Camera Placement | Analyzing Your Cut

In part one of this three part series, Rusty Anderson and Addie Wanner from Bayside Church, discuss camera placement. They explore strategic camera placement, and how it reveals the directorial choices that contribute to a dynamic worship experience. The discussion also shows how these choices create an immersive worship experience, emphasizing the balance between technical execution and creative vision. Key Points: Bayside Church uses a mixture of RED Komodo Cameras and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras, mounted in different ways. This allows for diverse shot types and angles. The set up includes a variety of camera positions. Some are center line tripods, dollies, handheld rigs, pedestals, and stage roamers. This diversity in camera positions allows for coverage ranging from wide shots of the stage to some, more intimate, close-ups of the worship leaders and musicians. Rusty and Addie’s discussion highlights the importance of incorporating audience shots. This enhances the feeling of community and participation. Doing so aims to make online viewers feel as if they are part of the congregation. Rusty and Addie also discuss challenges faced when establishing camera placements. For example, if there’s an on stage roamer, it’s important to note that their movement may be distracting. Finding effective use for certain cameras during worship maintains the desired cinematic feel. Addie talks through her preference for capturing crowd engagement. She values the spontaneous moments that arise during worship, which add depth and authenticity to the viewing experience. The use of different lenses and camera controls to achieve desired shots is important. Strategic decisions behind camera movements and cuts helps to maintain visual interest.