Contemporary Worship - Video

General Principles

You are the eyes of the audience at home.
- Their view is entirely limited to what we provide them.
- Whatever we're not showing, they don't get to see.
Show the church in its best light.
- Many people will check out the live stream before attending in person.
- Try to avoid shots that show a bunch of empty seats. This is a good reason to generally avoid wider shots that stray from the stage, as people tend to fill from the back leaving more gaps towards the front. It's easier to avoid when people are standing as that hides the gaps.
Respect privacy.
- Stick to the focus of the service.
- If someone is seeking prayer on the sides or something, it gets weird, exploitative, and can make them uncomfortable later to include that private moment in the live stream.
- If showing the congregation at all, such as during communion, make groups the focus, not individuals.
Understand and anticipate the flow of the service.
- Stay aware of what's coming up so you can be ready with the correct shot when a segment ends.
- It's easy to find yourself with no shot to cut to as your subject walks off.
Maintain appropriate framing of your subject/s.
- When in doubt, stick with the Cowboy Shot, so named for Westerns where they wanted to include a gunslinger's holster. That means aim to include the mid-hip or their instrument (if they're holding a guitar or playing the keyboard) up to their head.
- There should always be some margin above the top of their head and where you're trying to land the bottom.
- The subject should generally be horizontally centered.
- It is often difficult to get our PTZ cameras lined up exactly the way we want them. Just take the best compromise.
Avoid duplicate shots during worship (speaking portions are different because you only have a single subject).
- Don't transition between different cameras showing the same numbered preset (the exception being 8, as camera 2 and 3 show different players).
- If you want to switch between, for example, camera 1 on preset 6 and camera 3 on preset 6, switch to camera 2 on preset 2 (the Stage) in between.
Stage shots can be great for covering mistakes.
- As long as the audience can see what the focus is, that's something, even if you don't have the proper closer shot.
- This can be helpful as you wait for a camera to move to where you really need to be.

Setup

Always

Switch on the power strip on the top left of the board below the table to power everything on.
Log into the laptop and do the following:
1. Open the ATEM Software Control program via the icon on the taskbar.
2. Click File->Restore
3. Double-click SundayDefault.xml in the Documents folder to restore our typical settings.
On the board, click the MACRO button
Press the BKGD button to make sure only the background is being transitioned

Before Rehearsal (Sunday)

On the laptop:
1. In ATEM Software Control, scroll down to the recording settings and change the name from Untitled to SundayMorningYYMMDD (ex. if it's 04/14/24, use "SundayMorning240414").
2. Open Chrome
3. In YouTube, go to the list of streams and click on the correct stream
4. Next to the stream key, which will be a bunch of *s, click Copy
5. Go back to ATEM Software Control
6. Scroll to the streaming settings
7. Delete the stream key and paste in the key you copied from YouTube

During Rehearsal (Thursday & Sunday)

Take the opportunity once everyone is on stage and rehearsing to get cameras positioned and ready.

Go on stage and make sure camera 4 is lined up well.
1. Open up the view screen on the camcorder to see the shot.
2. Ensure it has a clear, unobstructed view of the drummer.
3. This can be a combination of moving the tripod towards stage left and asking the electric guitar player to shift towards stage right to avoid them blocking the shot.
Sit back down at the switcher and start going through camera presets to make sure they're lined up with where the current performers are standing.
1. On the Camera Control, press CAM1, press 1, wait for it to finish. Press CAM2, press 1, wait for it to finish. Press CAM3, press 1, wait for it to finish.
2. On the Switcher, set Program to Cam 1 and Preview to Cam 2.
3. Verify that Cam 1 is centered via the Program display. Verify that Cam 2 is centered via the Preview display. Switch the Preview to Cam 3 and check that, as well.
4. For any shot that needs adjustment, position it appropriately, then on the Camera Control, press SET, then the preset position number, ENTER, then ESC. That will save the new position to that preset for that camera.
5. Repeat the process for each preset ensuring that each camera's version of the shot is positioned correctly.
Pay attention to the songs to catch good moments to focus on certain instruments during the service.

After Rehearsal (Sunday)

When Rehearsal is over, make sure to get things set up for the start of service so you'd don't forget.

