What are the general steps to get a Christian program on television?

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Permalink Reply by Honnie Korngold on April 6, 2009 at 7:13pm

Hello Joanna -- we have just spent the last year going through this process from soup to nuts (including securing Aberdeen as our closed captioning source). I would be happy to share what we have learned in the process and what has worked for us. Feel free to contact me and perhaps we can communicate offline via email or phone.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna on April 13, 2009 at 7:36pm

Hi Honnie,

I am glad you connected with us through this network. That is great news. I would love to give you a call to get some of your tips on broadcasting. Could you send me your phone number?

Thanks!
JOANNA

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Whitfield on July 2, 2009 at 10:54pm

Hi Joanna, great to see this discussion on VSN. One of the important steps towards having programming ready to air is the overall "showpackage" that presents your message or recorded live event to your audience. Take example of what's already in use by other Faith-based ministires and popular weekly programs on various networks. Consider what your own vision is of how you would like to see your program shot and edited to reach audiences the most effectively. Titles, visual design, and animated graphics all help in distinguishing one show from another. Or, in many cases, one unique ministry from another.

After principle shooting is done and "in the can," then comes post-production and editing of the footage to correctly match the allotted time duration allowed by your intended time slot. Things like possible commercial breaks have to be kept in mind--if it applies to the type of cable outlet you are pitching towards. Editing software such as Avid, Final Cut Pro, or Premiere Pro are used during this time. Transitions between shots, creative dissolves, and a variety of camera angles help in making 30 minutes of a live event look interesting to television viewers.

Next, when the episode is "locked" and the continuity of the spoken message or live sermon has been determined comes actually developing the "showpackage" or titling graphics that lead-off the show at the start. For inspirational teaching or preaching, "lower thirds" and captioning below the on-screen talent which are sync'ed with the key points of the message help viewers have a better comprehension of the teaching. All of these sorts of animated graphical elements will need to be produced and integrated into the video editing of the previous steps. If the church or ministry has an established proper name or popular title, then this type of logo or icon would be used in the development of the showpackage.

I have a profile here on VSN. I would be more than happy to offer my own help to you or your organization in getting you one step closer to producing your program. -- God bless you and your efforts! -- Thomas

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Permalink Reply by Joanna on July 3, 2009 at 4:10am

Hi Thomas,

Wow! What a great reply and input.

Thank you!

JOANNA

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Permalink Reply by Durand Robinson on July 5, 2009 at 10:19am

Hello, Joanna, Honnie and Thomas. Most of our work until now has been short videos for commercial and non-profits to present themselves, along with a few shorts like music videos, etc. But recently we were approached by the national network in Ireland to help with a documentary on a Christian week-long service event by youth for the city of Dublin. We film this week. It'll be our first nationally broadcast piece.

One up-side to doing this for them probono is that the director of the religious programming for the country saw our other work and has basically said, do this piece well and we'll be ready to broadcast anything you produce. They're budgets are tight and it's cheaper to get outside companies bringing programs to them than it is for them to produce themselves.

It's not a way I'd have guessed would open to see a chance for influencing Irish media, but then I'm glad God's the one running the show.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna on July 6, 2009 at 6:07am

Hi Durand,

Sounds like a fabulous opportunity!

JOANNA

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