FAQs for Guests of the Webinar

What is CoMP?

CoMP—Conversations on Media Production—is an independent educational webinar series featuring experienced professionals from film, television, music, writing, design, photography, interactive media and creative technology.

Our goal is to connect emerging and established creatives with practical knowledge from people who have built real careers in their fields.

When are CoMP webinars presented?

Our regular live schedule includes:

East Coast Editions: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. ET
West Coast Editions: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. PT

The regional designations refer to the broadcast times, not restrictions on where guests or attendees must be located.

How long is a webinar?

Running times vary by subject and guest, but each webinar generally includes:

A brief guest introduction
A conversation about the guest’s background and career journey
An in-depth educational discussion focused on the featured subject
A live audience Q&A
Time for the guest to discuss current projects, services or releases

The anticipated running time will be confirmed before the event.

How is the webinar topic selected?

CoMP develops a proposed subject based on the guest’s experience, areas of expertise and potential value to our audience.

The topic is collaborative. Guests are encouraged to suggest changes, clarify what they are comfortable discussing and identify the lessons they believe will be most useful.

Our goal is to create a focused educational conversation—not to surprise anyone with an ambush disguised as professional development.

Will I receive the questions in advance?

Yes. CoMP will prepare and send the proposed questions before the webinar so you have time to review them and,, suggest revisions and identify anything you would prefer not to discuss.

Audience questions cannot be provided in advance, but they are moderated for relevance and appropriateness.

Do guests get paid for appearing?

CoMP does not guarantee an appearance fee. However, a guest may request 25% of the event’s net profit as compensation for their participation.

This arrangement must be requested and agreed upon before the live webinar. It cannot be requested retroactively after the event.

Net profit exists only when event-specific revenue exceeds the direct costs of producing and promoting the webinar. These costs may include ticketing and payment-processing fees, refunds, advertising, technical services and other direct production expenses.

If the event does not generate a net profit, no payment will be due. If a profit is generated, the participating guest who requested compensation will receive 25% of that net amount. Payment terms and any required tax documentation will be confirmed in writing before the event.

Why is compensation based on net profit?

CoMP is an independently produced educational series with limited ticket prices designed to remain accessible to students, emerging professionals and working artists.

The profit-sharing option allows guests to participate in the event’s financial success while recognizing that ticket revenue must first cover the direct cost of producing and promoting the webinar.

Guests may also choose to waive compensation and participate in support of CoMP’s educational mission.

May I promote my work during the webinar?

Yes. We reserve time near the end of the program for guests to discuss relevant projects, products, services, organizations, releases or upcoming events.

Please provide any links you would like us to share with attendees before the webinar. The primary conversation should remain educational rather than function as an extended sales presentation.

Can I invite guests?

Yes. Each featured guest may receive up to 10 complimentary guest-list tickets.

For each person, please provide:

First name
Last name
Email address

Guest-list information must be submitted by the deadline provided by the CoMP team. Each complimentary ticket is intended for the named recipient and may not be transferred or resold.

Will the webinar be recorded?

Yes. CoMP webinars are recorded.

The complete recast is generally made available to CoMP subscribers through Patreon and Substack beginning on the Sunday following the live event. Selected excerpts may also be edited and shared through the CoMP website, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other promotional or educational channels.

By agreeing to participate, guests acknowledge that their name, likeness, voice and webinar appearance may be recorded, edited, distributed and promoted in connection with CoMP and the webinar series.

Will I receive promotional materials?

CoMP will prepare promotional materials for the event, which may include:

Event artwork
Guest biography
Webinar title and description
Registration link
Social-media graphics or clips

Guests are encouraged to share the event with their professional networks and audiences. Please tag CoMP whenever possible so we can help amplify the post.

What materials should I provide?

We may request:

Your preferred professional name and title
A current biography
A high-resolution headshot
The correct pronunciation of your name
Website and social-media links
Links related to projects you wish to promote
Any professional affiliations that require approval or disclosure
Topics or projects that should not be discussed

Please confirm that you have permission to provide any photographs, videos, music, presentation slides or other copyrighted materials used during the webinar.

What equipment do I need?

