Quality livestreaming on the fly and on the cheap

My journalism degree is in both radio-TV and print but after graduation I quickly opted for the latter because I felt like I had a voice and personality better suited for newspapers. I still feel that way, but that didn't stop me from going out on a ledge and hosting a Bakersfield Californian experiment in live-streaming from Rabobank Arena on Sunday.

To mark the regular season home opener for the Bakersfield Condors, I hosted a series of live interviews with Condors management and fans, and Californian hockey beat writer Mike Griffith. We started streamling live via Ustream at 3:30 p.m. and wrapped up shortly before gametime at 5 p.m. 

The Californian has been doing a ton of live-streaming recently but this was our first webcast that involved a string of guests in a remote environment, expanded production techniques and a novice host. The three-camera set was part of a mobile "TV studio" that Louis Amestoy, The Californian's digital convergence editor, put together to enable us to produce TV-quality broadcasts from remote locations. And yes, the total package -- three HD videocameras, Mac laptop, lights, tripods, mikes, switching software, rolling cases and more -- cost less than $10,000. 

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'BVarsity Live' adds new twist to local prep coverage

The Californian recently launched "B Varsity Live," a multi-platform approach to covering the hectic Kern County high school football scene. 

The Friday night show is hosted by Louis Amestoy and produced and directed by our multimedia intern, Christopher McCullah. Sportsriter Zach Ewing is also front and center, delivering expert analysis on the night's games and developments. 

The "BVarsity Live" show streams live via a Ustream player in various sections on BakersfieldCalifornian.com beginning at 11 p.m. Fridays. The plan is to stream for an hour, but this most recent show stretched about 10 minutes beyond that to include discussions and video of non-football sports and to take calls from viewers. 

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Talking doping, whales and concussions on 'Californian Radio'

I co-hosted today's "Californian Radio" with Louis Amestoy, The Californian's digital convergence manager. 

Our topics included Lance Armstrong and performance-enhancing drugs, whale sightings on the Central Coast, chatting with a California Interscholastic Association representative about a new state law requiring training in concussion awareness, and new approaches The Californian is taking to cover prep sports this fall. 

It's a fast-paced show, so give it a spin. 

(The audio podcast version is here).