Sunday, December 28, 2008

Sermon Review for Directors and Technical Directors

This post is meant to acclimate Directors and Technical Directors with the flow and pacing of Mark's sermon presentations and the use of graphics or PowerPoints within the sermon for the Blue Valley site. Each video was shot during the 8am service on December 14th. This is the Giving Tree sermon.

   

The first video was shot as we would normally view Mark in the sanctuary; we see him and PowerPoint on the screen at the same time. We can each watch and listen to Mark or we can watch PowerPoint. We choose. At the Blue Valley site, they can't choose. We need to choose for them. Video will have to tell the story without Mark being able to present his sermon live. Thus we need to show Mark and PowerPoint at the same time for the Blue Valley audience on one screen. How do we do this? 



The second video was shot at the same angle as the first, but as a medium shot. (There will be only one view of the angle since we didn't have our other three cameras installed at the time of this capture. Otherwise we would normally cut into the sermon 2 to 3 other viewing angles to give the audience at Blue Valley a better sense of viewing and pacing.) This second video also has PowerPoint cut into the sermon just as we would in the control room. Beginning in early January, we will be cutting PowerPoint into Mark's sermon live and using all three camera angles.

This is what I want the directors and TD's to think about and watch as we continue to move forward over the next few weeks. Watch how I cut the sermon graphics into Mark's presentation. Watch, listen and think about the way Mark presents. Get a feeling for when we need to be on a medium close up, camera angle of Mark when he is providing a strong point in his sermon. Watch for when he "calls" for graphics (PowerPoint). Listen to his pacing and tempo, and ask yourself, what camera should I be on for the best viewing angle for those sitting at the Blue Valley site and streaming on the web.

These are the questions and attention to detail Director's and their counter parts, TD's, need to be aware of when you go into the control room and direct our volunteer camera operators, graphics and switcher operators. These decisions are important to how each week's sermon is presented. Be mindful and patient in the control room. If a mistake is made, pass on the commentary, and keep your thoughts on your next move. Good directors may feel the heat under pressure, but they won't let you know it until after the live shot is done.



The third video is something for us to consider. It contains a split screen view of Mark and PowerPoint at the same time. This is a bit more ambitious and may be something we try at a later date. I thought I would throw it in here too just to give you an idea of the framing and view angles necessary to achieve split screen. TD's will need to learn how to make this happen on the switcher. It's a little bit more complex, but later, maybe we can try this out during one of the Thursday night Praise Band rehearsals.

That brings me to Thursday nights. This is a great time for teams to rehearse without the need for a live recording. Coordinate with your teams and let me know if you would like to participate and practice during the praise band rehearsals. They start every Thursday night at 6:30pm at the Prairie Village site, of course.

Thanks again for everyone's participation! Installation starts tomorrow, Monday Dec. 29th and runs 2 weeks. Our first practice run through will be Jan. 11th on Sunday for all three services. We may also get a chance to practice on Thursday, Jan. 8th, if the installation is complete. I will keep you posted.

God Bless and Happy New Year! 

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tech Training

I hope everyone is staying warm and is driving safely to their destinations. I have a couple of important dates to make you' all aware in regards to training and organization.

Dec. 21st in Room 205 during the 11am Service - Volunteer Team meeting get-together. Mark and Lee may join to say hello. This is to familiarize everyone with each other and to update you on the installation and organization of the control room. In case you can't attend, we have another one the following week.

Dec. 28th in Room 205 during the 11am Service - Volunteer Team meeting get-together. Mark and Lee may join to say hello. This is to familiarize everyone with each other and to update you on the installation and organization of the control room.
 
Dec. 29th & 30th in the sanctuary from 9am to 4pm - Need a handful of folks to help pull cable for the installation of cameras. If you could spare a couple of hours on either of those dates, your assistance is appreciated.

Jan. 9th in the new Control Room from 10am to 2pm - Mandatory switcher training for Directors and Technical Directors. This is provided by Ross Systems engineer, Les O'Reilly. If you can't make this, Owen and I will provide one on one training scheduled at your convenience.

We will continue to provide training for camera operators on a team by team basis or one on one if necessary. Look for those dates to come later.

We are getting closer and closer to our Launch date. Post your comments or questions here and I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks again for everyone's participation!


Monday, December 8, 2008

Tech Teams as of 12/8/08

I'm happy to report that our teams are coming along nicely! Teams A & B had their first site visit at Church of the Resurrection. Each member came out of the experience with enthusiasm and excitement, eager to begin the training process at Hillcrest.

That said, I would like to begin an overview training soon to familiarize everyone with how our site will be installed and the equipment therein. Organizing that during the busy holiday and having everyone able to participate at Hillcrest may be difficult depending on everyone's schedule. So maybe I can perform a WebEx meeting or something online so everyone can join in from home or download at their leisure. 

Anyway, here's how the teams are shaking out at the moment. More to come later.

Thanks for everones participation!

