Tried and true best practices to ensure that you, as Host, get the best possible interview recordings from your guests. We'll walk you through tips and tricks for every stage of production.
Before the Recording
It's important to prepare your guests for recording on Roll without overwhelming them. New apps or technology can be scary, so we want to empower them with just enough info to get them to the first step. Once together on the call, we can handhold them through the rest of the setup together.
Here's some sample copy that we typically like to send Roll call guests ahead of our first call together:
A few pre-production notes in preparation for our session:
- Recording Device: Please bring an iPhone with the latest version of the Roll app installed (Download here or search Roll AI on the App Store)
- Stand/Mount: If possible, please bring a stand or have a place where you can stabilize your phone at eye-level for recording
- Lighting: Video quality is directly proportional to good lighting :) If possible, find a recording location where you are able to sit in front of a window with natural light. Or have additional lights/lamps you can turn on in your recording room.
Alternatively, if you feel it's too much to ask your guests to download an app ahead of time, you can remove that first line and simply do that together on the call.
Pre-Production Tech Check
If possible, we highly recommend getting on a call with your guest a day or two ahead of the final recording, so you can check their audio and video setup. The dedicated time will allow you all to ensure everything is working correctly, without having to worry about context-swtiching between tech checks and the actual recorded interview.
Recommended Steps
Have your guest join you in a separate Zoom or Meet meeting on the computer
Once together on a virtual call, share your Roll meeting link with them
Your Instructions to Your Guest
Open the Roll meeting link in a Chrome browser on their computer (make sure its not in incognito mode)
Login with a Google account
Grant camera and mic permissions to the Roll app
Join the call
Your guest is now ready to record from their laptop webcam!
To Record with iPhones
Download the Roll app on your iPhone or Android
iPhone: scan the QR code in the WebApp, or search "roll ai" in the Apple App Store
Android: download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roll.androidProd
On the phone app, make sure to login with the same login that you used on your Chrome browser on your computer
Once logged in and all permissions granted, your guest should see a big yellow "Join" button pop up on their mobile app
Click Join - you will automatically see your video now streaming in your computer web call
Troubleshooting Tips
If you don't see your guest's video and audio showing up in the Web Call, make sure they have granted permissions to the Roll app in Chrome
In the Chrome browser, in the URL bar, click the camera icon next to the URL to reveal camera and mic permission settings. Ensure those are both toggled on.
If your user doesn't see the "Join" button automatically pop-up in their mobile app, make sure they are logged in with the same account on both their Chrome web call and in their mobile app
After ensuring both web and mobile apps are logged into the same Google account, have teh user try killing the Roll mobile app and restarting. Once you kill and reopen the Roll app, it should automatically detect the ongoing web call, and show the Join button.
Any further questions? Feel free to reach out at [email protected], or message us directly from the webapp - go to app.roll.ai in any Chrome browser, and click the chat button in the bottom right corner of the page.