This article will allow you to understand the WorkCast studio when your event is configured to slides only
Default Studio View (Media Hub Pod Shown)
The arrow on the right-hand side (image below) is the side menu where additional pod options are available to add to your view of the studio.
User Information (Top right of the studio)
User information is displayed in the top right of the page showing your details, user type, and audio dial-in options.
NOTE: These details are event session-specific. The session pin and user pin will change for every new event created.
Pods/Tabs
The studio contains a number of different pods. Each pod can be expanded, minimized, or removed from the main section and returned to the sidebar menu where all your available pods are located. You also have the option of re-sizing all of the pods to display at your preferred size.
Media Hub
The Media Hub is the main presenting pod in the WorkCast studio. This is where your presenters connect to the event via phone dial-in or a soft microphone. You can also upload your PowerPoint (.pptx) presentation slides for live events and presenters can navigate and present the slides to your audience.
Live Stream - This pod isn't required during a live stream event so can be closed down. The Onsite Team would view the live stream via your web streaming technology or mixing technology that is onsite at the venue. To ensure the stream is coming through you would view the audience auditorium. For more information click here
My Connections Tab (Media Hub)
The My Connections tab allows you and your presenters to connect to the event via one of the options displayed in this tab. Depending on the presentation type configured in the initial event setup prior to you loading the WorkCast Studio, depends on the connection options available for you and your presenters.
Presenter Audio Connections (Slides Only)
Presenters are able to present using either microphone or phone bridge.
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- Phone - presenters can dial into the event via specified phone bridge details. This option is often used as a fall back as it does not rely on the user's own internet connection and also provides consistent audio (the presenter may not have a good quality microphone).
- Microphone only - a presenter is able to connect their microphone to speak during the event and also hear any other presenters on the event no matter what audio option they have chosen.
Session Content Tab (Media Hub)
Upload or choose your slides for the event and set the aspect ratio of the media. Slides can only be loaded if the session has not yet been started (start button pressed in the Present tab of the Media Hub).
Uploading slides to a session is a single-stage process; simply click Upload Slides, select your slides from your computer and they will be uploaded to the WorkCast platform. A 'loading' icon will display meaning the upload is taking place.
Adding slides already uploaded to the platform requires two steps:
1) Select Upload Slides to load your slides to the platform.
2) Click Search Slides and choose the relevant slides from your library. Your event slides will be replaced with your selection.
NOTE: Slide upload time can vary depending on the size of the pptx file you are uploading - this may take a few minutes. You should always upload your slides in advance of the event start time to ensure they upload successfully and you have checked the content.
For Simulive and On-Demand events, follow the same steps to upload your .mp4 video file. You will see media upload buttons rather than slides upload buttons.
Present Tab (Media Hub)
Start Button
The Start button will only appear for Producer and Host users, it loads and readies slides for broadcasting live events. The audio is also connected which can take up to a minute note: this will not broadcast the slides to attendees, this loads the slides ready for you and your presenters to view.
Once clicked, any other users logged into the studio, and viewing the Media Hub will see the start button displayed as/change to Join. They will need to click this to see the presentation slides.
If you have not uploaded any slides to your event and click the Start button you will get the option to either upload/attach your slides or use a WorkCast default slide deck. This default slide deck has a mixture of single full-width image slides and short generic video loops in case you wanted to do an audio-only event without uploading your own presentation slides.
The Audio Status light will display when slides have loaded showing that audio is connected to the studio. At this stage, you are able to test your audio by dialing into the phone bridge or soft mic (Headset) and ensuring you can hear yourself through the Media Hub slides window. This should be done prior to a broadcast to ensure that your sound is suitably clear. You should unmute the play controls in the video window to test your audio. If you have a video embedded into your slides you can also click the test Event Audio button to test media is active. When broadcasting ensure all phones or mics are on mute when testing audio otherwise you will get an echo that will be broadcast to the audience.
Broadcast Button
At the designated start time of your event, Producer and Host users can click Broadcast to begin streaming your content to your audience. A confirmation box will initially display to ensure you are ready to broadcast the event. When Proceed is clicked, a countdown will initiate and your broadcast will display in the event auditorium after the countdown is complete.
Please note we always recommend starting exactly or 30 seconds prior to your exact event start date/time. If you start the broadcast late your audience may begin to drop off and leave the event page.
Presenters are unable to initiate the Broadcast process. This should be done by the Host or Producer license holder. Presenters can however navigate through the slides once the broadcast has been initiated.
NOTE: The Broadcast start is also used as the start point of your event recording.
You will see a countdown pop up in your studio when there is 1 minute to go until your scheduled time. We would advise that everybody then fully mutes themselves, ready for the broadcast to be pressed at the start time.
Media window
The media window displays the current slide of your presentation.
Back and Forward Buttons
The backward and forwards buttons allow any presenter to move presentation slides forward and backward
NOTE: Each click will move to the next transition (much like viewing within PowerPoint) meaning, if animations are present within slides, the next animation will play.
The buttons will turn green when you first click on them to show they are active. When green, you are able to use the left and right keys on your keyboard to transition (a clicker can also be used).
When clicking elsewhere (e.g. presenter chat), the buttons will turn orange meaning they are deactivated. Click on the buttons again using your mouse to reactivate them.
Back to Start or Jump to
This will reset your slides and move to the first slide in your presentation. This can be useful when you want to show a title or cover page. Note when this happens you will see a short loading graphic as your slides re-set themselves.
Slide Counter
The counter displays which slide is currently active and how many slides are included within the presentation.
Stop
Pressing this will stop the event stream broadcast for all presenters and attendees. This is generally only used at the very end of an event. This will also end the event recording.
Presenters are unable to press Stop.
Slide Thumbnail Images
Once you have started your slides you will see static images of the presentation to the left. This shows the current slide and the next transition (what will display after the following slide is selected).
You can also use the thumbnail images to move to specific slides within the presentation.
Presenter Chat
Allows all presenters to communicate via text during the event. Presenter Chat is available for all studio users and is not visible to audience members.
Technical Log
This shows all activity that the WorkCast studio manages during an event. This is used by WorkCast Technical Support and you do not need to view this section.
Lock Slides
Locking the slides in your presentation allows only Hosts or Producers to control the slides. Slide transition buttons for Presenters will be deactivated.
Image Mode
This allows you to view a static image version of your presentation in the large play window rather than the live stream. Videos and timed transitions will not play in this view - the audience view will remain unchanged.
Please click back into the Running your event section to view other pages that include the other pods available within the WorkCast studio. This includes:
- Presenter Only Chat
- Event Polls
- Attendee Questions/Attendee Chat
- Event Interactions
If your event is configured to the below types also click back to find guides:
- Slides only Studio
- Simulive Studio
- Live Stream Studio (please note to run this style of event you required a licence add on to the Producer+ licence)