Hillcrest Covenant Prairie Village - 8am Service (Call time: 7:30)


PV (Prairie Village) Crew A: Gary Brown, Jeff Centimano & Taege Thailing


- Producer - Sandy Thailing & Owen Evans

- Director - Gary Brown

- Switcher - Jeff Centimano

- Cameras - Taege Thailing

- Graphics

- Audio



PV Crew B: Matt McLenon, Greg Ator & Peter Thompson


- Producer - Sandy Thailing & Owen Evans

- Director - Matt McLenon

- Switcher - Greg Ator

- Cameras - Peter Thompson

- Graphics

- Audio


PV Crew C: Chris Cook, Paul David Benedict (Sub), Barry St. John, Grant Mong & Gary Mullin


- Producer - Sandy Thailing & Owen Evans

- Director - Chris Cook or Paul David Benedict

- Switcher - Barry St. John

- Cameras - Gary Mullin or Grant Mong

- Graphics -

- Audio


PV Crew D: Dawn Peete, Chris Cook, Amber Thailing


- Producer - Sandy Thailing & Owen Evans

- Director - Dawn Peete

- Switcher - Chris Cook

- Cameras - Amber Thailing

- Graphics -

- Audio


PV Crew E: Jimmy Tompkins, Jim Tyler, 


- Producer - Sandy Thailing & Owen Evans

- Director - Jimmy Tompkins

- Switcher - Jim Tyler

- Cameras - Jim Ferneau

- Graphics -

- Audio


Hillcrest Covenant Blue Valley - 9:30am Service (Load-in: 7:00 am)


BV (Blue Valley) Crew A: Albert Lierz, Chris Cook, Taege Thailing


- Producer - Sandy Thailing

- Graphics - Chris Cook

- Lighting - Albert Lierz

- Audio

- Grip - Taege Thailing

Friday, December 5, 2008

Volunteers Needed!

We have a solid group of folks committed to working on the Tech Team! But more help is needed. You will find a description of the positions that are involved with both the sites: Hillcrest Covenant Prairie Village and Hillcrest Covenant Blue Valley.

Thanks to all who are presently signed up. Owen Evans and I had a great meeting yesterday and are beginning to form our teams and plan for training later this month. Look over the positions and email me your interests. Remember, no experience is required, training will be available. 


Tech Team Positions 


Hillcrest Covenant Prairie Village - 8 am Service 


Worship & Sermon Audio Engineer - maintains sound level quality in the sanctuary and a master level for recording 

Worship & Sermon Lighting Director - provides smooth level adjustments to lighting in the sanctuary throughout service 

Sermon Camera Operator - 3 camera operation via remote joystick 

Worship & Sermon Graphics Operator - provides worship lyrics and powerpoint operation for projection 

Sermon Switcher/Technical Director - responsible for switching from camera 1 thru and graphics 

Sermon Director - resp

onsible for the decision making, i.e. directing lighting, cameras, graphics and audio in the sanctuary 

Sermon Producer - Sandy Thailing/Owen Evans - Owen and I will always be the on-site producer and can sub out a position if there is a no-show 


*** Six months into the Blue Valley launch, these positions will expand to include Worship Producer, Worship Director, etc. What I see happening down the road, is a request to shoot the praise band for various special services, baptisms and other needs that revolve around worship. 


Hillcrest Covenant Blue Valley - 10 am Service 


Blue Valley Audio Engineer - maintains sound level quality in the multi-purpose room 

Blue Valley Lighting Gaffer/Grip - helps with lighting set-up/tear down and the quality of light level in the multipurpose room 

BV Graphics/Playback Operator - provides worship lyrics and powerpoint operation for projection and sermon playback 


*** All three of these positions will help with set-up and tear-down of the tech equipment 

and lighting. The lighting director will bear the brunt of the work. He/she needs to be a strong person ready to lift. 


Tech Team Layout

Thursday, December 4, 2008

First Tech Post - 12/4/08

Welcome to the Hillcrest Covenant Technology blog site! 

Subscribe and follow along here to get up to the minute information concerning the technology needs for Hillcrest Covenant Prairie Village and Hillcrest Covenant Blue Valley. This is your resource for information related to your teams such as scheduling, equipment manuals and training, and anything else necessary to further the success of media at the Hillcrest sites.

The next couple of post will relate to team positions and the volunteer crews presently signed up to help with this venture. Look for those soon.

A couple of important dates to remember:

Saturday, Dec. 6th at 4:45pm at Church of the Resurrection - Site Visit and Crew Shadowing for Teams A & B.

Saturday, Dec. 13th at 4:45pm at Church of the Resurrection - Site Visit & Crew Shadowing for Teams C & D.

Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at 11:00 am, for all leaders and volunteers. This meeting will be in Rooms 246-248 for one hour. Our goal for this meeting will be to have all our teams filled and together in one location. This will be an opportunity to communicate important logistics for Blue Valley's opening Sunday. This meeting will be just one month before we open the doors of Hillcrest Blue Valley.

Sunday January 11, at 12:15 for families to share a meal with all those who will be a part of Hillcrest Blue Valley. (Childcare provided.) This will be a special time to introduce ourselves to each other and pray for one another as we begin our new ministry.

Wed, December 3: Leader and interested party meeting
Sun, January 4: Leader and Team meeting
Sun, January 11: All Blue Valley commissioning
Sun, January 18: Tech Set-up and tear-down, team leaders on site
Sun, January 25: Dress Rehearsal 
Sun, February 1: 1st Service Blue Valley


Look for the next post on your team positions and crew members! Thanks!  

Sandy

James A. Thailing (Sandy)
Director of Technology
Hillcrest Covenant Church
913-568-1093 cell
email: sandyt1@mac.com