“We want to grow and improve how we do what we do as technology improves and our congregation grows.” Justin Firesheets, Technical Production Manager at Church of the Highlands
Justin Firesheets and the rest of the production team at Church of the Highlands (COTH) strive to push the boundaries of effective communication. They are driven by curiosity and consistently exploring new ways to connect their content to their people. We like the way they think.
COTH sanctuary is a big one; 2,500 seats to be exact. Justin notes that one of the challenges of a large sanctuary is figuring out ways to connect with the audience. “You can communicate to people or you can connect with them. We want the latter,” he explains. The production staff wanted the congregation to feel emotionally involved with what was happening on the stage, however their IMAG screen set-up (the two screens on either side of the stage) required people to turn their attention away from the stage.
While connecting with the people in the room was just one goal for the Highlands staff, they were also keen on connecting with their online audience. Again, Justin offers a compelling reason, “We want them to feel like they’re in the room and part of the atmosphere.” While COTH had three cameras on tripods stationed throughout the sanctuary, it was not producing the video feel that they were hoping for.
Clark has a history of working with Church of the Highlands and we were more than honored to design a solution and help them navigate their screen and camera options. They especially appreciated that we set forth multiple options to allow them the freedom to be flexible as well as stay within their budget. Here’s what we did:
We designed and installed three banner screens to the stage in order to create a visual experience that would draw the congregation’s eyes right where they ought to be. It’s also a platform that Justin and other creatives at COTH can build upon in the future: tying in the projectors for these new screens with the video system. Camera shots could go directly to those screens, enlivening the graphics routine.
We designed and installed a new jib camera to allow both wide shots and tight shots; angles and expressions that couldn’t be captured with the tripod-mounted cameras are now possible. One can sit at the back of the room and feel like he or she is part of the action.
“[Clark] moved lots of pieces of a jigsaw puzzle” to make the install happen, said Justin. Witnessing the finished product made every move worth it – we hope you’d agree.
