Title: Tech Director or Production Engineer?

[Edgineer]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've been on here.

I've been the "Sound & Lighting Director" (volunteer) for my church for several years. It's a modern 500-seat facility with modern services/worship. I was recently asked (still volunteer ) to also be in charge of the media/AV and that team. I was already unofficially doing the direction & coordination among sound, lighting, media, and stage during the services and helping with the media prep on ProPresenter anyway, so this isn't a big step. The only thing I don't touch is video recording/production, which we've recently launched so as to have an internet service (pre-recorded). We're not doing IMAG or live cameras, yet.

My questions are: which title is most appropriate, and what would be the correct blanket name for the ministry as a whole? For title, I've heard "Technical Director" or "Production Engineer" (I actually have an electrical engineering degree) most often. I just want to make sure it's easy for volunteers to understand, and is also appropriate for documents, my resume, etc. There will still be separate sound, lighting, and media teams. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks!

Blessings,
Jim

[Steven]

To clarify:

There are sound, lighting, and media teams? (I assume "media" means those responsible for preparing and displaying graphics, song lyrics, Bible verses, etc.) You will oversee those three teams, as well as stage?

If the above is correct, I would assert that "Technical Arts Ministry" is the most fitting title for the ministry, which would make "Technical Arts Director" the most appropriate title for the person who oversees that ministry.

[Esoteric]

Hey Jim!! Long time no hear! I would love to hear how you liked those 3W lED units.

As far as title, down these parts Production, Technical, Director, and Engineer all have different meanings and can be combined into many different titles.

1. Production - Dealing with or overseeing production elements. This is the person who deals with artsy people. Designers (lighting, sound, web, video, etc), directors, artists, etc. They keep an eye on the big picture. They are interested in how everything works to produce the image of the person in charge. They don't care why a mic didn't come on, just that it did not and needed to be fixed. Or why a slide or video was late, just that it was and got fixed. They have to come up with solutions in the moment to get around technical difficulties. Technology background is preferred but not necessary.

2. Technical - Of course this person deals with all the technical issues and people. Sound engineers, board ops, button jockeys, etc. They have to know the tech inside and out. As a director they have to know all the technology and exactly how it works and integrates. They don't care what happened after the mic went off or the cue happened at the wrong time, but that it did and exactly why it happened. Then they go about actually fixing the problem instead of using work arounds. Technology background is a MUST.

3. Director - Again, concerned with the big picture a director is in charge of their ministry or department. They often are concerned with systems integration. They are hardly ever actually on the equipment (except in special circumstances) but are brought in when necessary to fix problems that are beyond the scope of the engineers. Which brings us to....

4. Engineers - Often operate specific pieces of equipment. They are oftne very, very knowledgeable about their specific area, but that is where their responsibilities end.

This explains why you often see monitor engineers, front of house engineers, broadcast engineers, audio directors, technical directors, along with lighting designers, set designers, video designers, production designers, and production directors (also just called producers).

Mike

[Gracetech]

My specific title is Worship Technician. It's a bit odd but it describes what i do well. Most Tech Directors should be named Director of Technology. Because most TD's are not well versed with the Tech end of things but are infact just a Director over the skilled workers.

Of course everyone always refers to me as "that guy" so i'm thinking about coming up with business cards with that on it.

The important thing is not the title but where your heart is. I've seen to many guys "turned" into directors. It might just be my vantage point but something clicks in peoples heads sometimes and it's like the person transforms.

I've always wanted to have the title Tech Dude...funny everyone says it's not very professional.

crt

[Paris MkVI]

If you are overseeing multiple teams, "AVL Director" or "AVL Minister" might be appropriate, depending on your church families' culture. I would not use tech director personally, since that is an actual job title in a live video production hierarchy.

Some people like "Media Arts Director" because they think AVL is not clear to most folks.

I have occasionally used "Chief Monitor-Stacker in Charge of Contrast and Hue".

Does anyone remember the ARexx script "Job Title" in the old Video Toaster and Flyers? Or am I horribly dating myself? That thing was hysterical.

[Edgineer]

Ah, the possibilities are endless. Thanks everyone for the feedback so far.

Steven, you are understanding correctly: there are lighting, sound, and media teams, with me overseeing all, plus the stage. I really like your Technical Arts suggestions.

Michael, to make this a little easier, it's kind of all of the above (well, at least some of each). I range from the big picture to hands-on with the smallest detail if needed. Thank God, I am blessed with an awesome team of sound & lighting techs/engineers and media operators. During the services, I generally don't have my hands on the gear unless necessary or if someone else can't be there. During weekly design, setup, and some practices, I might have my hands on any of it. Is there a smiley wearing many hats?

Gracetech, thanks for the reminder. We actually haven't had a formal position title here in the past, but it seems to be a good idea now for clarity and in light of the growth of the church.

Paris, I might just have to go with CMSCCH.

OK, perhaps a quick job description is in order:

Lighting (my current forte, as I'm also a consultant): system design/integration, weekly design, maintenance, programming, direction, & operation (during services, I usually oversee the engineer running the desk)

Sound (my original forte): system integration/planning, stage and equipment prep, desk setup, and FOH/monitor engineering when needed (especially during practices if nobody else is available to operate).

Media (using ProPresenter): visual design (background selection for lyric projection), integration with lighting, & final check of all service media elements. I am not presently creating the media itself, but I am putting it all together for final presentation.

General: oversight of all personnel on the above teams, direction, coordination among all teams, team-building & recruiting.

I think that covers it in general. Any additional feedback & suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Donald V]

I got to make up my title when I went full time...I decided "Director of Technical Ministries" which encompasses Sound, Video, Lighting, IT (website, network, computers, ChMS).

Donald

[Edgineer]

Ah, the power to create our own titles. Muhahaha!!

One of my goals in this little endeavor is to create a ministry name that sounds inviting and unimposing to new volunteers. While I am blessed with an amazing team now, we need to grow the teams to coincide with the church's growth, and we live in a very transient area where a higher-than-usual percentage of our attendees are associated with the military.

Gotta say, I'm leaning towards "Technical Arts Director" at this point.

[Donald V]

No kidding, my first choice was "Assistant to the Regional Manager" but that didn't make much sense...haha

I think Technical Arts director sounds good.

Donald

[jksbc]

I considered myself Media Director at my former church. When I asked my current Pastor what my title should be for the purpose of recruiting volunteers for the ministry during our membership classes. He said, I think of you as more of being over all creative elements. So, my title is now Creative Director. It involves all visual elements of the church including but not limited to lighting, video, and stage design. I love my job!!!

[Edgineer]

That sounds great Joe. I don't normally create the content, as that functionality is handled by the pastoral staff, but I am responsible for the total presentation of the content, which is why I had also considered Production Engineer or Production Director.

Thanks again everyone for the ongoing ideas.

[Paris MkVI]

I also like "Executive Producer in Charge of Videotaping Car Chases and Explosions".