Church Video Tips Blog

Video Mixing Software and Hardware

Andrew — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:41:56 +0000

I have a collection of video loops, backgrounds, footage etc, and I like to mix/blend them during worship events, as “Worship VJ”.

I started mixing VHS tapes (eg the original Images for Worship VHS tapes from onbd.org), with a Panasonic MX50 mixer connected to a couple VHS players. This was great with lyrics keyed in over the top…. I started doing this about 12 years or so ago…

Now I have a growing collection of video files and have been looking for the best way to locate, mix and control video mixing of these files – mpgs, movs etc…

I have recently been using 2 laptops with their SVIDEO output connected to an Edirol video mixer, and then connect the output of the edirol to a projector.

However, I’ve been looking for a better solution, and I’ve decided on this:

Software Mixer: Arkaos Grand VJ

MIDI Controller: Livid Instruments Ohm64

They are currently on order, but the idea is, that the software can mix 8 channels of videos, and apply effects etc and more, and using the MIDI controller will make make the physical mixing/settings etc quick and easy…

I’ll post back with how it goes, I have an event on March 28 at which I’ll be using this…

Baby = Less Posts!

Andrew — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:42:19 +0000

On 3rd Jan Noah was born, and I’ve been rather busy since! I do have blog posts planned and drafted, but it will take a bit longer to get them online! So please excuse the lack of posts

Getting ready to launch MotionShare.com!

Andrew — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:52:52 +0000

Work is taking place to make MotionShare.com ready for launch! A few new graphics and logos need to be finished off…

MotionShare.com is a website where people can share videos that they have created – video loops, motion backgrounds, VJ video, countdowns etc can be uploaded and shared – the kind of videos that churches use and create. The other side, of course, is that it’s a place do download free media, without license and copyright problems… more is explained on the site.

Most things are working, eg Video uploads, Forum etc… We hope to launch mid/late January – in the mean time, you are able to register, upload and download videos…

Happy exploring!

Carol Service – Environmental Projection

Andrew — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:40:58 +0000

I’m not actually sure this can be classed as ‘environmental projection’, but the projection created a nice looking environment!

Anyway, this is what I did at our carol services this year…

As you can see in the images, our front wall has 5 arches (one with a wooden cross infront)- they actually used to be windows, but years ago we built behind the wall, and they are now filled in.

I created a mask, and edited some videos using the mask, so as to only project video in the arches, it was a great effect and people loved it!

I projected with a 5000 lumen Christie projector from the back of the room, the mask was actually made in OpenOffice Impress (the PowerPoint equivalent), only because I thought it was the quickest and easiest way to draw arches – I created the mask whilst at the church with the projector connected. I then exported the file as a jpeg and used it in Premiere and Photoshop to create the images and videos.

The photos show our usual projection which displayed lyrics, camera and other media during the services.

Click the photos below for a larger version – sorry for the poor quality, they were taken on my phone.

Snow falling

Stained Glass Nativity

Angels - during Hark the herald angel...

Animated star of Bethlehem

Candles flickering in the arches

Post a reply below if you have any questions or have done something similar yourself!

Woo – First video uploaded to motionshare.com!

Andrew — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:15:11 +0000

Even though the new MotionShare.com website is not yet launched, the first video that wasn’t made by me has been uploaded! Thanks to SkipG via the EasyWorship forums, there is now a free snow video loop!

Candle Videos to Download

Andrew — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:31:11 +0000

I’ve created a few candle videos – mainly as I wanted to use some this Christmas for some subtle environmental projection during some of our carol services… I’ve made some in to loops, you can download them from MotionShare. They are 720p (so high definition) in H264 format – feel free to remix/edit as you will! (there is also a PAL version on MotionShare of some of them too.)

Subtle & Simple Environmental Projection

Andrew — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:24:12 +0000

I thought I’d give environmental projection another go! This time, a bit more subtle and at a carol service…

Here I’m projecting images of a stained glass Christmas scene on to an otherwise blank wall, but I’ve masked out sections so that the image is only projected in the arches of the wall. An effective way to bring some Christmas decoration on to an otherwise empty wall!

Coming Soon – Video Sharing Site – help wanted!

Andrew — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:15:43 +0000

I think there is a need for a web site resource where people can upload and download video – all for free – aimed at churches and people who make videos, and perhaps only play them once or twice… perhaps there are people out there creating motion backgrounds or mini films that would love to share them with the world! Videos that can by used by VJ’s, as backgrounds to songs, as introductions to sermons, as meditations, etc etc etc…

A bit like a you tube site (without the legal restrictions – you do realise that you shouldn’t be playing you tube videos in church services?) but with the option to download the original video file…

If you’re interested, then let me know – leave a comment below!

Holy, Holy, Holy – Looping Video

Andrew — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:51:32 +0000

Holy

Here is a simple video I’ve made, it’s a variant of the original names of God video, but with just one word repeated many time, the word Holy.

The video will loop seamlessly. I’ll also add a PAL version as well as the Premier project shortly. It’s seen here, projected on to a church building!

You can download and use it for free! – feel free to leave a comment…

Download: Holy - text looping (46)

Top 5 Downloads:

All Videos:

Projecting on to Buildings

Andrew — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:35:21 +0000

Well, a friend and I were bored this evening, so we thought we’d try projecting on to the front of our Church building… why not!Our church building is on a busy junction and one idea we had was that we could project something at Christmas time, and decided to try it out to see what it’s like.

The Results

I wasn’t overly pleased with the results but I think it’s workable, here’s what it was like:

Church building projection (Click for larger view)

I used a 5,000 lumen Christie projector with a 0.8 wide angle lens – as there isn’t much space between the building and the pavement and road. Unfortunately there are quite a few street lights around, and the closest one does a good job of lighting the building too!

Tips

Here are some tips and notes if you are thinking of doing something like this, and have less that a perfect environment:

Simple Black and White images/text works best
Our brick is red/brown, and projection still works
Pull down the blinds on windows – otherwise you project on to the room inside which distorts the projection
If you have large windows and less brick work, then turn off the inside lights (if possible)
Fast moving video is eye-catching
Colour doesn’t really come out well, black on white or white on black is best.
Projecting at the top of the building is better, as there is less ambient light up there – as well as being more noticeable in the street.
Use video/text that is clear and sharp – a video of fire just looked odd, as it wasn’t clear what it was!

The main 2 things that can improve this and give more scope for what can be projected are: more powerful projectors, and less ambient lighting – this would make the best projection setting!

I will now think how we can use this in the future…

Other people are doing this much better than I, take a look at WorshipVJ.com for starters!