Great Video. We currently have 5 cameras. There are traditional larger broadcast cameras and two box cameras on the stage. We are looking to add PTZ cameras to the mix to get more creative content for the online audience
So in our services we don’t have drums, guitar players, bass players. We have a song leader congregational singing, a preacher at a pulpit, and a Power point presentation. Now can we get by with one camera? Going to split the video that goes to the projector that projects slides on the screen to go to eCamm live. Set up scenes for PowerPoint slide alone. Preacher alone. Preacher left smaller with power point right.
For main camera: The widest zoom on the PTZ should cover the widest view of the stage/room to get an idea of the audience/congregation. Close enough so you can zoom in to the smallest area of interest eg. shoulder+head of speaker/leader, guitar neck. Most zoom lenses will have a smaller aperture (Fstop) when fully zoomed in so if you only used the 30% to 100% zoom range you need more light & other compromises. Extra cameras don't need room wide views.
I wouldn't put the cameras on the left and right. It's only good for songs, when you switch between different people. If you have one preacher, switching from left to right looks bad. It's like this dialogue, but with yourself. It's better to put the cameras on one side of the center of the room. As if on one side of the line of dialogue between the preacher and the audience, even if it's not formally a dialogue
Excellent explanation! Thanks for sharing! Im intrigued how youre able to write on screen, how did you accomplish that? Is that an app? Thanks for responding
I am glad he is discussing the issue, but he is wrong about changing shots every 1-2 seconds. They do that for action movies, but not for every kind of show or movie. I have clocked it. For talking heads, commentators, it is about every 20-30 seconds, sometimes longer. For music, it varies based on the speed of the music, but generally every 3-8 seconds.
Your guide for slower switching speeds is better. I find changing shot every 2 to 3 seconds tiring to watch. Some with disabilities and many older people especially as vision & cognition declines. I don't want to be distracted that much when I'm focused on singing along and when listening to the sermon.
Frame changes must occur precisely at the right moment, tailored to what is happening in the broadcast. Adhering to arbitrary time rules, such as switching every 2-3 seconds or 20-30 seconds, is ineffective. The broadcast director actively watches and listens, ready to adapt. If a guitar begins playing, the director decides what should be shown. When applause is heard, a wide shot may be appropriate. Similarly, if a sermon is directed toward the audience, switching to a broader frame can enhance the connection. I emphasize the importance of speed with my team, as it helps keep the video dynamic and engaging. However, a church production team may not be able to meet that 2-3 second switching pace due to the necessary time for instructions and adjustments. Without a focus on working quickly, production naturally slows down, leading to switch intervals stretching to 2-3 minutes or even 5-10 minutes, which I've observed before. Long, static shots can be more tedious for viewers than frequent switches. Modern audiences are accustomed to fast-paced dynamics, thanks to television, cinema, and RUclips. If switchovers feel jarring, it likely indicates that the frame choice or timing isn't optimal. Infrequent switching can cause the camera operator to lose focus, so maintaining a dynamic flow is essential for viewer engagement.
This is amazing video, great perspectives to get the camera and video directors to begin story telling through the camera
Great Video. We currently have 5 cameras. There are traditional larger broadcast cameras and two box cameras on the stage. We are looking to add PTZ cameras to the mix to get more creative content for the online audience
So in our services we don’t have drums, guitar players, bass players. We have a song leader congregational singing, a preacher at a pulpit, and a Power point presentation. Now can we get by with one camera? Going to split the video that goes to the projector that projects slides on the screen to go to eCamm live. Set up scenes for PowerPoint slide alone. Preacher alone. Preacher left smaller with power point right.
"Box camera"? Where can I get one of those?
how far is the ideal placement for a PTZ camera to the stage to maximise the quality of the video?
For main camera: The widest zoom on the PTZ should cover the widest view of the stage/room to get an idea of the audience/congregation. Close enough so you can zoom in to the smallest area of interest eg. shoulder+head of speaker/leader, guitar neck. Most zoom lenses will have a smaller aperture (Fstop) when fully zoomed in so if you only used the 30% to 100% zoom range you need more light & other compromises.
Extra cameras don't need room wide views.
I wouldn't put the cameras on the left and right. It's only good for songs, when you switch between different people. If you have one preacher, switching from left to right looks bad. It's like this dialogue, but with yourself. It's better to put the cameras on one side of the center of the room. As if on one side of the line of dialogue between the preacher and the audience, even if it's not formally a dialogue
Excellent explanation! Thanks for sharing! Im intrigued how youre able to write on screen, how did you accomplish that? Is that an app? Thanks for responding
Just using an iPad app, drawing on green and keying it out in the software. :)
I am glad he is discussing the issue, but he is wrong about changing shots every 1-2 seconds. They do that for action movies, but not for every kind of show or movie. I have clocked it. For talking heads, commentators, it is about every 20-30 seconds, sometimes longer. For music, it varies based on the speed of the music, but generally every 3-8 seconds.
You can air your view without saying he's wrong
Your guide for slower switching speeds is better.
I find changing shot every 2 to 3 seconds tiring to watch. Some with disabilities and many older people especially as vision & cognition declines.
I don't want to be distracted that much when I'm focused on singing along and when listening to the sermon.
Frame changes must occur precisely at the right moment, tailored to what is happening in the broadcast. Adhering to arbitrary time rules, such as switching every 2-3 seconds or 20-30 seconds, is ineffective. The broadcast director actively watches and listens, ready to adapt. If a guitar begins playing, the director decides what should be shown. When applause is heard, a wide shot may be appropriate. Similarly, if a sermon is directed toward the audience, switching to a broader frame can enhance the connection.
I emphasize the importance of speed with my team, as it helps keep the video dynamic and engaging. However, a church production team may not be able to meet that 2-3 second switching pace due to the necessary time for instructions and adjustments. Without a focus on working quickly, production naturally slows down, leading to switch intervals stretching to 2-3 minutes or even 5-10 minutes, which I've observed before. Long, static shots can be more tedious for viewers than frequent switches.
Modern audiences are accustomed to fast-paced dynamics, thanks to television, cinema, and RUclips. If switchovers feel jarring, it likely indicates that the frame choice or timing isn't optimal. Infrequent switching can cause the camera operator to lose focus, so maintaining a dynamic flow is essential for viewer engagement.