We’ve put another episode up on the Presentation Channel, on how to work with wide screen graphics.

You haven’t been able to buy a TV that isn’t wide screen since 2006. Yet the default setting for every screen graphics program is the old 4:3 TV format, like you’re watching it at your grandparents’ house.

This means that if your images are being stretched across  a wide format plasma or LCD screen, your logo is distorted and people have unappealing melon-shaped heads.

Learn the secrets of wide screen in 3 minutes with no reading here:

There’s a new episode up on our Presentation Channel now, all about presentation sound. Learn all about the powerful subconscious effect that sound has on your message.

Regular viewers may ask:

“Thanks for the educational material, but what about the whimsical adventures of Scene Change and Big AV?”

Regrettably, we took a good hard look at the last two episodes of series one, and decided they were just pushing it a bit too far. Even by our permissive standards.

If you ask your local Scene Change person nicely, maybe they can show you on their laptop, in the privacy of a locked room.

Will they be back? Never say never.

Many of the element that make major events so appealing - all the bright, colorful electric things - also chew through major amounts of power. It can all add up to a substantial carbon hangover the morning after.

There are ways to reduce the environmental impact of your events and presentations. And here’s the latest episode of the Presentation Channel to show you how.

Bravo to Scene Change Sydney’s Vicken, Kris and Kim for stepping in front of the camera. They’ve all spent many years hiding in the dark at the back of the room, pushing buttons and making others look good. It’s one thing to speak up, it’s another to do it surrounded by crew, lights and interfering marketing people. Good onya!

Used properly, audiovisual technology adds an entire new dimension to your presentation. It brings your message to life, and helps it live on in their minds after the words have faded.

It’s called support for a good reason. It’s not a substitute for a good speech, and it shouldn’t overshadow your connection with the audience. Sometimes you see presenters pushed out of the way by enormous screens, which makes them look like a movie theatre usher rather than the star of the show.

In the latest episode of the Presentation Channel, we look at how to put the focus on you, the speaker, by how you arrange the stage, where you stand, and how you use your speaker support.

It costs no more to do it the right way, and it can transform your ability to hold their attention.

Embeddable video here.