03-20-2020, 03:17 PM
Thanks for the tips. Working from home is new to me. I already miss the casual interaction with my colleagues - I could do with a joke and a laugh right now and I imagine others feel the same. Anyone else missing their colleagues?
There is a definite strain on internet connectivity - mobile internet just wasn't working in the big cities. Home internet is ok, but feels a bit slower than normal. I won't put more strain on it by speed testing it. There is still enough bandwidth for Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It is mostly fast enough for work.
My job involves public speaking so I am being asked to make videos instead. Their technical demands are really high - like it needs to be high definition 1080p, lit properly, and with good audio. It is almost like they expect staff to have a small TV studio in their home! It is very odd doing the talks without an audience. I am a very interactive public speaker and normally do an hour of speaking without notes. I can sort of feel whether I'm bringing the audience with me or if I've lost them, but that only works live and not when recorded.
I'd normally rely on humour or irony to make it more entertaining, but that's a very social thing - it happens with a live audience but feels awkward in front of a camera. Also, and this will sound silly, before my current career I trained in acting and have been in a few movies and TV shows. It was absolutely drilled into us as students never to look at the lens of the camera. Now I'm being asked to do a different type of performance where I should be looking down the lens. I guess old habits are hard to break!
The other thing is I suddenly had to worry about what was in the background! I couldn't have it looking messy or use my bedroom, so I'm moving things around in the house to have a more dedicated work area.
Orange Rabbit - thanks for the tips. I agree totally about preparing yourself as though you are going to work and taking breaks/walks.
There is a definite strain on internet connectivity - mobile internet just wasn't working in the big cities. Home internet is ok, but feels a bit slower than normal. I won't put more strain on it by speed testing it. There is still enough bandwidth for Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It is mostly fast enough for work.
My job involves public speaking so I am being asked to make videos instead. Their technical demands are really high - like it needs to be high definition 1080p, lit properly, and with good audio. It is almost like they expect staff to have a small TV studio in their home! It is very odd doing the talks without an audience. I am a very interactive public speaker and normally do an hour of speaking without notes. I can sort of feel whether I'm bringing the audience with me or if I've lost them, but that only works live and not when recorded.
I'd normally rely on humour or irony to make it more entertaining, but that's a very social thing - it happens with a live audience but feels awkward in front of a camera. Also, and this will sound silly, before my current career I trained in acting and have been in a few movies and TV shows. It was absolutely drilled into us as students never to look at the lens of the camera. Now I'm being asked to do a different type of performance where I should be looking down the lens. I guess old habits are hard to break!
The other thing is I suddenly had to worry about what was in the background! I couldn't have it looking messy or use my bedroom, so I'm moving things around in the house to have a more dedicated work area.
Orange Rabbit - thanks for the tips. I agree totally about preparing yourself as though you are going to work and taking breaks/walks.