One of the many lessons learned by churches during the COVID pandemic season was that for many congregants, there is a hunger for on-demand content that can be available for consumption beyond just on Sundays.
Whereas most churches likely had strictly focused on generating weekend content up until that point, with their only on-demand media being service content posted online, having a captive audience desiring more content began to spin wheels of creativity.
For a time during COVID, it may have been regular prayer services or daily devotional messages from pastors or perhaps pre-recorded member education classes that previously had only been held in person.
And when churches began reconvening in person that void slowly began to open up again. Attention was reinvested in creating high-quality in-person experiences, but the yearning by congregants for additional weekly content still existed.
That may have been the largest factor in fueling what has now become quite a boon for church video podcasting.
Podcasting, at least in audio-only form, isn’t an expressly new concept, as many ministries have grown accustomed to posting online audio from their weekend sermons.
However, what is new is the number of ministries now using a “podcast” concept to effectively create a weekly show where their ministry teams can communicate directly to their congregation on different ministry topics.
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At Colorado's BRAVE Church, armed with a healthy dose of pastoral vision, production director, Robb MacTavish began a project to transform an existing, underutilized space into what would essentially be a multipurpose recording studio that would not only serve as the primary venue for recording weekly (or even multiple times a week) video podcasts, but could also be used as a studio to record other church content and announcement videos.
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This was the driving factor for Colorado’s BRAVE Church deciding to undertake this process.
According to Production Director Robb MacTavish, there had been an ongoing desire for their lead pastor, along with guests, to elaborate on the weekend message and have extended topical conversations that couldn’t be contained within the regular flow of a Sunday service. Not only would that allow for more in-depth dialogue about specific topics, but it could also create a platform to address questions raised by the audience.
The downside: a lack of dedicated space to create something like this.
Armed with a healthy dose of pastoral vision, MacTavish began a project to transform an existing, underutilized space into what would essentially be a multipurpose recording studio that would not only serve as the primary venue for recording weekly (or even multiple times a week) video podcasts, but could also be used as a studio to record other church content and announcement videos.
In nearly an identical vein, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Freedom House Church has undergone the exact same process, with their podcast studio having been completed in early July.
“We had a need for a content creation space long before COVID,” said Production Director Brad Christian. “However, COVID threw gas on the fire of needing to be able to effectively create content. Before the studio we spent so much time setting up temporary recording spaces in green rooms, hallways and offices. The studio enables us to reclaim that valuable time and create more consistently good content.”
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For the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Freedom House Church, not only is the podcast studio space designed to be multi-purpose, it’s also designed to be easy to use—enabling a quick turnaround between shooting and posting content.
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For the Freedom House team, not only is the space designed to be multi-purpose, but it’s designed to be easy to use to thus enable a quick turnaround between shooting and posting content.
“We have a podcast set, a conversation set and a green/gray screen set,” Christian explained. “With our podcast set, our focus was on quick-turn capture and editing. Most of camera and light settings are fixed so we don’t have to spend much time tweaking and setting up the shoots.”
Freedom House uses the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Extreme ISO Video Production Studio as the backbone of their recording process.
By pairing this with BMD cameras, ISO recordings of each camera are ingested as different layers on the editing timeline in Davinci Resolve. So, if there happens to be an issue with the program cut for the recording, it’s easy and quick to edit in shots from additional cameras, fulfilling the goal of a simple and timely turnaround.
It’s typical in a smaller room (or studio) to use cinema cameras for video capture, allowing their shallow depth of field to navigate the limited depth between the talent and the backdrop.
But those smaller rooms can also create challenges from an audio standpoint as well, since it can be even more difficult to avoid ambient noise and reverb from low ceilings and tighter walls.
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Thom McGuire has been the contracted Tech Director at Orlando’s River of Life Christian Center since January of this year, and one of the top projects placed on his plate by his senior pastor was the buildout of a podcast studio.
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Thom McGuire has been the contracted Tech Director at Orlando’s River of Life Christian Center since January of this year, and one of the top projects placed on his plate by his senior pastor was the buildout of a podcast studio.
With the high level of expectation and the need for a quick turnaround on the project, he relied on technology he knew would make the process easier but would still result in a high-quality project.
“We used an older youth classroom and because it was built well and the fact that we are using the Shure SM7B [mics], not much was done for soundproofing,” he noted. “It's flat response and excellent noise rejection work well in a room that has not had much done in the way of acoustic treatment,” McGuire added about the mics.
