Classes recorded for later download?

[leolson79]

Hey, y'all.

 

I'm guessing this question has been answered somewhere before, but given the choice between frantically trying to finish a figure for the painting showcase and digging through the forums... well, here I am.

 

Will the classes be recorded for download later by participants?  While this would be helpful to be able to go back and review stuff later, I ask mostly because I'll be at work while most of the classes I'm interested in will be going on, which will make participating live rather difficult.  I totally get why they wouldn't be recorded, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

Thanks!

[SamuraiJack]

All of the classes on Twitch will be available.  Zoom classes will depend on what the instructor wants.

[OneBoot]

I've been told that none of the Zoom classes will be recorded. All of the Twitch ones will be, though.

 

Huzzah!

--OneBoot :D

[Dicey]

I've heard the same as @OneBoot.

 

Anne talked about it on one of her painting streams on Reaper's Twitch. Can't remember each episode. Many of these painting instructors rely on classes like this, which they put time and effort into creating, to make money. Some even offer classes at cost via other platforms, locations, or in person during different times. They are doing these classes for free for Reaper, but I can understand why some wouldn't want a course that they've designed "out there" for free forever. It might dilute their own course offerings in the future. Why would someone pay for something if it's out there for free? So, while Reaper did initially want to make them all available, they came to a different compromise after talking to the artists. Those that are doing classes on Twitch know and understand that the material will be available later. I've heard Mocha's "Painting with all the colors of the skin" class on Twitch is just a small part of her usual "Multicultural Skintones" class. 

 

I completely understand the reasons for this, even if it does mean that I have to be watching live for every class and can't go back and review them later. The artists who take the time to put on these classes are the core of ReaperCon. Without them and their willingness to do things like this, ReaperCon wouldn't be what it is. So, if it's important to them that the classes aren't recorded for one reason or another, I'm okay with that.

[Dr Bob]

I see this RCO as the prototype/experimental stage for what will eventually continue to come out of the Reaper online evolution. What I see happening (or at least hope will happen) is that the RCO free classes could be recorded and/or the instructors will be able to have ownership of that collateral; resale or paid access to it for those who need/want it. As Dicey and others have pointed out, many of the instructors and artists have their own pay feed sites already that they use as sources of revenue. I think its wholly plausible that the RCO content get recorded and distributed through those channels, at the discretion of the artists. Further, I see that the RCO classes are totally compatible with the paid "in person" model; you get more direct one-on-one interaction in person--for a price. That access was always  very restrictive in both location and quantity; you have to be there, and there were never enough chairs in the classes for everyone that wanted the content. Taking the RCO class gives us the basics and more to try to master the techniques--and to take that progress to a RC class to talk directly to the instructor as a followup. 

 

On 9/1/2020 at 11:36 PM, Dicey said:

I've heard the same as @OneBoot.

 

Anne talked about it on one of her painting streams on Reaper's Twitch. Can't remember each episode. Many of these painting instructors rely on classes like this, which they put time and effort into creating, to make money. Some even offer classes at cost via other platforms, locations, or in person during different times. They are doing these classes for free for Reaper, but I can understand why some wouldn't want a course that they've designed "out there" for free forever. It might dilute their own course offerings in the future. Why would someone pay for something if it's out there for free? So, while Reaper did initially want to make them all available, they came to a different compromise after talking to the artists. Those that are doing classes on Twitch know and understand that the material will be available later. I've heard Mocha's "Painting with all the colors of the skin" class on Twitch is just a small part of her usual "Multicultural Skintones" class. 

 

I agree with this totally--the RCO classes are an incredible way to "tease" or provide a sample of the instructors broader course catalogue. RCO provides a fantastic way to develop following and to capture what is essentially market quantity; "Eyes on". Demonstrate basics, or a truncated but practical set of techniques and then (not) shamelessly plug the artist's paid channels to get more. 

 

[Highlander]

Having now taken both, multiple times, I find several issues when comparing online and in-person classes.

