As promised; here is our response to the questions that we didn’t have time to get around to during the Visual Worship breakout lab at Gurus of Tech.

Does the Environmental Projection stay on through the service?
Camron Ware: It can; but doesn’t mean is has to. Like any other visual worship tool; less is more, and it has its place. You can use one still image look for an entire song, or have a different look and feel for each verse and chorus within a song. You can also use it during the message to paint the room with a theme that supports the spoken word.  It really depends on the worship element, and what the focus in the room is.

Stephen Proctor: i’ve tried starting out with everything OFF, then in the right moment i’ll do a creative reveal. Many times i’ll tie the same visual theme between the last song and the message, maybe adding subtle motion or some other images (VJ’d) during the last song, then going full frame to the “theme” image at the end as the music fades away and the message begins. then leave that up during the whole message so that it creates a visual environment to support the pastor’s message.

Can you use two of the TripleHead2Go’s to split 6 ways?
Camron Ware: I don’t believe so; due to the technical limits of the TripleHead. However, I know that you can take each output of the TripleHead, run that into a scaler that will allow to stretch the resolution. For example; one church is using 4 projectors for their Environmental, using a DualHead2Go. The computer output resolution is 4096×768. Each output of the DualHEad (left/right) runs into a scaler that stretches that content to be twice as wide.

Stephen Proctor: yeah, what he said. you also may want to look into Renewed Vision’s options with ProVideoPlayer…where you can slave multiple Macs together, add dual/tripleHead2Gos to those machines, and play around with Grid Mapping & Tiling options inside the software itself. The possibilities are limitless.

Are there limitations with rear projections?
Camron Ware:  If you’re asking if rear projection is darker; less colorful…the short answer is no. There are benefits to rear projection when using Environmental Projection, so if you are wanting to know more; please ask! Leave a comment or email me.

Stephen Proctor: I’ll add this: if you’re Environmental Projectors are hitting the main screens, most of the time, THIS IS OK. I definitely recommend NOT doing iMAG (unless those screens are out of the way/not being hit by Env. Proj., AND if you have an extremely large mega-church), and going with just white text on a black screen…letting the environmental visuals wash over everything. and sometimes it is cool to take the 4:3 or 16:9 version of the same graphic being used with the Env. Proj. and making that the main screen background to the lyrics/sermon/etc. That also can tie everything together. sorry for the “imag” rant… but it can very easily hurt (if not kill) the worshipful mood that Env. Proj. so powerfully creates.

Do the projectors have the be the exact same specs?
Camron Ware:  (In reference to Environmental Projection, I’m assuming)
Yes. I know it’s tempting to try and reuse older projectors, but you will end up noticing that the brightness and color don’t match. Now, in reality, almost no two projectors will look EXACTLY alike straight out of the box. But, it’s almost a nightmare to color match different projectors from different manufacturers. If you are wanting to do any kind of projection where the images are going to be side-by-side or even just close to each other; buy the exact same projector make and model for each screen/wall.

Stephen Proctor: i definitely agree, but don’t let this stop you from going forward with what you already have. The first time i did triple-wide seamless video staging, i had three older & different projectors. No edge blending was involved. It was tedious work (about a half day) in changing settings in each of the projector menus, but we made it work…and i don’t think any of the missionaries at this conference noticed (no one said anything). Even if they did notice, i don’t think it’s going to make or break someone’s worship with the Creator. We were in Thailand when we pulled this off…had never tried it before…and had a ZERO DOLLAR BUDGET.

How do we take into consideration those with conditions such as epilepsy/vertigo/colorblindness/etc. Are there tips/guidelines to follow?
Camron Ware: Good question; I’ve actually never been asked this specifically about epilepsy/vertigo. Like I talked about in the class, less is more, and being that Environmental Projection is larger-than-life, motions are exaggerated. Let’s say this: If Environmental Projection is causing issues for someone with epilepsy, there is something wrong with how that tool is being used. Environmental Projection should be subtle and tasteful. Using lots of fast-paced motion loops can be a problem, so always ‘test’ the loops you use on the walls before the service/event. If you think they are too fast; they probably are.

Stephen Proctor: Wow. Yep, i totally agree. I love this question b/c it brings it back to the “weak/the least of these”….God always works more powerfully through those of us who are weak and have physical/mental limitations….i see it over and over again. i think we should view this not as an obstacle but as an opportunity. Anybody see “Mr. Holland’s Opus”? They did a musical concert for the deaf, but added large screens with moving lights that moved to the music….HOW COOL IS THAT?! I have a dream, to create a visual worship experience for the blind. Where there are devices of LIVE moving/”speaking” braille handed to blind…and while visual images are displayed on the screen, descriptions of those visuals are going to the braille devices… emotions, names of God and Who He is, scripture to think on while singing, colors described as emotions & feelings & touch, description of imagery….the list goes on. One day.

We do this for lost people. They do not know the song that we sing but they do remember what they see. What they see stays with them after they leave. It’s all about the lost.
Camron Ware: True; I agree that people who are seeking the Lord and come into a worship service DO remember what they see, and the experience they had. I agree that we should do all things with excellence. However, the act of worship is for believers, and when we gather corporately to worship we focus our passion for visual worship towards leading those fellow believers visually… We don’t do what we do the ‘attract’ the lost per se, but to glorify God, and point fellow believers worshiping beside us to Him.

Stephen Proctor: When “pre-Christians” walk-in, i think that they SHOULD be mysteriously drawn in to our worship while probably experiencing tension from their flesh. With post-moderns, who knows what is going on in someone’s mind. but it’s not our job to turn our worship (which is for the saints) into a tool/spectacle that serves the lost. It IS about reaching the lost, but it’s also about growing disciples and leading our congregation deeper into corporate communion with God. If we only go as far as “lost” people can go, our Church will never grow deep. This is one frustration that i am struggling with: the subtle cultural fact that outreach events and worship services have become the same thing. I know this is very ecclesiastical, theological, and probably controversial debate, but i believe we must struggle well with these conversations and seek God’s Wisdom as we are developing into “visual worship leaders”. If you leave discussions/decisions like this up to the pastor/elders/leadership, then we give up our role as “worship leader” and simply serve as a “media tech”…in doing so, we turn away the opportunity and responsibility to lead our congregation effectively, and we should just focus on the mechanics. If there is no one on the media/visual team thinking about these things & striving for God’s wisdom, then I doubt that your media ministry will grow effectively. You can always add more technology, but that doesn’t make “church” happen. See “Don’t Use Visual Media in Worship”.

Great questions, everyone! We’ll close with this…we are young and have much wisdom to gain. These are our opinions that we feel deeply convicted about. We invite your feedback, whether you disagree or not. We’re not about forcing our opinions on others, only inviting others in on our conversations and experiences in leading worship using visuals and technology.