Set Program to Front Screens (input 5).
1. We want to show the PreWorship slides on the live stream before the service starts.
Set Preview to Camera 1 (input 1).
1. You want to be ready to switch off of the Front Screens as soon as the service starts.
Make sure Aux1 is set to input 5.
Set Camera 1 to preset 6 or whichever other preset gives you the shot of the worship leader.
1. Whomever is leading worship usually says a quick greeting to get things started.
Set Camera 2 and 3 to presets 2 and 4 or 5 if the vocalist leads the first song.
1. You want a camera with a stage shot to go to as soon as the worship leader finishes their greeting and in case of confusion.
2. You don't want to forget to have a camera on the person leading the first song if it's not the worship leader. Otherwise, it's a nice initial alternative shot.
Press the Mute Audio macro.
1. We don't have streaming rights for the audio we're playing in the Fellowship Hall as people are entering, so we don't want that going out.

Hardware

Switcher

Our switcher is a Blackmagic Television Studio HD8. You can find the manual here. It is incredibly powerful and capable of a great deal more than we use it for. It can look a bit intimidating, but most operators will not need to worry about most of its buttons and features.

Input List
1. Includes both cameras and screens.
2. Only the first 5 should be used directly for the Program.
Program Selection
1. The button that is lit red shows which input is currently going to the Program output used for the live stream.
2. Typically, you do not press these buttons directly, but you can if you want immediately switch to that input.
Preview Selection
1. The button that is lit green shows which input is currently being Previewed.
2. Typically, you press the button for the input you want to switch to in order to Preview it. When you are ready to transition to that input, you use Cut, Auto, or the Fader Bar.
Cut - Switches immediately between the Preview and Program inputs.
1. This should generally be used during speaking to give you an immediate transition.
Fader Bar - Moving the bar between the top and bottom causes a smooth transition between the Preview and Program inputs.
1. This should generally be used during worship/music, allowing the timing of the transition to match the tempo of the music.
2. You can get really artsy with this, moving it very slowly and/or leaving it somewhere in the middle to show a blend between the two inputs... you should probably avoid that. Most people are either going to think it's unintentional and/or they'll hate it regardless.
Auto - Smoothly transitions between the Preview and Program inputs over a set interval.
1. I generally recommend avoiding this, as you can't match the timing we want to achieve when we want a smooth transition.
Aux1/Aux2 - This controls whether Aux1 or Aux2 can be manipulated via the keys to the left.
1. Aux1 is the output going to the front screens.
2. Aux1 should always be selected as we are not currently using Aux2.
Aux1 Input Selection - Controls which input is going to Aux1 (the front screens).
1. This should generally be set to 5, the front screen output from ProPresenter.
2. This can be used when troubleshooting various issues to send alternative inputs to the front screens.
3. There are times we want to show a camera input on the front screen during the service, but this is often better handled by the person running ProPresenter (using the ATEM Software Control on their computer) as they are responsible for the front screen.
System Control Panel - With the various buttons around it, this is used to view and control most settings directly from the board.
1. The main home screen shows which input is selected for Preview and Program.
2. Press Home to the left of the screen if this isn't what you're seeing.
3. You should rarely ever need to look at this as it's presenting information that is obvious elsewhere.
4. The ATEM Software Control provides a superior interface for changing the board's settings.
Macro - When selected (causing it to light up blue), the Macros will be displayed to the left above the inputs.
Macro List - Shows all available macros. Pressing the buttons above them will trigger the respective macro.
1. Macros can be used to perform a custom series of actions/make multiple changes with a single button press.
2. Most of the macros are for complex keyer changes or muting/restoring audio.
Transition Selection - These buttons control precisely what is changed when a transition is performed (such as via Cut, Auto, or the Fader Bar).
1. Only what is activated/highlighted (lit up) will change.
2. To activate multiple buttons, press them simultaneously. Pressing a single button will cause other buttons to de-activate.
3. BKGD - Causes the background to change (from Preview to Program).
4. KEY 1-4 - Causes that keyer to change from On to Off.
These buttons control whether the keyers are on or off.
1. These can be pressed directly to enable/disable them.
REC/STOP - Rec will start recording the Program output to a file. Stop will stop the recording.
1. Please make sure the file has been named in ATEM Software Control as explained in Sunday Morning
ON AIR/OFF - On Air will begin sending the Program output to YouTube. Off will stop sending.
1. This does not begin the stream in YouTube! It only provides the signal to YouTube.
2. Without this, YouTube will not get any video and will not let you go live.
3. You must still click, "Go Live" in YouTube to start the live stream.
4. You must still click, "End Stream" in YouTube to stop the live stream.
FTB - Fades the entire Program output to black over a brief, set interval.
1. Use this at the very end of the live stream before stopping the recording and the stream.
MSTR - This switches to the Master volume display, as opposed to the display of individual audio inputs.

Switcher Monitor

The monitor is the main thing you will be staring at. It provides a nice, large view of all inputs and information about the status of recording and streaming. It's your eyes on all of the action and where you will compose your shots for broadcast.

It's reasonably self-explanatory, especially since everything is so helpfully labelled. Unfortunately, I am not aware of a way to get rid of those labels when you really wish you could read what's behind them.

Program - This view shows the Program output which is what will actually go out to the live stream.
Preview - This view shows the Preview, which provides a look at what will go to Program on a transition.
Camera Inputs - Below Program/Preview are your inputs, the top row of which are all of the camera inputs.
1. The input with a red border is what's on Program.
2. The input with the green border is what's on Preview.
ProPresenter Inputs - Below that are the inputs from ProPresenter, followed by information about recording and streaming.

Camera Controller

The camera controller is a HuddleCamHD HC-JOY-G3. You can find the manual here. The most annoying thing to remember is that you have to wait for a camera to finish its panning action (even if it doesn't have to move any further, it may still consider the action in progress) before you can switch to controlling another camera or otherwise panning again. This can lead to easy mistakes where you pressed the button to switch to another camera and press the preset button to start panning it, only to be confused why nothing is happening because you never changed cameras because it was still in the middle of the previous action.

Display - Mainly used to see which camera you're selected and any commands you're currently executing.
CAM1-6 - Used to select which camera you want to control.
1. Only CAM1, CAM2, and CAM3 are currently used.
Commands - Used to execute various commands.
1. SET is the only command most operators will use.
Numbers - Used to select which preset camera position you want to go to or use for a command.
Joystick - Used to control the pan and zoom of the camera.
1. Left, right, up, and down movements will pan the camera in that direction.
2. Rotating the joystick left will zoom out, right will zoom in.

Inputs

Cam1 Center - PTZ Camera mounted on the center back wall above and between the two main sets of double doors to the lobby
1. This camera currently has a tendency to vibrate when the AC runs. We have taken steps attempting to mitigate it, but it is still a problem at times.
2. Avoid high levels of zoom, as that causes vibrations to become further exaggerated.
Cam2 Left - PTZ Camera mounted on the left wall (on a wooden pillar) above and to the right of the double doors to the stairs and hallway
1. This sometimes cuts out randomly due to the use of multiple converters. It can behave just fine for an entire Sunday. Some days it feels nearly unusable.
Cam3 Right - PTZ Camera mounted on the right wall (on a wooden pillar) above and in front of the tech corner
1. This camera also suffers from a certain amount of vibration just from people moving around near it. It's not always a problem, but can be.
Cam4 Stage - Camcorder on a tripod located towards the back left of the stage (stage right) meant to provide a clearer shot of the drummer.
1. This can cut out a LOT, flickering like crazy at times, due to the extreme number of converters it goes through to get to the switcher.
2. It's a great shot, just be wary of situations where you'll want to switch to it, but you can't because it's having issues.
Front Screens - This is the main output from ProPresenter meant to be used on the front screens.
1. This is primarily used to route to the front screens themselves via the Aux1 output.
2. Use this in the Program whenever you want the full screen view of what the audience is seeing on the front screens in the live stream (such as a picture).
Live Stream - This is the main image of the live stream output from ProPresenter.
1. This is used strictly by the keyer to overlay on top of camera views.
2. Never use this directly in the Program.
Live Stream Alpha - This is the alpha image of the live stream output from ProPresenter.
1. This is used to tell the keyer where and how to blend the background (camera) image with the live stream image.
2. Never use this directly in the Program.
Camera 8 - Unused
Media Player 1 - Unused
Media Player 2 - Unused

Camera Presets

These should be checked/set each week, as different performers of different heights and/or who simply choose to stand at a slightly different place demand adjustments to the previous week's presets.

