Virtual Set Adds Flexibility, Efficiency--and Fun--to WesCorp's Studio Operation

SAN DIMAS, Calif. -- Television weathermen have long used the "green screen" to display the graphics they use to illustrate their on-air forecasts.

The same technology is now available from WesCorp's Overland Studios operation, which has launched what it calls a "virtual studio."

One of the first users was the corporate itself (www.wescorp.org) and its chief economic forecaster Dwight Johnston. Johnston's most recent Webcasts have featured him discussing the economy with a screen of Bloomberg quotes behind him, a video projection he's controlling from a laptop computer while he speaks.

Using virtual tools allows the three-man Overland Studios operation to change sets by computer, using a sparse physical setup that includes three cameras with teleprompters on tripods, eight lights and a couple chairs.

The new system actually cuts the cost of a set by three-fourths and allows Overland Studios to create a visual presentation customized to the client, the corporate said.

"They can send us a picture of their building or a video of an event they held, and we can use it as the background," said Walter Laskos, WesCorp director of public relations.

"Then they have a presentation that has their specific look and feel, and they don't have to buy any additional props or backgrounds," he said.

The efficiencies extend to the small staff. Joe Keller, WesCorp's director of Web technology, heads the three-person Overland Studios team and said the virtual studio helps "keep us from running ourselves ragged" as the operation's external business ramps up.

It's also good, clean fun.

"We've had a blast creating different sets," Keller said, "and we've had a little but of fun with it. For instance, one of the staff put a big stuffed bear behind the set and made it look like it was eating me on camera. And we had a Chinese delegation visit us for a tour who really enjoyed taking pictures of our screen with the American flag waving behind them."

Repeat, paying clients so far include WesPay, the California Credit Union League and the New Jersey Credit Union League. (Overland Studios' offerings also include small local television and radio commercials and podcasts.)

The NJCUL currently has on its Web site (www.njcul.org) a Webcast with league leaders describing a proposed board restructuring that will be presented for a vote at a league meeting in September.

"I'm told that in years past, the credit unions in New Jersey felt they were not told enough what's going on with their league," said

Paul Gentile, the NJCUL's president/CEO. "What better way could there be to let them know what's going on than sitting directly in front of them and telling them?"

Overland Studios came to Gentile's office and shot the video "and did a phenomenal job," Gentile said. "They made my office look like a studio. It was very professional and impressive."

The league has about 170 members and on the first day the video was posted it was downloaded 172 times, Gentile said. The outreach effort also included sending a CD of the Webcast to each league member.

Gentile said the NJCUL is talking with Overland Studios about a potential partnership to do more studio work in New Jersey, adding cost efficiencies to the mix.

"There is a cost to it, having the crew come across the country to work here, but with multiple studios, there'll be less traveling and some economies of scale which will help bring the costs down," Gentile said.

"Either way, it's very much worth it to us, and I'd do it again tomorrow."

--mrapport@cutimes.com