Webcast Production Explained
Before we can understand what webcast production is, we must first understand webcasts. Webcasts are media files, in other words, sound or video files that are distributed over the internet with streaming technology. Streaming technology means that the media file comes from a single source and is distributed to several recipients. Thus, the general concept webcast is similar to traditional radio and TV broadcasts, differing mostly in distribution and technology used.
Webcast production is the making of such webcasts. The specifics of the production can be very different depending on the form it takes. For example, live and recorded webcasts will entail different forms of webcast production, as it will for entertainment and for news.
Webcast production and production for traditional mediums like radio and TV have many similarities. For example, they are both made with specific intended audiences, and they both send ideas through video and audio. However, the reach of a webcast is much greater than most traditional broadcasts can achieve, and webcasts are much cheaper to distribute to the public. This is due to the nature and scale of the internet. For a webcasting production, the only big problem would be bandwidth allocation for whatever file one is trying to webcast.
Webcast production is well within the reach of amateurs and anyone with the proper equipment and an internet connection. Live webcasting has even allowed telecommuters to attend conferences and conventions from anywhere they wish. Hundreds of so-called internet radio stations are operating and internet TV series have been made. For reaching audiences throughout the world, and not just in specific geographical areas, there might not be a better means than webcasting. However, webcast production has one major limiting factor for a would-be user of streaming technology: bandwidth allocation. If a media file is streamed to too many users, the media file might be too slow or too choppy for the end audience to fully appreciate or enjoy, though some network protocols can alleviate theses issues with varying degrees of success. Knowing this, it is necessary for a webcaster to have an internet service provider that will provide the needed bandwidth. This equates to more costs. Though while acquiring additional bandwidth can be expensive, it is often cheaper than the way traditional media once increased their broadcasting area, which is to set up more radio and television transmitters. The comparatively lower cost of webcast production when compared to traditional TV and radio broadcast production in terms of distribution can allow groups and individuals of moderate means to have a truly global presence and influence. And this influence has already translated into money from advertisers helping support many a webcast production. Clearly, webcasts and webcast production might not entirely supplant traditional broadcasting mediums in the immediate future. What is known is that the full potential for webcasting and webcasting production has not been completely exploited yet. Interestingly enough, most of the innovation in webcast production comes not from the established media but from smaller, independent producers. Perhaps the prediction made by Andy Warhol of everyone in the future being famous for fifteen minutes might not be so far-fetched after all.
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