VideoConferencing with a Director

by Dave Michels

On October 15, 1951, television broadcast history was made when the first episode of “I Love Lucy” aired on CBS. The event is noteworthy because it was the first time multiple cameras were used to film a television show before a live audience. This was a task that many believed to be impossible as different lighting requirements were needed for various types of shots. It is multiple cameras that make broadcast television more natural than video conferences. This doesn’t happen in my group video conferences. When the active speaker changes, I either move my eyes on a panned-out picture of small talking heads or I remotely control the camera to the active speaker through a clumsy process that causes seasickness. In an era of self-driving cars, drones, and self-checkout stands – why can’t we automate what DesiLu did 62 years ago?