Hold steady. Do not reframe unless directed.
Studio Cameras
Build a steady, ready shot.
Listen to the director, make moves while off-air, settle the frame, and protect it when tally turns red.
Give the director a finished shot, not a shot still being built.
Say “not ready” rather than sending a bad shot live.
Camera assignments
Know the purpose of your position.
1
Primary close
Speaker or main singer. Hold a steady medium or close shot.
Speaker · worship leader2
Safe wide
Dependable room or stage-wide shot and the default fallback.
Room · movement · recovery3
Side close-ups
Alternate close-ups that complement Camera 1.
Side angle · worship detailService workflow
Choose the current phase.
1Before service
Put on the headset, verify intercom and tally, unlock movement, and build a safe starting shot.
2Worship
Follow your assigned subject, anticipate movement, and settle before the director takes you.
3Speaking
Favor stable medium or close shots. Avoid unnecessary zooms while the speaker is talking.
4Sermon
Stay with the speaker and protect focus. Camera 2 remains the dependable wide option.
5Communion
Use calm, respectful compositions and follow the director’s specific assignments.
6Closing
Return to worship coverage, then hold the final shot until the director releases you.
Director cues
Respond simply and clearly.
Finish movement and focus, then hold.
You are live. Watch red tally and stay steady.
Keep the current composition.
You are off-air and may prepare a new shot.
Adjust smoothly while off-air unless told otherwise.
Say it clearly before a bad shot is taken live.
Something went wrong?
Protect the live shot first.
Lost focus, unclear tally, failed intercom, or resistant controls: hold the safest stable picture available and tell the director immediately. Never force the tripod or controls.