For clarity, we will refer to specific cameras by their assigned number.

1: Stationary go-to on-center camera (Lead vocal/speaker)

2: Right Track camera (transition moments)

3: Left Track Camera (transition moments)

4: Left Floor camera (Keys/electric guitar)

5: Stage camera (Drums)

6: Right Floor Camera (Vocalists/Acoustic guitars)

CUES

Before your camera goes live, the switcher gives two cues.

First cue. 

The switcher will say your camera number to indicate the upcoming switch. Use this time to make any necessary adjustments to your shot.

Second cue. 

The switcher will say your camera number to indicate that the switch has been made and your camera is live.

Example cue: “Two . . . and two.”

SOME GOOD REMINDERS:

Get to your spot at least 3 minutes before the service begins. Use that time to check your batteries, connections, and make sure you can hear the switcher clearly. 

Constantly be aware of your focus, clarity is a high priority, so make sure a shot is clear, otherwise we probably won't cut to your camera. 

Ask questions. If you have any questions, please reach out to Hugh - 570.847.7474

We want to help you improve your camera skills and knowledge!

SETTING A GOOD SHOT CONSTANTLY

Here are some practical guidelines for setting a shot that looks great.

Fill the shot. Try to avoid dead space. A little padding is good, but too much

empty space makes a shot distracting. Use good framing techniques to fill as

much of the shot with content as possible.

Add expression. You should think about moments.  Is there low energy coming from the stage or in the room due to a soft instrumental moment or a quiet verse?  A great opportunity to slow down!  Is there a lot of volume in the room and the drums are firing like crazy?  Think energy, adding a little bit of movement. For the Track Cameras, this is your chance to really get some speed!

Use the rule of thirds. Think about the frame as if it were divided into thirds. In

general, we want the subject centered horizontally in the middle third with his/her

face centered vertically in the top third. This should stay consistent whether the

shot is wide or tight. Track camera will have some variation here as they move.

Keep in mind that we use the lower third of the screen for lyrics and sermon

points. Anything in the bottom third of your shot might be hidden, so frame

important content in top and middle.

Following a subject. As the speaker moves across the stage, you pan the

camera to follow him. But if you follow too soon, the shot can look jerky—too

much back-and-forth movement makes it distracting. If you follow too late, it’s

also distracting—people might worry whether the camera will follow him at all.

Here’s a good rule of thumb. Treat the vertical third lines as “bumpers.” If the

speaker’s head hit one of these bumpers, start panning to follow. This gives

you a good margin of natural movement before you feel the need to start moving

your camera.

CINEMATOGRAPHY TERMS

Lastly, some terms you might hear the switcher use to guide your shots.

Pan. Panning means physically turning the camera either horizontally or vertically. When Pastor Steve walks from side to side, you pan horizontally to follow him. Do not pan vertically unless making adjustments when you are not live.

Zoom. Zooming means using the camera’s actual zoom function to go closer or further in a shot. This should only be used for adjustments when you are not live, not for motion when live.

Wide. A wide shot is a shot that is zoomed-out. If you’re asked for a wider shot, wait until you are no longer live, then zoom out to the desired width.

Tight. A tight shot is a shot that is zoomed-in. If you’re asked for a tighter shot, wait until you are no longer live, then zoom in to the desired width.

Focus. Using the far ring on your camera lens, make sure your subject is in focus. The Black Magic Cameras will all show red dots indicating what is in focus currently. 

This shot is an example of usable rule-of-thirds framing. The subject is perfectly centered and their face is in the top-middle third.  This same framing should be applied to every camera, in any given situation, at all times.

This shot is an example of unusable rule-of-thirds framing. The subject is off level and underexposed.  This framing is unusable and the camera operator should constantly be adjusting their camera to keep centered rule-of-thirds and a a well lit usable shot.