Wide - Zoomed completely out or nearly so, this provides the widest shot each camera can provide.
1. This should be used very rarely for the live stream.
2. It's primarily used for reference and as a reset point.
Stage - Shows the majority of the stage, zoomed such that all of the worship team is visible with a small margin on each side.
1. Go ahead and avoid cutting off things like music stands in front of performers that we would consider part of the shot.
Pastor - Primary view of the pastor at the main podium.
1. Camera 1 is a bit further back.
2. Cameras 2 & 3 can be a bit more intimate.
Keyboard - Shot of the keyboard and its player.
Vocalist - Shot of the vocalist not playing an instrument.
Acoustic Guitar - Shot of the acoustic guitar player.
Reader Podium - Shots of the reader at the reader podium.
Back Guitarists - Shots of the guitar players in the back.
1. Camera 1's shot varies. If we can solve the vibration, I want to use it for a closer shot of the pastor.
2. Camera 2's shot is of the bass player in the back right (stage left).
3. Camera 3's shot is of the electric guitar player in the back left (stage right).
Keyboard/Vocalist Combo - Shot that includes both the keyboard player and vocalist together.
1. Provides an interesting shot of multiple people without going all the way out to the stage view.
Altar - Shot of the altar for communion.

Basic Operation

The main things to know about running Video are the concept of switching between inputs and the basics of what the keyers do.

Switching

This is the switching purpose of the "Switcher". We have a bunch of cameras and computer outputs that we potentially want to send to the live stream. The switcher manages what we actually show. The Program is that output that actually goes to the live stream.

You can obviously look at the monitor's Program view in the top right corner to see that output. The red border around an input view shows which input is being shown in Program. The red light under the input in the input list on the board also shows which input is being shown in Program. You could run the entire show by simply pressing the button directly below the input you wanted to switch to that input, but you'd be missing out on a lot of the value that the switcher provides. The way you're intended to switch what's going to the Program is to start with the Preview.

You can see the Preview in the top left corner of the monitor. The green border around an input view shows it's being Previewed. The green light under the input in the input list on the bottom row shows which input is being Previewed. When operating the switcher, your left hand should generally be resting on that row of input keys. This lets you quickly switch around what's being Previewed. When you're ready to switch what's going to the Program to what's being Previewed, you use one of the transition methods. The timing of how fast the transition will occur varies based on the method, but each will effectively swap the Preview and the Program. If input 1 was on Program and input 3 was on Preview, using a transition will cause input 3 to be on Program and input 1 to be on Preview. If you used a transition again without changing anything, you would get back to input 1 on Program and input 3 on Preview.

The Cut button performs the simplest, most direct transition method. The transition happens instantaneously. This is used outside of the worship portions of the service when people are speaking.
The Auto button performs the transition over a set interval. What happens during that interval depends on which transition you have selected. We always use Mix, which blends the inputs together in a simple, linear fashion. Every other transition looks silly and inappropriate.
The Fader Bar performs the transition in proportion to how far between the top and bottom you move the bar. It doesn't matter if it starts at the top or the bottom. You're still starting with the Program input either way. As you move the bar from the starting end towards the other, you're changing how much to include the original input vs. the new one. If you just stopped moving it midway, you'd have half the original, half the new, blended together equally. It's a fascinating look, but you shouldn't linger. The manual control the fader gives you lets you match the timing to whatever speed you want. This is why we use this for worship, as you can match the tempo of the song.

Throughout the service, you will be Previewing new inputs, then using Cut or the Fader Bar to switch to those inputs.

Keyers

The keyers provide a way to layer inputs together. They're what let us put the worship lyrics or scripture on the bottom of the screen over a camera input. ProPresenter actually sends two separate outputs purely for the live stream image. One output provides the image. The other provides a map of where and how to blend the image together with the background. That allows us to have images that are partially transparent and/or fade appropriately at the edges.

Most operators only need to know that if the On button above Key 1 is lit red, that means the lower thirds will show. If they toggle that button off, the lower thirds will no longer show. If the On button above Key 2 is lit red, that means the front screen image will show in a box in the bottom right corner. If they toggle that button off, that box will no longer show.

