Our forthcoming book This Is What Streams Are Made Of is a comprehensive guide on how to make engaging live programmes. Dougal is still working on it but it will be available later this year.
Make sure you are the first to know about it by signing up to the waiting list below. You’ll also be eligible for some special offers and bonus gifts.
Here’s an extract from the introduction
Greer Cameron is excited. She’s played the highland bagpipes since she was nine-years-old. Growing up in Seattle, she dreams of going to Scotland to take part in some of the piping competitions she’s been watching online over the past 12 years. Her number one ambition is to play in the Glenfiddich Piping Championship, the most revered invitational piping competition in the world. But today she is content with watching the event online.
Morag, a young piper from Scotland, is playing a warm up on stage and chatting with Greer and some other fans online.
- “Hey Glasgow! Can you hear me alright over there? Slainte mhath from Seattle!”
- “Halifax, Nova Scotia, welcome in! How’s the east coast treating ya? Anyone else love the ocean air like me?”
- “Kia ora, Dunedin! So cool to have you tuning in from New Zealand. What time is it down there? Feels like I’m playing for the whole world today!”
- “Greetings from Seattle to Bulawayo! So amazing to connect across so many time zones. Hope the pipes are sounding good on your end!”
- “To everyone asking, this is my great-grandad’s old pipe. It’s been around the block a few times, just like me!”
- “Loving all the requests! Keep ’em coming. Any special shout-outs you want me to give? Let me know in the chat!”
- “Wow, someone in Dunedin says they can hear the birds chirping along with the pipes! That’s so cool! Nature’s own backing track.”
- “For everyone asking about the kilt, it’s a family tartan. Proud to wear it!”
- “Thanks for all the love from Halifax! Makes the jet lag worth it… even though I’m not there right now. Virtual hugs to everyone!”
- “Bulawayo, you guys are awesome! Really appreciate you joining. Any traditional music you’d like me to look into for next time? Suggestions welcome!”
A group of friends from her pipe band have gathered at Greer’s house to watch the live stream of the competition in HD on her 65” TV. It’s the next best thing to being there. Watching the live coverage they make a pact: next year they are going to go to Blair Castle, sit in the great hall and hear the best pipers in the world play the marches, Strathspeys and reels they have been practising for years. While watching the live stream, Greer goes to the National Piping Centre’s website and buys tickets for next year. She also buys a new set of reeds and a toy duck in a kilt because, well, why not?
Live streaming connects people. With the right approach, this accessible, low-cost technology can be used to make captivating live programmes that bring your audience closer. This book will teach you how.