Video Director

Role Overview

The Video Director leads worship by helping to capture a visually engaging and seamless worship experience. This role requires strong communication, leadership, and creative storytelling skills to ensure that both the in-room and online audiences are fully immersed in the service. The Video Director makes real-time decisions about camera shots, transitions, and visuals that enhance worship, teaching, and storytelling.

Safeties, Consistencies, Freedoms

Safeties

1. Respect Private Moments of Worship
   • Use discernment to avoid capturing moments of worship that are meant to be private. This is especially true for church members, but also applies to worship leaders and communicators on stage.
   • Don't take shots that are meant to be private, and lead the camera operators away from capturing those shots.
2. Recording Services During Both Services
   • This is controlled automatically, but you should confirm that both video monitors display "ON AIR" when service starts.
   • Manually press the "Rec" button on both video switchers if it doesn't begin automatically.
3. Maintain Clear Communication
   • Always call shots with clarity to ensure a smooth production.
   • Confirm with camera operators during rehearsals that the entire team is clear and audible.

Consistencies

1. Consistent Shot Calling & Terminology
   • Always cue camera operators before switching to their shot (e.g., “Standby 1… 1 is live”).
   • Maintain a predictable and professional flow of communication to avoid surprises.
   • Ensure the entire camera team understands and follows the same shot-calling terminology. You may use whatever terminology you prefer, just keep it consistent!
2. Headroom & Framing
   • Maintain proper headroom and framing (avoid too much space above heads or cutting off foreheads).
   • Avoid excessively tight shots. Shots should be no tighter than shoulder-up on vocalists and communicators
   • Keep all shots level, avoiding noticeable "Dutch-angle" effects from a tilted camera.
3. Teaching TV
   • Collaborate with the producer and communicators to identify the best times to raise and lower the teaching TV.
   • For both services, raise and lower the teaching TV at the agreed upon times.
4. Monitor ASL Feed during ASL Interpreted Services
   • Ensure that the ASL Interpreter is consistently in frame; watch if the interpreter transitions from sitting to standing during times of worship.
   • Confirm that the ASL Interpreter picture-in-picture box moves from bottom-right to center-right during announcements to avoid cutting off the lower-third graphics.
5. Worship Leadership and Storytelling
   • Capture Emotion & Engagement:
     • Choose shots that reflect and enhance the worship atmosphere, not just technically “good” shots.
     • Highlight worship leaders and musicians actively leading—not just playing, but engaging with the congregation.
   • Prioritize Congregational Connection:
     • Include wider shots showing the room’s energy to communicate corporate worship.
     • Avoid too many tight shots that make it feel like a performance rather than a shared experience.
   • Showcase Key Musical Moments:
     • Guitar solos? Cut to the guitarist.
     • Big drum build? Show the drummer.
     • Layered vocal harmonies? Highlight BGVs while keeping lead vocals prominent.
6. Set On-Stage Cameras During Rehearsals
   • You have 2-3 cameras on stage. Work with your camera operators to set them on Wednesday night!

Freedoms

1. Cutting vs. Dissolving
   • Directors can decide between cuts and dissolves depending on the moment.
2. Shot Selection
   • Directors have freedom to choose creative shots that enhance the worship experience.
   • Can experiment with different angles, perspectives, and dynamic camera movements.
3. Positioning of On-Stage Cameras
4. Camera Movement Style
   • Guide camera operators on when to use slow pushes, slides, or other creative movements.