EastRidge Church
From 2020 to the end of 2023, I worked as a production Assistant at EastRidge Evangelical Missionary Church. My role allowed me to create many different kinds of media, including videos, photos and graphics, to aid in outreach and community service efforts.
Additionally, I was responsible for the production of each Sunday’s church live stream. From set-up to tear down, I was responsible for collaborating, communicating and running the stream. We started with utilizing Switcher Studio, a collection of iPhones and one DSLR camera to run the stream. Later, I helped build a more robust streaming system and trained volunteers on how to use it.
Projects
Below are a collection of projects I did while part of the EastRidge Church team.
In 2020, Eastridge Church decided to begin streaming its services online.
Throughout the years of my involvement, our team streamlined the recording process as we transitioned from online services to being back in-person after the pandemic. Our team worked to ensure each week goes smoothly as we continued to work towards the lead pastor’s vision.
I was involved in a number of processes that helped ensure the stream went smoothly including running the live switcher software and streaming software, setting up and running the DMX software (lighting), assisting the sound tech in wiring up the band when placements get moved, coordinating with the computer tech so they know what is being displayed and ensuring they are provided with the necessary media, and coordinating with the pastoral team to ensure the team is aware of the service’s order.
Throughout my time at EastRidge Church I worked with the pastors to build and implement a new streaming system as we began to push the limits of what we were capable of during live streaming. In the fall of 2023 our church moved from using Switcher Studio and iPhones to a more robust streaming set up which included a Roland V-8HD Switcher, 2 Canon PTZ cameras and a camera control unit, 2 SONY video cameras as well as an ATEM mini pro switcher to livestream.
With the new system in place I was then tasked with training the volunteers on how to run the new system before my departure at the end of 2023.
Since being brought onto the team in 2020, the quality of livestreams and the process for streaming improved. The increased stream quality aided in bringing in new attendees both in-person and online. The team’s work was also recognized by the EMCC (Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada) resulting in Eastridge Church being chosen to host the 2023 National Assembly of the EMCC.
In February 2022, the worship team at Eastridge Church came together to shoot a worship video. It was the first time the team had done anything like this and it was an opportunity to push the boundaries of what we could create.
The whole video was shot within the span of one evening. We recruited 2 additional people to help operate cameras alongside me, one of which was our associate pastor. The majority of the video was shot using iPhones while I operated the only DSLR (which was my own personal camera). We had at least 4 stationary cameras and 3 handhelds running simultaneously to capture the worship team.
There were a lot of things we learned throughout the process of creating this video. One major lesson was the importance of clearly planning out what shots we wanted to get and how we would need to shoot these in the future so that the editor (which also was me) doesn’t go cross-eyed when putting together the final video.
In the end, the video turned out well and was showcased at the Annual Meeting of Members.
In 2023 the team used what was learned in the previous year to film again.
Videos:
For Christmas ins 2022 and 2023 I was tasked with creating a short and cute video of some of the kids in the church. I acted as both Videographer and Editor for this project. I utilized 3 point lighting, DSLR cameras, Adobe Audition, Premiere Pro and creative storytelling to create the final videos.
Videos:
As of the pandemic, EastRidge Church began pre-recording the Baptism Testimonies. I acted as both Videographer and Editor for this project. I utilized 3 point lighting, DSLR cameras, lavelier microphones, zoom recorders, and Premiere to create the final videos.
Videos:
The full collection of Baptism videos can be viewed here.
Each Year for Father’s Day EastRidge Church created fun videos to celebrate. For two years we created a dad jokes competition video. For 2023 we asked kids some questions about their dads.
For both style of videos I acted as both Videographer and Editor.
For the Dad Jokes Videos I utilized Switcher Studio to allow for simultaneous multicamera recording. I used Premiere pro to edit together the multicamera sequences and create the final videos.
For the Kids Father’s Day video I utilized 3 point lighting, DSLR cameras, Adobe Audition, Premiere Pro and creative storytelling to create the final video.
Videos:
In the summer of 2022 EastRidge Church, for the first time ever, ran six weeks of summer programming (a sharp increase from the previous two weeks in the past). I was tasked with filming and editing recap videos for each week of programming that would be screened for the kids on Friday and the church congregation on Sunday.
These videos would also be used for promotions in the future.
Videos:
During the May long weekend, the junior and senior high youth groups attended Phoenix Fest in St. Catharines, Ontario. It had been over 2 years since the youth groups had attended a retreat due to the pandemic. Youth Groups across Ontario attended the event enjoying a time to fellowship, worship, and simply hang out together. After the retreat, Eastridge wanted a fun way to show people what the youth groups did at the retreat as well as have a video for them to remember the event.
Video: 2022 Phoenix Fest Video
As part of a 2022 marketing campaign for EastRidge’s Alpha program (a program for new Christians to connect with others, ask questions and learn more about the Bible), I created a short Testimony video.
