Host a Watch Party

 

Thank you for your interest in hosting a Watch Party to commemorate the 150th anniversary of emancipation. This guide will provide steps to follow prior to, during, and after the live streamed event.

Emancipation Event Watch Party Instructions

September 17^th, 2012

1. Register your watch party
Visit http://emancipation.neh.gov/live/register and fill out the Live Stream Watch Party form. This form helps the NEH keep track of all its participants, while also featuring your event on our live map of Watch Parties. While registration is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged.
2. Locate a room for your event
Unless you plan on tuning in the live stream event from home, chances are you will need to reserve a room at your local community center, library, or school. You should plan on reserving a room at least 2 weeks prior to the event that can hold the maximum number of people you expect to attend. When you reserve your room, please remember that the live stream will run for one hour (from 1:30pm ET to 2:30pm ET).
3. Get Audio/Visual Equipment for Large Audiences
If you are hosting a Watch Party for 5 or more viewers, we suggest you either connect your computer/laptop to a TV, large monitor, or projector with external speakers. For instructions on how to connect these devices, refer to the “Connection Guide” section of this page.
4. Familiarize yourself with the Emancipation website
There are many resources available to you on our website. Look over the EDSITEment! lesson plans to see which one fits your audience. You may also want to bookmark http://emancipation.neh.gov/live on your internet browser for easy access to the live stream video player.
5. Invite friends, family, students, and colleagues
Invite all of your friends, family, students, and colleagues to your Watch Party at least 2 weeks in advance of the actual event to give you ample time to prepare. Send a reminder email to your contacts a day before the event.
6. Prepare a list of discussion questions
We encourage you to develop your own set of discussion questions and cater them to your audience. You can invite your audience members to submit questions during the live stream to the expert panel by emailing the questions to emancipation@neh.gov or submitting them via twitter to @NEHemancipation.
7. Share your feedback
We would love to know how your Watch Party went! Send us an email at emancipation@neh.gov with any feedback and advice you may have for future events.

 

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Emancipation Event Watch Party: CONNECTION GUIDE

September 17^th, 2012

1. Gather all Audio/Visual materials
Gather your Audio/Visual materials at least one week prior to the Watch Party. Materials needed are:
- Internet accessible computer or laptop
- Projector, TV, or monitor (depending on your availability and the anticipated number of people who will attend your Watch Party)
- External speakers with a 3.5mm mini jack stereo cord in order to connect speakers to computer or laptop
- White sheet, screen, or plain white wall for projector
2. Check your internet connection
Check to make sure your internet connection is working properly. High speed internet (Cable, FIOS, or DSL) connection is required in order to view the live feed.
3. Connect your Video devices
If you are using an external monitor, projector or an HDTV, attach your projector to these devices by connecting the VGA cable from monitor, projector, or TV to the VGA port of the computer.
*Note: Some computers/laptops may require DVI to VGA converters. Please make sure you are aware of your specific computer to projector or TV requirements a week prior to your Watch Party.
4. Connect your Audio devices
Connect your external speakers to your computer’s audio output port and make sure the volume level is high enough for your guests.
5. Test your materials prior to Live Stream
Try connecting your devices a day prior to the Live Stream in order to ensure that you have all the compatible peripherals for your needs.
6. Connect to http://emancipation.neh.gov/live at 1:25PM ET