communication worship leader to soundbooth

[sherrybob]

Have you, in the soundbooth, found any useful 'tools' or tricks to maintain eye contact with the worship leader? I read the posts about when to change the slides and we're pretty much right on target with that. Our WL gives signals to the team about what they're about to do next...but usually I can't SEE the signals because my line of sight usually has someone standing right in the way. I once saw a mirror used, set at an angle to reflect the signals back to the booth. Anybody use these? Any other ideas? Thanks! Sherry

[blwells45]

Thankfully, our MoM realizes the line of sight problems w/our current setup, so 99.9% of the time has the congregation remain seated. However, the pastor doesn't get it so that leaves us hopping up and down (literally) trying to make sure we're all on the same page. That's one reason why I"m glad we're gonna be in the balcony in the new church. Unless we have some 25 ft tall guy show up for service, we shouldn't have anyone blocking our line of sight.

Our MoM is really good at the handsignal bit, and usually a nod from me to acknowledge that I understood what he wanted or a shake of the head to let him know I didn't get it is all the communication we need. Of course, most of the time, we're on the same page. 95% of the time I've got the verse or chorus he's going to repeat ready to go. Most people don't even see the communication and wonder how we do it. It helps that they're looking @ the screen!

[[Admin] osborn4]

Our sound area is raised and we are seated on stools on top of that, so we don't have the problem. We can see over the heads.

[Gene]

Our WL has rehearsed how the song is generally going to go, including telling the worship team where repeats are likely. But to actually cue those repeats, she gives a word or two from the beginning of that verse or section, which helps the worship team and the projector operator specifically, but the congregation, too. Line of sight isn't an issue with verbal cues.

Anything more complicated than that is generally a minor emergency like a dead battery in her mic, in which case I send my assistant if he's there, or we wait until the next break. Anything worse than that is a bigger emergency, which means worship has stopped so communicating is a little more open at that point anyways

[sherrybob]

Thanks y'all! Our soundbooth is raised only about 18" off the floor of the auditorium (really just a large room ) and our worship team is on the same level as the congregation - no platform. Soundbooth against the back wall and we are dealing with a lot of sound issues. Occasionally I'll see the signal but more often than not I just have to try to 'feel' for what's coming next. Of course I practice with them and make appropriate notes and we don't veer too far off the plan...usually. Sitting on stools is making me think...but we'd have to raise our whole counter to accomodate them. We'll just keep doing our best. Sherry

[Gene]

Clearly, you need a taller worship leader

Seriously though, does the WL sit or stand? Unless they're playing an acoustic piano, it shouldn't be hard for them to be standing and maybe improve the sightlines a bit. But I find verbal cues still work best, because they don't depend on line of sight.

[sherrybob]

Hi Gene - our WL sits on a stool (plays guitar and keyboard). I'll mention about the verbal cues - it's not something she's ever done but I know what you mean and it would make a difference. Thanks.
Sherry

[adamdiehl]

a great idea is to be at practice so you know what the band is going to do.. or at least have some sort of an idea. Through TIME there will be a closer relationship created.

[SoundDudeDave]

You could set up a mini IMAG system... set up a camcorder on a tripod in the tech booth, or even on the table in the tech booth. Make it high enough to see over the people, and zoom it in over the stage area. Just get a small like 13' television and set it beside the computer moniter to hook the camcorder into. You could even use it for nasic video recording while you're doing that too.

[sherrybob]

David, what a BRILLIANT idea!!! Never would have dreamed of doing it this way - I think we're gonna go for it! You've STARTED something here! Uhhh, I hate to ask but what is nasic? Thanks! Sherry

[SoundDudeDave]

Originally Posted by sherrybob

David, what a BRILLIANT idea!!! Never would have dreamed of doing it this way - I think we're gonna go for it! You've STARTED something here! Uhhh, I hate to ask but what is nasic? Thanks! Sherry

Nasic??? You don't know what that is!?!?

I'm just kidding! It was suppossed to be "basic." My fault- I didn't notice my typo. That was embarrassing!

Glad to be of help,
David

[sherrybob]

HA! That sure makes me feel better! Wondering (talked with hubby last night and he's excited about this too!) if there's anything less bulky than a tv monitor - we're cramped for space, especially since we're about to go to dual monitors (thanks to cmn's help!) Sherry