Automation in Worship by Kevin Poole
. This may be a next stage for us. I’m not saying we would automate every camera dissolve, but perhaps we could automate a cut when video playback starts so that first frame of the video is not missed. We haven’t yet seen a need for this.
There are other ways to fire video playback such as via a midi note. Some would say this is an appropriate method in this kind of workflow. This has one fatal flaw in my mind. Simply starting a video does not ensure frame accurate alignment or constant playback speed. If the video playback jitters, or audio slows, the lip sync, or the alignment of video transitions will not follow. Its perceived as a failure or less than excellent. Purchasing a video playback device capable of SMPTE chase is more money, agreed. Our goal is to not create distractions but eliminate them. The margin of money to the security of not having distractions seemed appropriate. We purchased the more expensive device in this case.
There is one more fun feature to this workflow. As an audio engineer, one task of my role I prefer not to do is cueing and firing playback tracks. There is always that awkward moment if the track fires late, if you miss a cue, or if the device freezes. While DP is remarkably stable in starting and stopping playback, it also allows for remote control of transport via an iPad app.
I have placed an iPad on a stand near our director running DP Control. I have set DP to cue the following chunk at the end of each song, and waits for the play command. My director then presses one button in the course of the service/production: play. The director does not need to know the ins and outs of DP, just when he wants the next element to start.
This workflow will not happen over night. There are many moving parts, and many pieces of gear that must work together in order for the end product to come across as seamless. Once the foundation is set, however, the workflow opens all kinds of possibilities. Remember, midi can control many devices, and DP can have many autonomous midi tracks. I think I once saw a midi controlled coffee pot…maybe that was DMX, but I could still automate through lighting!
I hope you can see the power of preproduction and automation. Remember, poorly planned productions will lead to poorly executed productions.
Check out some other guest blog posts in this series:
Allen & Heath GLD vs. Midas Pro 1 Hands on Review by Peter Wituszynski
Page 3 of 4 | Previous page | Next page