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Setting up Speaker Backstage
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Backstage allows you to create and manage professional live streams directly within Swapcard, removing the need for third-party streaming software. Using our advanced HD low-latency RTMP protocol, organizers can invite speakers to sessions, select who takes the stage, and manage the flow of live broadcasts. Up to 99 speakers can be invited, with 16 speakers able to share the stage simultaneously.

Benefits:

  • No need for external streaming apps

  • Real-time control over who appears on stage

  • Supports screen sharing and speaker management features

  • Full integration with Swapcard for seamless speaker and moderator participation

How to set up Speaker Backstage

1. Create a Session

  • In the Studio, go to Content → Session to create a new Session.

  • Select start and end date of the session

  • Select format & video as Swapcard Backstage

2. Add a moderator to your stage

A unique Moderator can be assigned to the Backstage Session. By default, the session creator is designated as the Moderator and can invite speakers. However, the Backstage Moderator role can be reassigned by others, allowing anyone with access to the Session settings to update the Moderator.

  • Enter the session

  • In Format & Video, select a moderator in the Video tab.

3. Add the speakers to Backstage

To enrich the streams, Backstage allows users to share moderator and participant screens.

Speakers can then join to start participating in an event app session.

To add speakers :

  • Enter the session

  • In Speakers, select speakers using the search bar.


How can Speakers and Moderators join Speaker Backstage

There are two ways that Speakers and Moderators can easily join the Speaker Backstage.

  1. Via an invite link that is sent manually by the Organizer to the Speaker(s) and Moderator(s)

  1. By opening the Event App and navigating to the Session they have been assigned to.

    • Once in the Session, invited Speakers should see a button prompting them to join the Stage.

    • Clicking on the Join Backstage button will redirect to the Speakers and Moderators, with the option of selecting their hardware while in the Waiting Room or when in the stream.

    • They can also toggle mute or unmute and turn the camera on or off. Moderators can decide who takes the center stage and who is on the stream by simply toggling the user switch to on.

    • A default layout template will be available for now, and different ones will be available at later dates. The option to go live or end a stream on the event app is also for the moderators to decide by simply clicking the “Go live” button in Backstage. There is no need to be present in Studio.

If Moderators wish to have control of ramp credentials, stream data, and so on, they can continue using all of the existing features in Studio for RTMP. Both Speaker and Moderator versions are accessible at any time from mobile and web app Backstage.


How to use Backstage

How to select hardware

Speakers and Moderators alike have the option to select hardware while in the Waiting Room or when in the Live Stream. They can also toggle mute or unmute and turn the camera on or off. Moderators can decide who takes the center Stage and who is on the stream by simply toggling the user switch to on.

How to screen share

Both Moderators and Speakers, can share their screens with Backstage, using the button highlighted below:

Screen_Shot_2023-03-07_at_17.41.41.png

While a Speaker is sharing their screen, the Moderator has the ability (no one else has it) to invite the Speaker who is currently sharing their screen onto the main Stage.

How to display the Speaker's name

You have the option to display or hide speaker names on the Backstage thumbnails. This means that event organizers now have the option to choose whether they want the speaker names to be visible on the thumbnails or not.

To access this feature, simply access the Backstage of your session from the Studio or the session page and click on the "Settings" option in the right panel. You will now see a toggle button next to the "Display speaker names" option. By default, this toggle is turned on, which means that speaker names will be displayed on the session video thumbnails. However, if you prefer a cleaner view, you can simply toggle it off, and the speaker names will be hidden.


Speaker Backstage provides organizers and moderators with full control over live-streamed sessions within Swapcard. With easy speaker management, screen sharing, and real-time production features, Backstage is an ideal solution for professional event broadcasting.

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