IMAG Video vs Archival Recording

As a special event producer, you may occasionally find yourself needing video production as a component of your event. This is especially true if you produce trade shows or corporate events like stockholder annual meetings. The two most common forms of video production you’ll need for these corporate events are archival recording and IMAG video.

These are two very distinctly different video formats. Working with a full-service technical event production company can help you to understand the differences, as well as provide you with complete production services, no matter your needs. Gaining a basic understanding of each of these video formats can help you to better communicate your needs, as well as help you to understand your options. Let’s look at the major differences between IMAG video vs. archival recording for a typical corporate event production.

What is Archival Video Recording?

Creating a video archival recording of an event is a very basic process. Archival recordings can be used as training tools, a video record of an event or a means to document a specific speaking engagement.

As a general rule, depending on the venue rules, archival recording are for private use and may not be disseminated to the public. Generally, they are created to document an event for a client’s in-house purposes.

An archival record is most typically a single camera shoot, sometimes using an unmanned stationary camera and ambient audio. Because of the recording method an archival recording is normally not edited with any other camera footage.

What Is IMAG Video?

IMAG video is a specific technique that is used at trade shows, speaker’s symposia (think T.E.D. talks), corporate events (i.e. in the hotel and meeting industry) and in live music or theatre performances. IMAG stands for Image MAGnification.

Whenever you go to an event and see a speaker (or artist) onstage with a video screen providing an exact image of that person, it’s an IMAG video. The purpose of IMAG is to magnify the person’s image and other presentational elements so people farther from the stage can easily and clearly see the presentation.

While IMAG can use a single camera in some instances, it often involves a multi-camera shoot with live operators, and a director calling the shots. As a result, the production will use a mix of different camera shots and angles, creating a live, “produced” video.

The sound is professionally supported by an audio engineer and is typically fed into both a recording console as well as the house PA for immediate broadcast in the hall. Since IMAG video uses broadcast quality video shot on multiple cameras and produces sound, it can be edited and cut.

In the case of a multi camera shoot, the image on the screen isn’t always a zoomed in shot of the speaker. It’s the director’s job to determine what shots are needed and relevant to the presentation. This is often because the same live feed may be streamed to the web, or archived for documentation purposes.

As a result, there will need to be a combination of wide-angle shots, audience shots, close-ups of products, PowerPoint slides, graphics and more. The director will blend all of these elements to create the video being broadcast live on large monitors in the hall.

The only criteria that makes it an IMAG video is that at least one camera is manned and used to shoot the person on stage making the presentation along with any additional video playback and slides.

IMAG Video or Archival Recording: Which is Right For You?

Both formats have uses and benefits depending upon your needs and your event. Corporate events often need to be recorded for the record (i.e. for stockholder meetings, board meetings and even legal depositions).

Archival recording allows you to have a video record of your event if it is ever needed again in the future. Archival recording can be beneficial for regulatory compliance purposes as well as providing a visual history of an event or meeting.

IMAG video can be a tremendous boost to any event. There is a strong relationship between the viewer and your presenter. If you are producing a trade show, speaker conference or other large corporate event, IMAG can offer each attendee the chance to easily and comfortably see the person speaking.

It makes your event more powerful and meaningful for your guests. Face-to-Face meetings always work better than teleconferences. IMAG gives your event an unique element and can draw attendees into a talk in ways that simple video, or other forms of video production, cannot.

Work With A Full-Service Technical Event Production Company!

As a special events producer, you have a full plate when it comes to the details of creating and executing a production. When it comes to video production, it requires specialized equipment, expertise and experience to produce a professional quality video. Unless you have the knowledge and resources, the best solution is to work with a professional team.

A full-service technical event production company can work with you to help define your needs, allocate your budget, rent you the equipment and build an in-house team of dedicated professionals to operate the equipment during your event. Including setting up the gear beforehand and tearing it down when it’s over.

BML-Blackbird has been providing full-service technical event production support to event producers in New York and New Jersey for over four decades. We will work with you to determine your needs and handle all of the technical aspects of your event from equipment rental to providing and experienced team of technicians.

Whether it’s a simple archival recording system installed in your corporate conference room or a full-blown IMAG production, we can add an element of magic to your event that will have your guests talking about it months after it’s over.

If you’re planning an event and would like to learn more about BML-Blackbird, the services we provide and our team, feel free to give us a call! We’re always more than happy to answer any questions you might have and can help you produce your event whether it’s a small intimate wedding for 100 friends and family or a trade show with thousands of audience members!