Livestream

Online Training:

There is no specific online training, however we do recommend that you download OBS to your home computer (as it is free) and play around with it so it becomes familiar. You can also watch YouTube videos about OBS as well.

In-Person Training:

You will be given the opportunity to shadow our livestream techs for a few Sundays and gradually take more responsibility for the livestream each week. You must demonstrate your competencies before operating solo.

At First Naz we use the following livestream equipment/software. Please ensure you have at least done a basic Google search on each of these items.

• Windows 10 (soon to be Windows 11)
• OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
• Google Chrome
• PTZ cameras: we currently have two IP cameras controlled via an OBS plugin
• Roland V-1SDI switcher: for monitoring and switching between our various video sources
• Elgato StreamDeck: for running some livestream Lower Thirds
• LightShark: to control in-house lighting

Our livestream tech sends video to two locations:

• YouTube: you need to ensure that the YouTube Studio tab is open in Chrome so you can not only monitor the health of the stream but also respond to engaged viewers in the chat
• Foyer TV: you need to ensure that you are sending to the Foyer TV. If it is not sending, you need to right click on the Program screen of OBS and choose Fullscreen Projector (Program) and choose the second video output. Confirm by checking the Foyer TV

Our livestream tech sends audio to only one location, our livestream. Keep an eye on the audio meter at the bottom of OBS to ensure that the signal is strong enough (should stay around the top of the green and float in the yellow).

Pre-Service

• Mid-week communication: check PCO services to see what sort of things will be happening during the upcoming Sunday service. Note if there are any special speakers, events (like communion, baby dedication, missions offering), or video elements.

Pre-Service (Sunday)

• Arrive on time. The schedule is listed in PCO Services and below. If you are going to be late, call the Director of Operations to let him know. Life happens, but try to not make a habit of being late.
• Review the service schedule. A printed copy will be available at the Production Booth. Feel free to take notes and mark up your copy.
• Typically your equipment will already be on, but if not, you need to:
  • turn on livestream PC
  • log in to the Livestream user account
  • open Google Chrome and open two tabs (LightShark and YouTube studio)
  • turn on the Roland switcher
  • open OBS and activate the IP camera controller
  • turn on the Foyer TV
  • confirm you are receiving an audio signal from the audio tech
• Begin setting and confirming your presets for all video sources
• Take notes as the band practices each song. Note especially any solos or instrumental interludes.
• Activate the livestream (while in communication with audio tech) once the pre-service slideshow begins. Check to make sure the livestream is actually running on YouTube studio.
• Confirm the local recording has started. We use this as a backup in case the livestream goes down.

Service Time:

• Anticipate what is going to happen on stage and be ready to respond quickly.
• In general, it is good practice to use one camera for close & mid shots while reserving the other camera as a “safe” that you can switch to anytime.
• Know how to frame your shots. HERE is a great guide.
• Don’t sit on a shot for too long. Keep things dynamic for the viewers.

Post-Service

• End the livestream immediately so that any in-house music doesn’t make it onto YouTube.
• Turn off the cameras
• Activate the “Main Lights” switch on the wall behind you
• Turn off the lights in LightShark
• Turn off the foyer TV
• Lock the computer (Win+L)

It can be tough to know if you are doing a good job if you don’t know what is expected of you, so here are a few things a great livestream tech will do:

1. Desire. I want people who have the desire and drive to work in live video production. These are people who understand the demands, the stress, the time requirements, and level of dedication. These are the people who love live video and doing whatever it takes.
   Tip: Spend time shadowing other techs and learning from them.
2. Ability to think on your feet. If you aren’t familiar with this phrase, it means you are able to think quickly and react quickly when unexpected things happen. Working in live video production, anything can happen and I’ve got a host of stories to prove it. I want someone who can stay calm during high-pressure moments when the unexpected happens and can follow along with last minute or unannounced changes.
   Tip: You can learn to think on your feet. Come up with five events that could happen during a service that you wouldn’t expect, such as a wired microphone going dead, and work out how you’d deal with the problem.
3. Ever-improving. There is always something you can do better. It might be a better way of framing a shot or a better way of timing shot transitions. I’m not saying you can’t be happy with your work. I want people to be happy with the quality of their work but I also want them to realize they always have room to grow.
4. Always learning. Much like ever-improving, I want techs who are active learners. Techs who read blogs and books on video production so they can improve their own work.
5. Learns from mistakes. If you can’t learn from your mistakes, then you aren’t going to be the best livestream tech you can be.
6. Team player / take direction. I want techs who work as a team with other techs, with the band, and with church leaders. I want techs who can take direction.
7. Professionalism. It’s the same expectation the pastor has on you and the worship leader has on you. Focused. Dedicated. Pro-active. Professional. I’m all for having fun in the production booth and enjoying my job. I can do that while remaining professional. I can laugh and joke but I’m not going to be checking Facebook or talking to my wife on the phone when I should be working.

From AUDIO ESSENTIALS FOR CHURCH SOUND by CHRIS HUFF COPYRIGHT 2012 For more information visit BEHINDTHEMIXER.COM