Ryan A. Geesaman is an award-winning film producer and editor who serves as chair of the Communication & Media Arts Department at Lancaster Bible College|Capital Seminary & Graduate School, which has campuses in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his role, he directs LBC|Capital’s Media Arts Production program. From 2004 to 2018, he served as video production director at LCBC, a multisite church based in Manheim, Pennsylvania, with a non-COVID weekly attendance of over 16,000. He holds a degree in Television/Radio from Ithaca College in New York and a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania.
Geesaman was gracious to teach two classes at this year’s Capture Content Creation and Filmmaking Summit held in August 2021 at Hope Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. One class was on the importance of pre-production in filmmaking and the other on choosing the right gear for your team. Here’s what we learned when we caught up with Geesaman for five minutes.
CPM: Where did your love of media and technology begin?
Geesaman: My dad and I spent a lot of time watching TV and movies together, which started my love for visual storytelling. In junior high, we had an assignment to do a mock newscast for geography class. I asked a young man at my church if he would help us use the church’s TV equipment. From that point on, I used any spare cash to purchase video gear.
CPM: How did your interest in technology transfer into church tech?
Geesaman: A few years after I graduated from Ithaca College, I started volunteering in the video ministry at LCBC Church. That eventually led to 14 years as the video production director. The role tapped into all the areas of interest I had developed over the years. It also helped me discover an additional passion: teaching.
CPM: Tell us about your film awards.
Geesaman: I went to see the first short film produced by one of our volunteer actors at LCBC. That led to a great friendship and to becoming the sound recordist and editor on “Filling In” and the co-producer, first assistant director, and editor on “Calf Rope.” Both short films have done very well on the film festival circuit. My first “Best Editing” award came from Lithuania, so I tell people I’m a pretty big deal in Lithuania.
CPM: Your participation in the Capture Content Creation and Filmmaking Summit was substantial. What made you want to get involved?
Geesaman: When Brian Blackmore (CPM Editor) told me about Capture before the inaugural year, I was excited about the focus of the event. It combines so many of my passions: filmmaking, the church, and teaching. This year I had the additional joy of being able to invite some LBC|Capital students studying film production to Capture.
CPM: As current chair of the Communication & Media Arts Department at LBC|Capital, what do you see in the next generation of church content creators?
Geesaman: As technology makes it easier for anyone to create content, the need to stand out from the noise increases and becomes that much harder. The next generation of church content creators want to continue the trend of creating quality work that communicates truth and moves people. To do that, they will need to really understand design, storytelling, the language of film, and the latest technology.
