Tags
Broadcast, Calling, Camera, Consecrated, Faith, Film, filmmakers, God, Independent Film, Jesus, Sunday, The Holy Spirit
Calm. Swift. Smooth. As I maneuver my camera around during the Sunday morning broadcast at church, there is a certain method to my madness. When the director calls “Take [camera] 5,” I stand ready (or not) to put my camera into motion to enhance the overall broadcast during worship. On any given Sunday during this time, you can look at my camera and see me almost kneeling on the ground, hoisting my camera high, then possibly raise the monitor and controls above my head as I lower the camera for the perfect shot. Given the right opportunities, I will pan my camera, tilt my camera, zoom, lift, and other functions during my Sunday morning. I crane the camera around the guitar players to see the guy on the pads. I raise the camera above the drummer, capturing every beat in HD video. And I usually give it my ‘famous’ panoramic shot, revolving the camera around from the backs of the vocalists to their front. While I may not have had a film at Trail Dance this year, I do have this. My work is used in broadcasts that number 3 million views a month, and even though I am uncredited, its’ an honor. This is how I spend some of my Sunday.
God led me to this church in 2011. Four years ago this month. I came with the anticipation to help the media department with their Jubilee video announcements, a series of short films aired during our yearly Jubilee celebration in July to educate and entertain the multitude of visitors and members that attend. But little did I know that God had other plans, and I found myself working on the weekly broadcasts. Four years later, and with little exception, I can do or operate most everything up there. I started out charting and shading, making sure the camera shading met FCC Standards and in general, so the picture would look good. I later found myself managing the audio in the sanctuary, changing the lighting, or being a technical director (clicking the buttons on the board as the Director instructs). I have directed on two occasions, and had a great time both occasions. If they should call on me to direct in the future, I’m sure I wouldn’t turn them down. But generally, at least lately, my best work is done on camera. Most specifically, Camera 5. Camera 5 is mounted atop a large boom and can ease into the best crevices of the stage to capture the “perfect” shot.
I like to joke that if you are looking for me somewhere, just find the camera. I’m either operating it or commanding its’ attention. It brings me fulfillment to know that the talents God has given me are being used every week to bring Him glory, and use them as an extension of the service to those who are not able to attend in person. Beyond that, operating the cameras has given me a greater eye and skill for cinematography. Even though my last project was produced in 2012, a drastic difference in camera work can be witnessed even between Consumed and Consecrated. When I began Consumed, I had just begun operating cameras at church that month. So my experience was minimal. I really had no foundational understanding of cinematography at that point. In contrast, because of my experience with live broadcast and given the limitations of filming a high energy, high intensity dance scene in Consecrated, I stepped up and took hold of the camera. And in my obviously biased opinion, that particular scene is my favorite. The energy of the camera, the dancer, and the music mesh together in a very exciting scene. I had trouble cutting it down!
Your camera work is vital to the life of a film, since film at its’ core is a visual media. It’s important to incorporate an appropriate arrangement of color into the set design, choose the best lens to capture the feel of that scene, and decide what new, interesting, and effective way you can convey that emotion. And at its center, I do this on any given Sunday. Doing my best not to hit anyone with the camera head, I hold my breath to keep the movement smooth, and swivel the camera to attract the very best shot. And hopefully at the end, my talent is recognized with “Super cool shot, Camera 5!”
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. –1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV