Feller believes in the possibilities of web-based video, and for that reason started his company Feller Media in 2001. Feller Media will have 30 people running a multi camera-set and three camera-teams during TEDxAmsterdam, to cover the event from a 360 degree angle. TEDxAmsterdam is a perfect project for Feller Media, because it touches upon all of the aspects of a web-based video-experience. The day requires not only on-demand editing of TED talks, both for the live-stream and press, but also mini-documentaries reporting on backstage happenings and interviews with speakers. It is a challenging mix between making news whilst documenting for the long-term, running a live-stream and simultaneously providing written content for prominent social media outlets where necessary. Both Sanoma Publishers and Achmea support Feller Media in executing this multi-faceted production on the TEDxAmsterdam web-based video channel. Pretty much everything that is possible in the realm of web-based video, is done at TEDxAmsterdam. Because the productions are also broadcasted through the tedxamsterdam website, the content is easily accessible to a large group of people around the world. Marnix Kaart, TV director for i.e. Zomergasten and Uitmarkt, takes on the director’s job for the day. He is the Dutch specialist in multi camera- and studio-recordings. Marck compares reporting at TEDxAmsterdam to the broadcasting of an enormous sports event, such as the Olympics – hunting for every interesting bit to suit one of the numerous web-based channels managed at the same time.
Xander Kranenburg runs Live Solutions, a company that supports event production, including conferences, seminars and of course, TEDxAmsterdam. Live Solutions connects all parties involved in the organization of TEDxAmsterdam, ranging from technology, logistics, broadcasting, location, stage props and catering. Anything that is to be produced or created during the 30th of November will eventually come be dealt with in Xander’s fine-tuned schedule. He is focused on a specific 48 hours, the 29th and the 30th of November. Those are the days that will prove his and his team’s skill in managing complexity. Live Solutions also managed the production of TEDxAmsterdam 2009, and their experience makes them work through the planning step-by-step, but still, it’s about a thousand steps to take with so many parties involved and a constant stream of emails with requests that seem impossible to fulfill. But, Xander feels that cooperating with so many passionate people on one project makes everything possible. On the day itself Xander is in direct contact with Monique Winkel, stage director, Beams Systems, who control the projections on screen, Marck Feller, the broadcaster, and Rogier van der Heijden, TEDxAmsterdam 2010 speaker and light designer. Apart from that, the coordination of volunteers and the food and beverage are also Xander’s responsibility. He is the guy with a complete overview of everything that will physically take place in the Stadsschouwburg.
Albert-Jan Tebbe literally spreads ideas, because he is responsible for all simulcasts taking place on the 30th of November. Together with Feller Media, Hoens Broadcast Facilities, NOS and Surfnet, TEDxAmsterdam provides high resolution video streams to a number of locations. Some of these events also have additional speakers and live performances. Some are open to the public, and some are for specific groups or organizations. So far at least 40 simulcast are planned, varying from educational institutions, to private companies and special locations such as the Maastoren in Rotterdam and maybe even a tour boat along the Amsterdam canals. The set up and organization of such a great number of locations requires organization skill. Connecting all participating parties and a bit of technological insight is what it takes. Albert-Jan makes sure that on the day itself, many more people than those attending TEDxAmsterdam in the Stadsschouwburg are able to experience the energy and excitement taking place, by creating it themselves.
We thank them all, it’s great to work with such capable experts!
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