November 14, 2010

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This week, we stripped down the visual set and used mostly still images, both to mix it up a bit, and to highlight a Visual Liturgy piece we were using that correlated with the main text of the sermon. NOTE: All of the song and image/video titles include links to a reference song, or the actual media content we used in the set.

SING TO THE KING

  • Flower & Butterfly Blue Still (Igniter Media) - This nature-themed still image with linen fabric feel highlights elements such as clouds, grass, butterflies and flowers.

OUR GOD

THE STAND

  • First Half: Sundown Still (Igniter Media) - This grungy image of a sunset is the darker companion to the second still image used later in this song.
  • Instrumental Break After Chorus: Transfiguration (The Work of the People) - The text for this visual liturgy piece comes from Matthew 17, and uses visual imagery of mountaintop aerial shots and clouds to paint the scene Peter, James and John witnessed with Jesus, Moses and Elijah.
  • Ending: Sunrise Still (Igniter Media) - This grungy image of a sunrise is the lighter companion to the still image used earlier in this song.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

(NOTE: We created our own arrangement of this tune, so this recording does not necessarily reflect the energy or flow of the song from this set.)

  • Grunge Frame Red Flare Still (Igniter Media) - This image is fairly abstract, but the use of images that appear off-axis compared to the perfectly horizontal/vertical screens provide a nice touch.

October 31, 2010

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As a visual worship leader, I’m continually asked about what footage I use during a set, and specifically why some of the clips have been chosen. In addition, now that we’re beginning to use much more scripture during the set, (thanks in large part to Travis Reed and the brilliance behind the Visual Liturgy series over atTheWorkOfThePeople.com) we’re now asked about the Bible references of clips used during the set. This weekend was an incredible time at @rhcc, with mad props to @chadjarnagin, @LanaeHale and @SKafoure, and the amazing band.

SING TO THE KING

  • Natural Vibe (Non-Titled) (Highway Video) - While the constant change of scenery and tempo of this video allows it to be used without much tweaking, I did find it necessary to jump around to other portions of the video to enhance big musical moments in the song.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

  • Calibrate (No Text) (worshipVJ) - I started this clip somewhere between 3 and 4 minutes in, which gave a couple of extra minutes of footage by the time this song ended. Since this tune and the next flowed right into one another, I continued to let this roll into the next song.

WITH EVERYTHING

NOTE: Since we started using this song a couple of weeks ago, we’ve only used the first 2 verses, chorus and bridge, which does leave out some portions of the song, but leaves a nice 6-7 minute tune with lots of space to play.

  • Intro & Chorus: Calibrate (No Text) (worshipVJ) - This clip is a continuation from the last tune. The imagery toward the end of this video uses a candle-lit closeup of the cross. ‘let hope rise and darkness tremble in Your holy light, that every eye would see Jesus our God…’.
  • Verses & Chorus: Rain Vibe (Non-Titled) (Highway Video) - Dark, rainy footage with some nice light filters captures the quietness of this bit of the song. ‘open our eyes…to be the church…Your light to be seen’
  • Break before quiet Bridge: Psalm 121 (TWOTP) - Using the first 10sec of this visual liturgy, and smoothly restarting it as needed poses a question arising from the earlier verses, from Psalm 121:1 ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come?’ 
  • Quiet Bridge: Psalm 121 Loop (TWOTP) - This loop keeps the visual harmony between the Psalm 121 question, and a quiet, thoughtful response ‘with everything we will shout for Your glory’. While starting softly, the music continues to build underneath the bridge, an impending explosion of energy going into the next musical break.
  • Break after Bridge: Restored Fortune (TWOTP) - Upon the explosion of sound arising from the bridge, this Visual Liturgy from Zephaniah 3 calls us to‘Sing…shout…rejoice…for the LORD has turned back your enemies…takes great delight in you…rejoices over you with singing…’ At this point, the band is singing the ‘wooahs’ and lyrics from the bridge are used one line at a time, if needed. Good communication between the visual worship leader and musical worship leader is key at these times, to keep us both dancing together without stepping on one another’s toes (ie - dumping out of this huge moment before the scripture has ended, or at an awkward moment)
  • Quiet Ending: Blurred Colored Candles (Highway Video) - Since this loop is only 15sec long and isn’t a smooth loop, care needs to be taken in order to continually restart this video to dissolve into itself before a hard-restart. As the song comes in for a quiet landing, this clip of small lights brings us full-circle to themes of hope rising and light coming from the darkness.

YOUR LOVE IS STRONG

  • Verse 1: Majesty Vibe (Non-Titled) (Highway Video) - This video starts off with clips of sunrises and sunsets, as well as 2 great shots of the sun arching down and out of frame, crossed with the moon arching up and out of frame. ‘You give me the food I need to live through the day…’ NOTE: The version of this video I use has been slowed down between 25-35% and also has been edited to exlude a brief clip of a fetus (Great visual for the original purpose of this video, not awesome for random VJing.)
  • Verse 2a: Genesis 9 Loop (TWOTP) starting at 2:16 - Beautiful slo-mo shot of a hummingbird feeding at a flower. ‘I walk to the meadow, the birds are composing…’ NOTE: I know that MOST hummingbirds don’t sing, but it’s a beautiful clip.
  • Verse 2b:  Genesis 9 Loop (TWOTP) starting at 1:42 - Slo-mo shot of raindrops hitting flowers. ‘I stare at the flowers, better dressed than any girl on her wedding day…’  By the time the pre-chorus rolls around, the shot moves back into foreboding clouds. ‘why do i worry?…’
  • Chorus: Skies Vibe (Highway Video) starting at 1:48 - Arial fly-over shots and moving clouds bring a happy and moving visual to this chorus. Jump around throughout this video as needed. NOTE: I edited a couple of shots out of this video, namely someone holding a baby in the air. Personal preference.
  • Verse 3: Road Trip (TWOTP) Footage taken while driving along country highways provide a backdrop for the now-driving beat and themes of this verse. ‘The Kingdom of the heavens is now advancing. Invade my heart, invade this broken town…’
  • Chorus: Skies Vibe (Highway Video) starting at 1:48 - Arial fly-over shots and moving clouds bring a happy and moving visual to this chorus. Jump around throughout this video as needed. NOTE: I edited a couple of shots out of this video, namely someone holding a baby in the air. Personal preference.
  • Bridge: God Is Near Vibe (Non-Titled) (Highway) starting at 3:30 - This fast-paced footage of nature, skies, people, animals (yes, the hummingbird shows up) and assorted other goodies harmonizes perfectly with the loud, driving bridge that is the raddest use of the Lord’s Prayer ever ‘Our God in heaven, hallowed be Thy name above all names. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us weary sinners. Keep us far from our vices and deliver us from these prisons.’
  • End:  Majesty Vibe (Non-Titled) (Highway Video) - starting about 3/4 the way through this video. The slow-moving footage of stars, water, skies and other natural elements brings a softness to the experience, as the song begins to float and come in for a landing. NOTE: This is still the version of this video that’s been slowed down 25-35%.