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May 2012

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Preventing the Easter Pageant Nightmare

Don't take chances and try to "wing it." Create a shot list during rehearsals.

by Phil Cooke

Every spring, church media producers across the country begin a time-honored and terrifying ritual: "the church Easter pageant." These local, church-sponsored theatrical presentations are usually videotaped for archives or bookstore sales, and although everyone begins the process with high hopes, they often leave media producers weeping, or screaming hysterically promising never to do it again. Most producers are nearly finished working on this year's presentation, but in an effort to help you keep both your sanity and family intact, here are a few tips from the Cooke Pictures archives to make this -or next Easter season-a little more joyful:

1 IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START YOUR PREPARATION. Year after year, producers wait until the last minute, thinking, "I'll let the music director do all of his work first." Nothing could be worse. Start planning early. Get your hand on a script and music as early as possible, and start thinking about staging and shooting. Certainly things will change, but experienced producers and directors know it's easier to change an existing plan than create one from scratch at the last minute.

2 BRING YOUR CREW INTO THE PROCESS EARLY, AS WELL. Start generating excitement and ideas from your volunteers and crew members. They usually want to offer suggestions and ideas but are rarely asked. Remember, you don't have to take all their ideas, but being a good listener motivates them to be a stronger part of the team and creates a better attitude.

3 HELP THE MUSIC DIRECTOR UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "STAGE LIGHTING" AND "TELEVISION LIGHTING. " What's the point of going to the trouble and expense of shooting the Easter pageant if your end product's video level won't register? Help the music director understand the limitations of the camera. Don't be obnoxious or "know it all," just work with him or her and help them understand. Also-be sensitive to the spirit and vision of the music director. Supplement the lighting where necessary, but do your best not to "blast" the stage and ruin the dramatic experience.

4 CREATE A SHOT LIST. Most church media directors try to "wing it" and hope they can stay on top of things during the performance. Don't take chances. Create a shot list during the rehearsals, so when you get to the actual performance you can relax a little and concentrate on the timing of your cuts and dissolves. Certainly there will be changes and adjustments, but that's minor compared to all the screaming and yelling you'll have to do if you're not prepared. And speaking of that...

5 STOP SCREAMING AND YELLING. A screaming director is a director who has run out of ideas. Every crew member on your team loses a little respect for you the minute you start yelling. Learn to control your temper, and guide your crew through the program with encouragement, strong leadership skills, and creative ideas and suggestions.

6 KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "CUTS" AND "DISSOLVES." Cuts and dissolves to a professional television director are like periods and commas to a writer. They are the visual grammar that makes the scene work. They express two completely different feelings and emotions, so don't mix them up. Remember-cuts are sharp and make the scene move. Dissolves are softer, slower, and on the "warm and fuzzy" side. Understand how to use them effectively, and your programs will instantly make a giant leap forward.

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Phil Cooke is a writer, speaker, filmmaker, and media consultant whose work focuses on helping clients create platforms for influencing culture and getting their voices heard.