This article is a guide to properly and efficiently train your new tech volunteers! This is not a complete guide to the entire process that volunteers are going to learn, however, it is a guide for the lead tech volunteer and volunteer trainers.
Observe
The best thing to do with a potential volunteer stepping into the booth for the first time is to have them observe a service. This allows them to see for themselves what the positions entail.
Occasionally, you may have someone tell you that tech isn't for them, and that’s okay. Tech isn’t for everyone.
In the circumstance in which they do feel this position is for them, they need to be scheduled for training.
During their observation period, there’s no need to provide instruction; this time is meant for them to observe the process.However, if they have questions, it’s perfectly fine to answer and clarify what they’re asking about.
First session
Give a brief overview of the video equipment.
Turning on and off the equipment
-
Lyntec button - The green on and red off master switches below the tech booth.
- Some locations may have two buttons that say say, “Fire It Up” and “Shut It Down” just above the video rack.
- Pro Pre boot up.
- Resi, Hyperdeck.
- Projectors.
Spend a good amount of time going over ProPresenter and its functions.
ProPresenter
- Opening and quitting the application.
- Moving through slides by pressing the spacebar.
Teams
Explain the application's purpose and when to use it.
Resi
- Loading a message.
- Manual play & stop.
- Cues.
Hyperdeck
How to play, stop, fast-forward, and rewind.
Clock
- How to set the clock - This is for campuses live on Saturdays.
- Explain the importance of the clock, how it's utilized, and why being on time when starting countdown and switching to message is imperative.
Weekend Playlist
- Review the “Weekend Playlist." Sometimes this is called the "Planning Center sheet" or "fancy marker board."
We want to avoid overwhelming new volunteers with too many details. Be encouraging and positive; remind them that with practice and repetition, the details will come with the process. Ask for their thoughts on how they feel about what they have learned so far. While we want to encourage commitment, it’s important to provide them with an opportunity after each session to decide if they still wish to be part of the team.
Second session
During the second session, have the trainee practice what they learned in session one. The goal of this session is for the trainee to become familiar with the startup of the video equipment, the fundamentals of ProPresenter, the flow of the services, and the use of the Switcher. Have the trainee take the lead and operate ProPresenter and the Switcher during rehearsals and services. As the trainer, please do not leave their side for any reason. It is important to be there with them as they are working the controls so you can jump in at a moment's notice.
Review session one topics
- Power on.
- ProPresenter.
- Resi.
- Hyperdeck.
- The clock.
Use some of the non-service time to go over the Ross Switcher.
Switcher Layout
- Multiviewer - shows different video inputs.
- Switcher basic operation.
- Hot buttons and service flow.
Many trainees think the physical position of the “T bar” is what shows as Program; this is not the case.
- LifeKids Code - Moving back to ProPresenter, walk them through the process of displaying a LK number on the screens. Explain the importance of clearing ProPresenter before displaying the number.
Switcher Transitions
Below is the recommended workflow used in the training process. Many locations adjust this process to suit their campus culture.
Worship and Stage Time Transition:
- It is recommended that the person training take over before the last song ends; have the trainee observe this process.
- Lower the center screen.
- Switch the side screens to ProPresenter.
- STG Time hotkey:
- Wait for the cue (handshakes, fist bumps, etc).
- Punch "STG Time" scenic hot key.
- Select the message source in the Preview row (Resi, Hyperdeck, SAT).
- Follow along with the stage communicator on ProPresenter (Trainer stays on ProPresenter while reminding the trainee about keeping track of the clock).
- Punch "MSG" Hot Key at cue time (20:58 or 50:58, unless other time specified by WP).
- Immediately after the main message begins playing through, start the Pro Pre backup. The Resi and Hyperdeck should start on their own (provided they are cued up to the message start). The trainer will then start the Pro Pre backup and have the trainee select the secondary backup source on the Preview row of the switcher.
By the end of this session they will hopefully become more comfortable with ProPresenter and have some understanding of the Switcher. Remember, encouragement is key.
Before they leave, go over the primary and backup sources that we use for each service of the weekend. It’s recommended to have those on your phone so you can email or text it to them (This is important for them to have at this point, as the next session is learning Resi, Hyperdeck and SAT).
Third session
By now, they will hopefully be comfortable with the topics reviewed in session one. They may hesitate some on the cues for the Stage Time/Next Steps graphics, but they should be less dependent on you. The goal of this session is to continue to build on session one and two topics, as well as practice operating Resi, Hyperdeck and SAT.
- Continue with their training by letting them operate the switcher during rehearsal and services.
- In detail, review the Resi, Hyperdeck, and SAT.
Go over the primary and backup sources they were given at the end of the previous session.
It’s okay for them to use the source guide for the time being, but should soon become second nature.
- Allow them to use the switcher, Resi and Hyperdeck during the services.
- It is critical that you continue to stay with them, especially during transitions to and from the message.
Satellite
- Test Audio and Video + Sync.
- Recap the process of syncing the clock.
- Discuss but don't act on the process of Rebooting the Harmonic SAT receiver or ATEME SAT receiver.
- The reasons you may need to:
- Audio and video are out of sync.
- There is no video.
- There is no audio.
- The reasons you may need to:
At the end of this session, they will hopefully be able to run through Worship, Stage Time, and Next Steps with ease on ProPresenter. They should have some knowledge about Resi, Hyperdeck, and SAT, as well as what sources to use as primary and backup for each service of the weekend.
Next Steps
The number of sessions may vary, as every person is different. We never want to leave a trainee feeling uncomfortable about running things on their own. We need to work with them until they are comfortable running things on their own.
Communicate with your Worship Pastor or a lead tech person at your campus on training updates.
Special Training
You may want to schedule someone experienced from the team during Baptism weekends so the newer team members who have not done a Baptism service can train with the Baptism camera. Lead them to watch this video on the Baptism button before they train with the Baptism camera.
This also applies if the normal weekend is changed in any way that may confuse or prevent a trainee from doing their best. Provide them all the help they need to feel confident.