 

First, online has the potential to allow the student to see so much better what the instructor is doing.  It is as if you are watching over the instructor's shoulder; that doesn't happen in-person.  The ability to see much better is mitigated, however, by the configuration that the instructor uses.  Lighting is generally much better online.  However, some instructors have focus problems, some seem to be unaware of interfering shadows, and some can't keep the mini or whatever they are doing onscreen -- no matter how many times the moderator point it out.  Depending upon the camera, colors can be either true or off.  Sound issues infrequently arise online. 

 

Online is also more comfortable.  The student is not crammed into a small classroom, elbow to elbow with those on the left and right.  And the student can arrange his mini and painting materials with ample room.

 

HST, in-person lighting, IMO, ranges from poor to terrible; I always bring my own portable lamps. 

 

Online, however, is severely restricted in communication and feedback.  Typing in questions, which may or may not be responded to, takes time and, by the time read, may be well after the topic being questioned; some instructors are so fast that, if a student gets even slightly behind, the class can become a loss.  The instructor can't see the students' work, so there is no personal feedback -- or other personal interaction. 

 

My personal preference is on-line, if I have to make a choice.  But only barely.  I think that, with the introduction of online classes, Reaper is giving us the best of both worlds.  Online is a great introduction or refinement of a new topic or technique at two levels -- beginner or intermediate.  By attending ReaperCon in-person and carefully selecting classes, a student can get strong, personal reinforcement from an instructor who is present.

 

I'm good to go for ReaperCon this year.  I plan to build on what I've learned virtually.  Painting life is good.

 

 

[Humansquish]

In many of my in person classes at Reapercon I have asked instructors to look over their shoulders, all have been very willing to let me.

[Cygnwulf]

12 hours ago, Humansquish said:

In many of my in person classes at Reapercon I have asked instructors to look over their shoulders, all have been very willing to let me.

True, but when 20 people are trying to do that at the same time it's not super effective.

 

I know I've seen it discussed though, using the document cameras and a TV in the classrooms, so a blown up image can be seen by all of the students.

[Humansquish]

Strangely, after  I ask and the instructor invites anyone who wants to to do the same, very few people actually do.

 

I've taken an in person class with cameras & a tv, it was ok. I prefer the smaller 6-8 people classes.

[ferret]

To me the biggest advantage of having classes on line is they can be made available to much larger numbers.  An in person class of 6-8 people is great if you are one of those few to snag a seat but as Reapercon has grown it seems the classes I am interested in sell out very quickly..

  My experience has also been that instructors tend to do a better job of staying on topic in on line classes.  The last in person class I took was awful because a a couple of students asking for "feedback" or advice on unrelated techniques completely derailed the class.

  So I much prefer on-line classes in most cases.

Edited March 25, 2021 by ferret

[ReaperAHawk]

22 hours ago, Cygnwulf said:

True, but when 20 people are trying to do that at the same time it's not super effective.

 

I know I've seen it discussed though, using the document cameras and a TV in the classrooms, so a blown up image can be seen by all of the students.

 

Yes, that is the goal for 2021 RCon to have document cameras and TVs in every classroom for easy visibility.

[Highlander]

On 3/24/2021 at 11:55 AM, Cygnwulf said:

True, but when 20 people are trying to do that at the same time it's not super effective. ...

 

Absolutely.

 

On 3/25/2021 at 4:49 AM, ferret said:

My experience has also been that instructors tend to do a better job of staying on topic in on line classes.  The last in person class I took was awful because a a couple of students asking for "feedback" or advice on unrelated techniques completely derailed the class. ...

 

I have had similar experiences.  The key is the instructor's ability to handle students who want to go off syllabus. 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Highlander

[Highlander]

On 3/24/2021 at 10:00 PM, Humansquish said:

Strangely, after  I ask and the instructor invites anyone who wants to to do the same, very few people actually do.

...

...I prefer the smaller 6-8 people classes.

 

There are students who lock on to the instructor's shoulder and claim it for the entire class.  Not a lot; a few.

 

Yes on the smaller classes.  10-12 students are really stretching it.   And, when the 13th or 14th student is crammed in at the last minute, the class suffers.

[reytheist]

For anyone coming along more recently, this question was originally asked prior to the Virtual Expo, when classes were being held via Zoom and Twitch. Under normal circumstances, ReaperCon classes are held on-site in classrooms and are not recorded.