Sometimes you will need to manually press that On button above Key 1 to turn off the lower thirds in situations where, typically, a verse or sermon point is left on the front screen for an extended time long after it is read aloud. We leave it on screen because we aren't ready to switch to something else and there's no need to get rid of it. However, on the live stream, that can get annoying, as it's blocking part of the view for no further purpose. Just make sure to press the button again to turn them back on when the front screen changes.

Beyond that, the primary way to interact with the keyers is to use the macros. When we want to show a full screen image from the front screen on the live stream, use the Take Front macro to handle all of the necessary changes to make that work smoothly. Of course, showing a full screen picture is blocking the live stream audience's view of the pastor, so we don't want to leave it there for very long. After around 5 seconds or so, use the PnP Front macro to convert the full screen image to a picture-in-picture image in the bottom right corner. The input being Previewed will become the Program input. After another 10 seconds or so, use the End PnP macro to get rid of the picture-in-picture effect.

Walkthrough

This is your run through of exactly what to do during the actual service.

PreService

We want to start recording & streaming 5 minutes before the service starts.

Ensure you've followed the After Rehearsal instructions (put on the headphones to make sure there's no audio).
When the countdown timer shows 5 minutes left, press REC and ON AIR simultaneously to start recording and streaming.
On the laptop, go to YouTube in Chrome.
Click the Go Live button in the top right corner as soon as it lights up.
1. It can take a few moments for it to light up.
2. If 15+ seconds pass and it still hasn't lit up, you may have a problem.

Troubleshooting

Stop the stream with the OFF button below ON AIR.
In YouTube, copy the stream key again, delete the stream key in the ATEM Software Control and paste the key from YouTube in.
Press ON AIR to start sending the stream and see if YouTube (after a few seconds) now allows you to Go Live.

Service Start

Be ready for action 30 seconds before the service starts.

Coordinate with Sound to make sure they're turning down the background music on time so there's no chance of broadcasting it.
Put the headphones on. You should keep them on for the duration of the service to monitor the live stream's audio and be ready to report any issues to Sound.
Watch the countdown timer on the ProPresenter's Operator Monitor (the timer is shown in their preview of the Stage Monitor) as it counts down to 0.
The moment the worship leader begins speaking, press Restore Audio and Cut to get off the front screens and on to the worship leader.
Once they're done greeting, fade to your Stage shot to establish the worship team beginning the set.
Fade to whomever is leading the song just before/as they start singing.

Worship

Match the tempo and mood of each song as you provide a variety of views of the worship team.

Always use the Fader Bar to transition between shots. This lets you match the length of the fade to the beat.
It's always good to show the wider establishing shot of the stage (preset 2) during the intro.
During verse, prefer solo shots of the lead singer.
During the chorus, rotate between stage shots, individuals, and combos.
For most songs and shots, you want to wait 2-4 measures before moving to another shot.
- Faster will feel too frenetic and difficult to follow.
- Slower and the viewers can get bored of the singular view.
- The exception is during a long verse, in which case you may stay focused on the lead singer since they're the only one singing.
The drums can provide a lot of predictable moments to get a fun, dramatic shot from camera 4 on many songs.
Don't forget the bass and electric guitarists, especially when there's a nice electric guitar solo.
Make sure you know who's leading the next song before it starts so you don't get caught focused on the last song leader as someone else starts singing.

Announcements

Be ready for the switch from worship to speaking.

Know who's making the announcements and from where.
- Sometimes Jeff is on acoustic guitar or keyboard and says the announcements from the same position.
- Sometimes Jeff moves from where he was playing to the main podium, especially if he was in the back.
- Sometimes the pastor ends up doing the announcements from the main podium.
- If you forgot to ask, make sure you have cameras covering each possibility at the end of the song. A stage shot can help cover all possible outcomes.
As long as the announcement covers an upcoming event (not something going on in-person the same day), you should show it to the live stream audience.
- Press Take Front to show the front screen image.
- After 5 or so seconds, press PnP Front to put it in the corner.
- After another 10 seconds or so, shorter if the announcement is quick, press End PnP to get rid of it.
You shouldn't need to switch shots during announcements except to perhaps get to the camera you wanted but couldn't get to at the start, but if you do, use Cut, as we're no longer dealing with music.

Scripture Reading

Scripture is often read from the reader podium, but sometimes it's done from the main podium by the pastor. Rarely, it's done by the worship leader from somewhere else entirely. Pay attention to where it will come from.

