worship celebration times:
What license permits churches to use film clips and pre-printed information during worship and other events? How do you obtain the license?
Churches are permitted to use certain film clips by securing a CVLI(Christian Video Licensing International) license. Ginghamsburg pays no more than $100 for its license. The cost, however, depends on the particular denomination and denomination grouping. The number of churches, denominations or conferences in the grouping determines license cost. A CVLI license covers most Hollywood studios/films (approximately 200 studios).
To obtain a CVLI license or for additional information, The web site address is www.cvli.org/cvli/index.cfm
The use of pre-produced or pre-published images (such as magazine images from Time or Newsweek) is covered under sections 107 and 110 of the copyright act which refer to fair use and the separation of church and state.
Recorded television broadcast clips are not used at all because, in order to pull this off, we would have to secure the clips by recording them at home and playing them back which is a violation of copyright.
What type of computer is used in the media ministry at Ginghamsburg Church?
While Ginghamsburg uses Macintosh computer systems, PC/IBM compatibles are adequate, as well. Mac systems, however, are ideal due to their user-friendly nature, which is helpful for training new people quickly. It is important to have a graphics accelerator card for your computer system, with video output on the card, for viewing graphics during live presentation.
How are videos presented during worship?
Videos created in-house are presented from videotape and not on the computer. Ginghamsburg uses a DVCAM format for our video playback. We typically shoot on the mini-DV tape format with a JVC GY DV500U camera and lens (cost is approximately $6,000) and then is taken from video to the computer (digitized) using a Sony DVCAM deck. Editing is done inside the computer and then back out to videotape for presentation. We don't recommend vendors/brands for cards and for specific equipment because technology changes so fast.
What type of editing system is used?
Our editing systems are Mac-based Final Cut Pro non-linear digital video editor. For video compositing/layering we use Adobe After Effects 5.0, which is best used for 2D animation and motion-layered video. After Effects is also used to compile 3D animations, which we create in Maxon Cinema 4D.
How are live shots taken during worship?
For live shots, we use 2-Sony 3-chip studio cameras set on pedestals with Tiffen fluid heads, wired through a 4-input digital effects video mixing board and then out to our projector and televisions. We also typically use our JVC DV500 for mobile floor cameras.
What type of hardware projection system do you use?
Because technology changes so rapidly, we hesitate to recommend specific brands of hardware projection systems. We have a high-end Sanyo PLC XP-45 projection system. Churches can buy projection systems, however, for about $10,000 that work fine. General rule of thumb: Hardware is never state of the art, but is never obsolete either. Working equipment always has a function. Here are some of the specifications of our projection system:
What software is used to create graphic images?
For creation of content and graphics, we use Adobe Photoshop, which is an image manipulation program. Plug-ins are value-added features for Photoshop that broaden its capabilities. Plug-in sets we utilize include KPT, Extensis Phototools and Eye Candy 3.0. We present using Microsoft PowerPoint.
Why not use more features contained within Power Point?
Our goal is not to create computer effects. We strive for a television look rather than a computer look because not everyone has a computer, but everyone does have a television - and people watch a lot of it! The television is the look they expect and the look we strive to achieve.
How is your screen positioned and why?
We use a single screen in the middle, which is good because of the congregation's line of sight. From every angle, the audience will be looking at the presenter and the screen simultaneously. We front project because of our facility's structure, but recommend rear projection if possible.
How is the media ministry structured?
We structure teams so the servants serve one entire weekend per month. By working with one crew all weekend, people know the worship celebration and perform their jobs well. Time slots make it impossible to improve because the crew changes and needs to be trained after each worship celebration.
We have nine people that run the celebration: 3 camera operators, computer operator, technical director, director, floor director, sound engineer, lighting engineer, and sound liaison. These people are formed into small groups so the ministry becomes task and nurturing at the same time.
Servants go through a formal training process and then do some hands-on assisted operations training before they go alone. The length of assistance time depends on the aptitude of the people involved.