Always noted as a top dynamic, cardioid mic for specific speaking applications, the SM7B is a common fixture in podcast and recording studios, often due to some of the specific room-related challenges that can be faced in those environments.
“[Room dynamics] is the biggest tension to manage in creating a podcast space,” Christian explained. “We’ve dealt with acoustical challenges from the start. Mic selection can help, but we are still finding the right balance of treatment for the space. [Even] isolation from something as simple as air conditioning units is something that must be considered,” he added.
Birmingham, Alabama-based megachurch Church of the Highlands also features the SM7Bs in their studio, where the directional pattern was critical to avoid picking up any reverb in the room.
The backdrop of their GrowLeader podcast studio is a Thor Ridge 1.8mm LED wall, creating a hard, reflective surface for audio, hence needing excellent, directional mics.
However, the flexibility of the LED wall outweighs any potential negatives, as it not only provides a high-quality backdrop, but also grants a dynamic surface that can be interacted with if custom graphics or content are needed as part of the recording.
But with a backdrop that has such dynamic brightness, it was imperative that key and fill lighting also have enough punch, and Litepanels Gemini fixtures were added for this reason. Their brightness, though, couldn’t be overwhelming, since it was still critical that the room feel comfortable for the hosts and guests.
“Obviously it’s critical that we use high-quality, reliable equipment.... But we also know that it can’t just be a technology environment. It has to be comfortable enough for...a presenter to be able to stay relaxed without being distracted or having to worry about any other variables in the room.”
—Matt Minor, campus pastor, cohost of the GrowLeader podcast, Church of the Highlands.
Matt Minor, a Church of the Highlands campus pastor, cohosts the GrowLeader podcast with senior pastor Chris Hodges. Before becoming a campus pastor, Minor had stints as a writer and editor with the church’s creative video team, in addition to serving as the Live Video Director during weekend services. His technical background provides him the unique ability to not only see the space as a cohost, but also as an artist and technician, helping bridge the gap when either perspective is needed to help make decisions.
“Obviously it’s critical that we use high-quality, reliable equipment,” he explained. “We never want Pastor Chris to have to worry about whether any of the gear is going to work, or if any of it will be subpar. But we also know that it can’t just be a technology environment. It has to be comfortable enough for him as a presenter to be able to stay relaxed without being distracted or having to worry about any other variables in the room,” Minor continued.
Should there be “recording in progress” signs in the hallway so passersby know to stay quiet?
Indeed, that can sometimes be an overlooked component in building out studio spaces like this. The technology can get so much attention, but what is the experience like for the host and talent?
Many podcasts can be upwards of 30 or 60 minutes. Are the chairs comfortable enough to sit in over a long period like that?
What about how to place supporting materials or notes? Is there enough counter space (if it’s set up like a radio booth, with countertop mics) or are there side tables to go alongside armchairs?
If there’s a teleprompter to guide the host, is it easily visible to him or her, given the brightness of the key lighting in the room?
And how can distractions be minimized? Can windows or door viewlights be covered? Should there be “recording in progress” signs in the hallway so passersby know to stay quiet? Can the AC be placed on a schedule, so it doesn’t rumble on in the middle of a recording?
And on the technology side, how can a team avoid the dreaded “we need to start over” message? Is there a protocol to replace or check any batteries ahead of time? Are there backup methods to record cameras in case a primary capture device dies? How can any on-screen content be checked ahead of time to ensure it all keys (and is spelled) correctly?
Just like any service venue, there should be protocol and procedures attached to a podcast studio, or any type of recording studio being used for this purpose. This is especially critical if it will be a room used by multiple teams, not just for podcasting, but also for any other type of content creation. Having some “standing operating procedures” can help ensure that gear is consistently used properly and that the room is effectively reset before the next group comes in, helping eliminate any unwanted surprises.
And while a room may start with vision to just be a specific type of podcast studio or recording space, it’s possible that multiple ministries may be able to take advantage over time, generating a trove of customized, on-demand content that can reach multiple different facets of the congregation, deepening their connection and engagement.
“Our goal is to create content that helps to engage our church family every day of the week,” said Freedom House’s Christian. “We love to gather every Sunday, but we now have the opportunity to engage and add value to our community every day of the week.”