For the best results, please use:

A laptop or desktop computer
A reliable high-speed internet connection
The current version of the Zoom desktop application
A quality external microphone, USB microphone or wired headset
A webcam capable of producing a clear HD image
Headphones or earbuds when needed to prevent echo
A quiet and private recording space

A phone or tablet may work in an emergency, but a properly positioned computer generally provides better picture, sound and connection stability.

How should I set up my camera?

Position the camera horizontally at or slightly above eye level. Frame yourself from approximately the chest upward, leaving a small amount of space above your head.

Please avoid:

Placing the camera below your face
Sitting too far from the camera
Allowing the camera to point toward a bright window
Excessive empty space above your head
Distracting movement in the background
Using a handheld device throughout the webinar

Look toward the camera when speaking whenever possible. This creates a stronger sense of connection with the audience.

What lighting should I use?

Your face should be evenly illuminated from the front or from a slight angle.

A window, ring light, LED panel or shaded lamp positioned behind the camera can provide effective lighting. If you wear glasses, place the light slightly off-center and above eye level to reduce reflections.

Avoid sitting with a bright window or strong lamp behind you. When the primary light source is behind the guest, Zoom may turn the guest into a mysterious silhouette—and mystery is not always the desired production value.

What microphone setup is recommended?

Clear sound is more important than expensive equipment. A basic USB microphone, wired headset or quality pair of wired earbuds can produce good results when used in a quiet room.

For the best sound:

Position the microphone close enough to capture your voice clearly
Use headphones if your speakers create echo or feedback
Avoid Bluetooth devices with unreliable connections
Turn off fans, televisions and other background noise
Silence phones and computer notifications
Avoid tapping the desk or moving objects near the microphone
Keep water nearby, but place it where it cannot spill onto your equipment

Do not sit several feet away and rely solely on a laptop microphone if a better option is available.

How should I prepare Zoom?

Before the webinar:

Install or update the Zoom desktop application
Confirm that your display name appears correctly
Test your camera, microphone and speakers
Connect your computer to power
Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs
Pause cloud backups, large downloads and streaming activity
Disable visible and audible notifications
Use a wired internet connection when practical
Place the Zoom window near your camera to improve eyeline

Whenever possible, use the same computer, camera, microphone and location during the technical check and the live webinar.

Will there be a technical check?

CoMP may schedule a brief technical check before the event. Even when a separate rehearsal is not required, guests should join the webinar early enough to confirm their camera, sound, lighting and internet connection before attendees enter.

Your arrival time and private guest-access link will be provided in advance.

Please do not share the guest-access link. Members of your guest list will receive separate attendee access.

Can I use a virtual background?

A clean physical background is generally preferable. Virtual backgrounds may be used when necessary, provided they are professional and do not cause distracting visual distortion.

Avoid animated backgrounds, copyrighted promotional artwork you do not control and images containing small text that cannot be read onscreen.

May I use slides, video or music?

Yes, provided the materials support the educational topic and are submitted or discussed with CoMP in advance.

Please confirm that you have the necessary rights and permissions to display or play any music, footage, photographs, graphics or other third-party material. Media should be tested before the live event to prevent technical delays.

What should I wear?

Wear clothing that is comfortable, professional and appropriate to your field. Solid colors and subtle patterns generally reproduce better on camera than narrow stripes, highly reflective materials or extremely busy designs.

If using a virtual background, avoid wearing colors that closely match it.

How is the audience Q&A handled?

Audience members submit questions through Zoom’s Q&A feature. CoMP’s hosts select questions based on relevance, clarity and available time.

Guests are never required to answer questions involving confidential information, contractual restrictions, private matters or individualized legal, medical or financial advice.

What if my employer or organization requires approval?

Please obtain any necessary employer, studio, union, client or corporate approvals before participating.

Guests are responsible for knowing what they may discuss publicly. If particular projects, clients, financial information or internal practices are confidential, notify CoMP before the event so the conversation can be structured accordingly.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Please notify CoMP as soon as possible. Early notice gives us the best opportunity to reschedule the webinar and communicate changes to registered attendees.

In the event of a last-minute emergency or technical failure, contact the CoMP team directly using the information provided with your guest confirmation.

Who produces CoMP?

CoMP—Conversations on Media Production—was founded by Adonis Tsilimparis and Darren E. Johnson and is produced by Noise Gallery Media LLC.

Connecting Experience. Inspiring Creativity. Building Careers.