unsplash.com, Andrii Podilnyk
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”-Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
Not so long ago there were few resources for church filmmakers. And none of them centered around the church aspect of filmmaking specifically.
But the past two years have changed that.
In 2017 Church Production Magazine, through its event services arm, Church Production Live Events, began Capture Content Creation and Filmmaking Summit, holding the event at Hope Community Church in Apex, N.C., just outside Raleigh where the magazine is based. And already, the event is resonating with education- and connection-starved church film tech artists.
Following the calling
“What we do as church filmmakers and creatives has a big role to play in the church,” notes Capture 2018 attendee Jeremy Stevens, creative director at 3Circle Church in Fairhope, Ala. “You just got this overwhelming feeling from being there that our jobs serve a great purpose.”
Glen Antecki NOV 07, 2015
Jeremy Stevens, Creative Director, 3Circle Church, Fairhope, AL
“You just got this overwhelming feeling from being there that our jobs serve a great purpose.” Jeremy Stevens, Creative Director, 3Circle Church, Fairhope, AL
Video Production Manager Katie Horton with Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, N.C., attended the 2018 Capture event, as well. She notes a different kind of timbre at Capture when church filmmakers and content creators come together. “There’s no other industry that does exactly what we do. When creating content for the church, there’s specific challenges and objectives that aren’t considered in a general filmmaking or production conference.”
Out of hiding
Church techs involved in video and filmmaking ministries, like most other tech team members, are largely anonymous to congregants and other attendees. Their work is somewhat cloistered until a film is finished and appears for all on a video screen or wall. And even then those who view it rarely know who did what to produce it.
This masked man element may sit well with introverted technical types, but everyone needs human connection around shared interests.
This “masked man” element may sit well with introverted technical types, but everyone needs human connection around shared interests.
At Capture, all the church tech introverts come out and come together. There’s camaraderie and unspoken understanding.
Capture 2018 attendee Deepak Dhar, an independent filmmaker and videographer in the Raleigh area, puts it this way, “A lot of time church [film] techs spend is behind the scenes, either editing the videos or behind the camera. They rarely get a chance to interact with others and their work is always deadline-specific.”
Deepak Dhar, Independent Filmmaker and Videographer
“Learning how other people work in similar situations is a lifeline that should not be missed by any techs.” Deepak Dhar
On a practical note, Dhar hopes his Capture connections turn into a permanent gig: “I am hoping that some of those networking opportunities will result in me getting involved with a local church and working with them in their video/film department.”
Speaking the language
Stevens says that getting away from his church role for two days to attend Capture 2018 was a complete breath of fresh air. “There’s hands-on training, practical breakouts no matter your skill level, inspirational speakers who really connect with the hearts of other filmmakers, and friendships made.”
“My biggest challenge is figuring out how to meet my creative vision with limited resources. [Capture's] keynote session helped me realize that these constraints are only making me better at my craft." Katie Horton, Video Production Manager, Colonial Baptist Church, Cary, NC
Attendees reported finding answers and inspiration for nagging concerns. As Horton put it, “My biggest challenge is figuring out how to meet my creative vision with limited resources. Matthew Fridg’s keynote session helped me realize that these constraints are only making me better at my craft, and shouldn’t be viewed as constraints but as opportunities to focus my objective.”
Dhar reports learning how to improve both sound and lighting for his videos. And more specifically, he got to see church films that especially resonated with him and then “go behind the scenes” by having the videos’ directors explain their camera set up and how they achieved their shots.
Personal connections were also made with representatives from technology manufacturers that sponsored Capture 2018 and exhibited there, Dhar says. On hand to speak with attendees and personally demonstrate and answer questions about their gear were Canon, Arri, Hitachi, JVC, SlingStudio, Vimeo, Fujinon Film, and Panasonic.
Valuable down-time
But beyond the tech knowledge takeaway, Dhar again emphasizes the human element, “Learning how other people work in similar situations is a lifeline that should not be missed by any techs.”
For Horton, attending Capture gave her a way to both unplug and plug in. “Capture is a wonderful way to creatively reset, skillfully grow, and professionally network.”
“We were equipped with knowledge and inspired to do great things." Jeremy Stevens, Creative Director, 3Circle Church, Fairhope, AL
Stevens shares that he’s looking forward after attending Capture. “We were equipped with knowledge and inspired to do great things. I can’t wait to see what Capture turns into 10 years down the road as church techs across the country see what an impact it can have,” he closes, saying he plans to bring additional staff members and interns next year.
Learn more about the 2019 Capture summit here: https://capturesummit.com/.
