Leading with Light: Jubilee Specs

At Jubilee Fellowship church, we developed a set of specifications for image sequences. When our creative teams developed imagery for worship, we needed to get some consistency on what they turned in to the projectionist. We had to specifiy file type, size, and names.

First, we agreed that each image would be 1024 x 768 pixels, which was the native size for our projection computer.

Second, we agree they should usually be each be JPG (JPEG), or PNG format. BMPs, TIFFs, and others might work, but the first two are preferred.

Third, since we were producing a consistent sequence of images for each service, we agreed they would be named the same for each week. The overall sequence was given a specific, identifying name (e.g., "globe" or "stance" or "stained glass"), the the images themselves were named the same each week so there would be no doubt as to where they plugged into the service. Specifically, they were named:

01-Gathering
02-Confession
03-Assurance
04-Response
05-Word
06-Dismissal

Fourth, to make things a bit more complicated, we asked each creative team to also generate a sequence of the same images either darker or lighter than the orginals so text could be viewed over them more easily. Many of the originals had bright colors, so they had to washed out or darkened in order to serve as a background for text. The originals were on the screen when no text was needed, but the adjusted images were used when text was added. The file names of the washed out images included a "w" for white (or a "b" for black if darkened)

01w-Gathering
02w-Confession
03w-Assurance
04w-Response
05w-Word
06w-Dismissal

All other artwork, drafts, clip art, elements, Photoshop files, etc, was put into a folder called "Orginal Art"

All of this, then was burned to a CD or put in a folder labelled with the title of the sequence (e.g., "globe" or "stance" or "stained glass").

Stance

The “Stance” sequence shows how a single visual element changes as the worship service unfolds. The mannequin, representing our posture before God, changes positions as the congregation’s liturgical task changes. This sequence also intentionally leaves space for text, but can also serve as a plain banner. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Kids' Mosaics

The “Kids’ Mosaics” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. This sequence of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Globe & Cross

The “Globe and Cross” Liturgical Sequence is good example of a composite image that builds as the service progresses. Beginning with a nearly blank screen, elements are added to the image at each stage until reaching a final, full image. The images are either darkened or lightened when used as a background, allowing the overlay of white or black text.

Renewed on the Journey

This Liturgical Sequence was developed for the opening worship of a regional worship conference. The theme was "As people of faith on a journey, we come to be renewed in God's strength." The first four images were the basic backgrounds used. They were designed to follow the major movements of the service. The rest of the images show how the backgrounds were used with text overlaid. Note that the text varies in position and color, depending on whether the words were God's words to the congregation, or the congregation's words in response to God.

Kids' Paintings

The “Kids’ Paintings” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. These sequences of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.