Frontline Cam Op Guide

Role Overview

As a Camera Operator, you are not just capturing video - you are a worship leader through visuals. Your role is to help guide the congregation into worship by ensuring that every shot enhances, rather than distracts from, the experience. Your framing, movement, and composition help tell the story of what God is doing in the service. By staying engaged, anticipating key moments, and following the direction of the Video Director, you play a vital role in drawing people into worship.

Camera 1 & 2

Getting Started

1. Make sure you have your headset, and help the rest of the team get their own headsets and batteries
2. Remove the lens caps
3. Check the settings on each camera are as follows:
   1. Shutter: 1/30
   2. Iris: f5.6
   3. Gain: +4
   4. White Balance: 4500
   5. Tint: 0
4. Move the speed knob on both controllers down and up to full

Shutdown

1. Simply replace the lens caps, they will turn off with the rest of the system

Video Guide

Click here for the video guide of camera 1 and 2!

PTZ (Camera 3 & 4)

** Work in progress. Updated guide coming soon! **

Handheld Camera

** Work in progress. Updated guide coming soon! **

Safeties, Consistences, Freedoms

Safeties

1. Use discernment to avoid capturing moments of worship that are meant to be private.
2. Follow directions from the video director to ensure the team is working cohesively.
3. Constantly check that the subject is in focus.
   • You can utilize "focus pulls" to artfully bring a subject into or out of focus, but do this intentionally and from a strong foundation of being consistently in focus.

Consistencies

1. Help the video director and the rest of the team by proactively capturing shots that are needed for the next moment in a song or overall service.
2. Keep movement intentional and steady; avoid accidental bumps or harsh movements.
3. Headroom and Framing
   • Maintain proper headroom and framing (avoid too much space above heads or cutting off foreheads).
   • Shots should be no tighter than shoulder-up on vocalists and communicators.
   • Keep all shots level—avoid tilting the camera into a “Dutch angle”.
4. Worship Leadership & Storytelling
   • Capture Emotion & Engagement:
     • Choose shots that reflect the worship atmosphere, not just what looks technically “good.”
     • Focus on worship leaders and musicians actively leading, not just playing.

Freedoms

1. Camera Movement Style
   • Operators may use pans, zooms, focus pulls, or other movement techniques when appropriate.
   • Can experiment with handheld energy vs. static framing depending on the song’s tone.
2. Shot Composition & Framing
   • Camera operators have freedom to compose dynamic shots while maintaining the director’s vision.
3. PTZ Operators: Use of Presets, Zooms, and Manual Controls
   • While collaborating with the Video Director and other camera operators, PTZ operators can choose how to utilize presets, automatic traces, and manual controls throughout a service.