VonTraining.net Forum

[Gail Haraldson]

Hi all,

I've been asked by my church to produce a DVD promoting the church that can be given to new members. It is their desire that the DVD include the church's history, missions, ministries, membership involvement, member's community involvement, adult and children's ministry, and a few others that you might expect.

I've never done anything like this. Does anyone have experience with this kind of project? I'm looking for tips on production, script writing, ideas on how to make it interesting to watch, or other options entireley. Has anyone done anything like this? I'd appreciate all the help I can get.

Thanks,
Gail
gail@visual-creations.com
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Gail Haraldson
www.Visual-Creations.com

[Mark Von Lanken]

Hi Gail,

It doesn't look like other have had much experience in this type of production, including Trisha and I.

I think one of the biggest challenges is making short, but at the same time comprehensive. If the DVD was for visitors, I think it would have to be very short, but since it is for new members, it can go a little longer.

As far as script writing, I would do a google search.
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All My Best,
Mark Von Lanken
www.VonTraining.com

[PenWeddings]

Hey Gail,

I work for my church and was very involved here even before I started my job here. While I've not done a video exactly like this, I've done enough promotional pieces and commercials to notice one big thing... we enter the process as producers/cinematographers, so what may be first on our mind may not be the same as the church leaders.

For example, I recently did a commercial for our church's private Christian school. There was some group discussion in the beginning, but for the most part it was my baby. I come back with a draft and two people ask, "Why did we put the music kid first? We're not a fine arts school. Our academics & athletics should be first." The spot featured six kids each with a line to read, some more specific than others. I was thinking about how it would look (didn't want to open with the shot of the kid in the jersey) and how the script flowed (didn't make sense to have the cute 1st grader say his 5 words first). Not once did I think there would be an issue with the first kid being connected to music.

Okay, so long answer to a short point (something I'm very good at). Meet with someone with your church to make sure they can paint a very clear picture for you of what their vision is, and what points are important to them to get across. The school commercial is just one example something that's happened multiple times... I produce something I think is great, and someone comes back with some weird thing I'd never think of like, "bobby sue had an issue in that Sunday school room 40 years ago so we really shouldn't show it."

[Colby Knight]

Gail... if I woke up in your shoes tomorrow I wouldn't write a script for voice-over. Instead I'd interview those 'in the know' and let THEM tell the story. Then you could play connect-the-dots (or 'connect the sound-bites) so that they're doing all the talking and explaining the church's history.

I agree with keeping it SHORT. If it gets long, people tune out, start checking their watch, returning texts, etcs. Short and simple and too the point! If 'Goldilocks and the 3 bears' were a 10 minute story, I'd slit my wrists!

Throw some appropriate music underneath and you could probably have yourself a nice looking presentation... and paycheck!
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www.knightvideo.com