A/V and room requirements for Neal Petersen

 Lavaliere / Countryman Microphone
A wireless lavaliere microphone is needed. Countryman system preferred.

Microphone for Introduction
The person who introduces Neal will need a separate microphone.

Platform
Please provide an elevated stage and adequate lighting so the audience can see Neal clearly. He needs a minimum of 12 feet in stage length and 6 feet in depth, with the stairs centerstage. There must be no arms on the stairs as Neal will enter the audience during keynote. If venue insists that they can only provide stairs with railings, platform height should not exceed 12 inches and no stairs will be used in that case.

Equipment on Platform
Neal will need a small table on the platform, chest high (high boy) to hold his treasure chest with a cream or ivory colored linen drape and a sturdy chair with no sides that he can stand on briefly. Please provide two bottles of water at room temperature placed on the stage for easy access.

Show Computer with audio
The client will provide a computer capable of running Microsoft PowerPoint as Neal will bring his presentation on a thumb drive. The computer must integrate with the video projection system, and plug into the audio system. The person introducing Neal will show a 90-second video. Neal shows a second video during his presentation which is four minutes in length. Make sure the computer is plugged into the house system and is clearly audible. An operator for the A/V equipment is required.

Screen
Please make sure the screen is large enough for everyone in the audience to see. If you do not have rear projection, please place the screen off to the side of the stage so the projector does not block the view of the audience. Another option (for groups no larger than 150) is to place two large televisions on either side of the stage.

Lighting
While the two videos are shown, the house lights need to be dimmed. Please have lighting controls at the tech desk and if not, someone to operate the lights to pre-determined levels. Please ensure that Neal is properly lit on the stage, without washing out the video screens. If necessary, use a separate lighting tree for the stage. Also, when possible and optional, in conjunction with the “thunder” audio clip, we use strobe lighting to create the effect of lightening.

Audience Seating
Neal requests that the audience be seated as close to the stage as possible with no empty seats in first row. Theater style seating is preferred, with a center isle. Any format is fine provided there is a center row so Neal can access the audience from stage center. If Neal is speaking following a meal, please make sure that the servers are not picking up dishes or pouring coffee during his presentation. This can be distracting for the audience.

Fog Machine
In large productions, creating fog on the platform for special effects is optional. Should we use this, the F-150 or two F-100 fog machines are desired. Client / production company will need to obtain the fog machines and the necessary permissions for the show and rehearsal to use this. A fire marshal may need to be present during rehearsal and show.

Imag shows
When doing Imag shows, three areas in the audience need to be lit for when Neal leaves the stage area. This will be decided during rehearsal and discussed on conference call. Please inform Neal’s office as soon as you know that this will be an Imag show, so that additional planning can be done. For Imag shows, rehearsal will require all show staff on headsets. Plan on an hour to get them up to speed. Images will need to be loaded prior to rehearsal so as to not take up rehearsal time.

A Conference Call is requested with main person responsible for overall AV prior to the event to go over the technical side of the keynote. Typically this is done two weeks before the show date based on all parties’ availability.

Rehearsal
Everybody involved in producing and executing Neal’s show needs to be at rehearsal, which includes camera operators for Imag shows. Please make sure only those needed for rehearsal or invited attend. At least one hour should be allotted for rehearsal. Rehearsal needs to be done well enough in advance to remedy any problems encountered. Please plan accordingly so that guests do not arrive during Neal’s rehearsal – doors should remain closed. Neal would like an opportunity to briefly meet the person who will be introducing him  prior to the introduction; rehearsal is a good option.

Meeting Professionals
Please communicate with our office whether or not Imag will be used. We also need to know if we will be using fog, thunder and lightning, Neal’s preferred show.

Questions?
If you have questions regarding Neal’s audio-video needs or room set-up, please contact our office prior to the show.