Be ready with a camera on preset 7 (or 3 if it's the pastor doing it).
Note that it can be difficult to anticipate the reader's height and adjust ahead accordingly.
You might be able to stay on the same shot for the entire reading, but if you do change, it shouldn't be too much.
I prefer using Cut for transitions here, but I could understand if you used Auto for a smooth transition

Preaching

Preaching is reasonably straightforward for Video. All cameras can be set to preset 3 and you shouldn't have to make anything more than minor adjustments to their position. If you really wanted, you could even just stick to camera 1 for the entire sermon. However, I would strongly recommend keeping things a bit more interesting.

Only use Cut for transitions during the sermon.
- There's really nothing to be gained from the smooth transition, which will stand out as a slow blur.
Pastor Bob is very consistent about rotating his gaze between left, right, and center. This makes it very easy and effective to time transitions to match his movements. By following these movements, you can catch better angles of his speaking to the audience. Sometimes he's even looking directly at the cameras.
- Start on camera 1. Preview camera 2.
- As soon as he turns left or just as he's about to, Cut to camera 2.
- Wait a little while (at a minimum, wait for him to look center, right, and back to left again, but likely a few cycles more), then as he's about to or as he turns from left to center, Cut back to camera 1.
- Preview camera 3.
- Wait another similar while, then as he's about to or as he turns from center to the right, Cut to camera 3.
- Wait again, then as he's about to or as he turns from right to center, Cut back to camera 1.
- Repeat throughout the sermon.
When a full image is shown on screen (it can be handy to be following a copy of the sermon, on your phone or printed out, to know when these are coming), press Take Front to show it to the live stream
- Count to 5 or otherwise give them a bit of time to look at it, then press PnP Front to put the picture in the corner
- Give it 10 seconds or so, then press End PnP to get rid of the picture
We often show scripture on the front screens long after it's been read
- If we put a verse up on screen, the pastor referenced it, and it's done, you can deactivate Key 1 by toggling the red "On" button above it to take the verse off the bottom of the screen
- You need to pay attention to when the front screens change to toggle the keyer back on

Communion

After the sermon is over, the pastor will pray and move down to the altar for communion. Sometimes he prays at the podium, then moves. Sometimes he moves first. It can be tricky to anticipate. It would obviously be best to ask and coordinate with him on what his plan for the day is.

When the sermon is wrapping up, adjust camera 3 to be able to see the entire path from the podium, down the stairs, and to the altar so you can show him walking down.
Set camera 2 to preset 0, so it's ready at the altar.
As soon as he moves, cut to camera 3 to show him walking down.
If you're thinking quickly, set camera 1 to preset 0 while he's walking so it's ready before he gets there. If you do, Preview camera 1 instead of 2.
Cut to your altar shot as soon as he gets there.
As he's breaking the bread, adjust camera 3 to get a wider shot that can show him giving the elements to people to his right (your left) and the opposite for camera 2.
As he starts giving the elements to people to hand out, cut to the shots that can get a better view of that.
Set camera 1 to preset 1, but tilt it down to focus on the center aisle.
When people start standing up, cut to camera 1.
Position cameras 2 and 3 on the communion stations to the pastor's left and right. Cut to one of them when you're ready.
Rotate between different shots of people taking communion.
As people are finishing up, get camera 1 back to preset 0.
Switch to camera 1 on the altar shot as the pastor is collecting elements and getting ready to pray. Stay on it during the prayer.
Set camera 2 to preset 6 or whomever is leading the final song.
Set camera 3 to preset 2 for a stage shot.
Cut to camera 2 or 3, if you were wrong about who to focus on, as soon as the pastor finishes praying, he starts walking away, and the music starts.

Final Song End

Don't stop just because the audience has been dismissed.

Keep showing the worship team as they play as people start leaving.
When the band finally finishes, hit FTB to fade to black.
Press STOP and OFF simultaneously to stop recording and sending the stream.
On the laptop, in YouTube, click End Stream to stop the stream.
Hit FTB again to get rid of the black effect.

Teardown

There's not much to the teardown process beyond the normal, wider teardown process.

Wait until they're ready to turn the front screens off before turning the power off.
Switch off the power strip on the top left of the board below the table to power everything off.
Cover the station with the correct cloth.