The Inner Space Center (ISC) is a leader in using cutting-
edge telepresence technologies to support live ocean
exploration and connect scientists and other audiences on
shore with ocean science activities at sea. During a standard
ocean exploration season, the ISC provides telepresence
engineering and media production support for vessels such
as NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer and E/V Nautilus to facilitate,
capture, produce, and promote underwater exploration in
real time. Although 2020 was a nontraditional exploration
season in many ways, the ISC was well positioned to meet
many of the challenges associated with remote networking
and ocean science engagement during the pandemic.
However, without ship-based communicators to estab-
lish an engagement link, the ISC Media and Production
Team had to adapt the way in which audiences—science
and nonscience—could use telepresence connections and
access oceanographic content. The team had to redefine
production strategies while working from home and con-
duct more virtual meetings in the cloud.
Advancing Reach Through Telepresence Technology
(ARTT) was the team’s first successful demonstration of
remote media production. The highly produced video piece,
fully created while team members worked entirely at home,
was submitted to the US National Science Foundation’s
(NSF) STEM for All Video Showcase in May 2020. The video
highlighted the ocean science research and communication
efforts of the NSF-funded Northwest Passage Project
(Figure 1). It received over 3,600 views and was awarded a
“Presenter’s Choice” medal during the Showcase.
To further media and production efforts during the pan-
demic, the team connected with existing partners to talk
about engagement priorities and remote programming
considerations. Members of the media and communica-
tions industry were also contacted to better understand
the production tools and techniques they used for virtual
engagement. This initial research was key to developing
effective processes for cloud-based media production. New
ways of collaboration were realized, and IP-based tools were
identified and tested to broadly support the engagement
activities of the ocean exploration community.
Software-based IP communications, which maintain
content and media assets in the cloud, are less expensive
and require less staff time to operate than traditional
telepresence practices. These strategies free up resources
for other purposes, such as creating targeted programming
for specific audiences and achieving continuity across
different communication platforms. However, shifting to a
more IP-based mode of communication and production is
a fundamental shift away from traditional ISC telepresence
models, which are built on broadband-based equipment
and signal flow as well as high-end broadcast hardware and
hub-like facilities to support communication infrastructure.
The ISC tested and invested in multiple pieces of produc-
tion software to successfully produce engaging and inter-
active programming in the cloud. Mobile-friendly intercom
applications, like Unity Intercom, were utilized for remote
communications during live programs. The ease of the
modern, web-based, user-friendly platform StreamYard,
with an Internet connection as the only requirement,
allowed connection to activities with one click.
This more accessible, browser-based entry point
increased science communication opportunities with
ocean and engineering professionals while not burdening
them with the unnecessary weight of managing produc-
tion elements. Collecting and formatting images and
video, building a specific brand for each series or program,
displaying and transitioning media during live programs,
monitoring audio, tracking audience questions and
Inner Space Center Media Production in the Cloud
Adapting Ocean Science Communication for the 21st Century
By Holly Morin, Alex DeCiccio, Ryan Campos, Jessica Kaelblein, Derek Sutcliffe, and Dwight F. Coleman
FIGURE 1. Almost a year after successful completion of the Northwest
Passage Project, the ISC participated in the NSF STEM for All Video
Showcase to share the project’s research, student engagement, and
science communication techniques with others in the STEM com-
munity. Advancing Reach Through Telepresence Technology was
entirely produced by the ISC Team while working from home.
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