Production Training
Master each role with clear call times, key responsibilities, and linked serve-day checklists. Use this page for orientation, then open the full checklist for the detailed workflow.
Production Team Foundations
Before role-specific workflows and camera technique, every volunteer should understand the values and vision that shape how Rock Point production serves the room and supports the message.
Creative Arts Values
Our first ministry is to the room
We serve the people in front of us first. Every production decision should help the room engage in worship.
We strive for undistracting excellence
We want excellence that clarifies the message, not excellence that becomes the message.
We raise the floor, not lower the ceiling
We help every volunteer improve without lowering the standards that serve our church well.
We plan so we can pivot
Preparation creates freedom. When ministry changes in the moment, strong planning helps us adapt well.
Feedback is expected
Coaching is part of the culture. We receive feedback, apply it, and keep growing.
Production Vision
We are the frame, not the portrait
- We are not the subject or point of attention. Jesus is.
- We help clarify the point of focus.
- We support ministries and help spread their message.
We are relevant, not revolutionary
- We desire to reach the lost over reaching new heights.
- We build environments that are accessible and attractive to our community.
- We frame the message of the gospel in a way people can receive.
We are the altar and an offering
- Our work is an offering to God.
- Our work also helps facilitate the offerings and worship of others.
- We want our worship through production to be intentional and our best.
- If we expect our best from our people, we set that example first.
Camera Operator
Capture worship and message shots that support the room and the livestream without becoming the focus.
Call Time
Saturday 1:40pm / Sunday 7:25am
Key Focus Areas
- Show up before talk-through and serve every service on the day you are scheduled.
- Wear dark clothing, long pants, and comfortable closed-toe shoes.
- Keep roaming cameras on the standard worship-center settings indoors.
- Use different ND and white-balance settings for baptisms, then reset when you come back inside.
- Use the camera shot guide for shot strategy, composition, and per-camera examples.
Graphics Operator
Run ProPresenter, lyrics, and service visuals so the room and screens stay in sync with the service flow.
Call Time
Saturday 1:10pm / Sunday 7:25am
Key Focus Areas
- Take over ProPresenter cleanly once you arrive and verify song order, looks, and LED wall output before doors open.
- On Saturdays, the producer covers rehearsal graphics or assigns someone until the graphics operator arrives.
- During run-through, the communications team tracks message-note changes and works with graphics on any updates that need to be made.
- Advance lyrics, lower thirds, and media cues cleanly during every service.
Stage Manager
Keep the stage, Green Room, and service flow moving so speakers and volunteers are ready at the right moments.
Call Time
Saturday 1:10pm / Sunday 7:15am
Key Focus Areas
- Handle Green Room volunteer check-in and make sure the TVs are showing the correct content.
- Track transitions, props, and speaker needs during talk-through and run-through.
- Keep Planning Center on the correct live item before and during each service.
- Call the 5-minute Green Room reminder and notify the speaker during the last worship song.
- Reset the stage for the next service as soon as the room clears.
Video Switcher / Video Director
Direct cameras, feeds, and live transitions so the room and stream stay clear, clean, and on time.
Call Time
Saturday 1:00pm / Sunday 7:25am
Key Focus Areas
- Load the correct media slides, audio route, and camera-control starting points before rehearsal.
- Switch rehearsal like a real service and take notes for worship direction.
- Handle Saturday watchback and restore the room before second service.
- Check clock, stream, intercom, and Teradeks in the final minutes before each service.
- Stop HyperDeck recording and return the switcher to preservice mode after each service.
Lighting Operator
Support worship and speaking moments with consistent lighting execution and clean cue follow-through.
Call Time
Saturday 1:10pm / Sunday 7:25am
Key Focus Areas
- Arrive before talk-through and be ready for the full day of services.
- Confirm the correct weekend show file, cues, and stage looks before run through.
- Follow the service flow and adjust for moments as needed.
- Follow the service flow closely and adjust for ministry moments without becoming distracting.
- Report any issues to the front of house producer.
Back of House Producer
Oversee the whole weekend workflow, from room startup and volunteer readiness to recording, exports, and delivery.
Call Time
Saturday 10:30am / Sunday 6:55am
Key Focus Areas
- Prepare MicBoard, HyperDeck media, volunteer coverage, and room systems before the weekend starts.
- Verify routing, CG, cameras, PCO data, audio monitoring, and HyperDeck control before rehearsal ends.
- Run rehearsal support and make sure song flow, announcements, speaker timing, and Saturday rehearsal graphics coverage are ready.
- Handle recording ingest, Premiere editing, exports, shutdown, and weekly media delivery.
- Use the advanced producer systems guide for HyperDeck scheduling, MAMP, lyrics, and Teradek troubleshooting.
Production Team Expectations
We are grateful for every production volunteer. This ministry serves both the room and the online audience, so the expectation is that every volunteer understands the schedule, preparation, and communication rhythms that keep the weekend healthy.
Arrival Time
When you are serving on the production team, expect to serve the full day of services for that weekend and participate in run-through before service.
The general weekend rhythm starts 5 minutes before talk-through: Saturdays at 1:10pm for the 3:00pm worship service, and Sundays at 7:25am for the 8:30am worship service.
If your role card shows a different call time, follow the role-specific call time for that position.
Planning Center
Download the `Planning Center` app, also called `Services`, on your phone or computer. We use it to schedule volunteers and communicate service details.
Use a valid email address and keep notifications on so you see scheduling updates as soon as they are sent.
Blockout Dates
Enter blockout dates as soon as you know you are unavailable. You can block one day or the full weekend.
Tim sends a reminder near the end of each month, but you do not need to wait for the reminder to enter dates you already know about.
Schedules are generally built a month at a time, though updates can happen more than once in a month.
Schedule Responses
Once you are scheduled, open Planning Center and accept or decline the request as quickly as possible so coverage gaps can be handled early.
While emergencies happen, avoid declining within 24 hours of service whenever possible. Last-minute declines have left the team short on camera operators before, and we want to avoid that.
Production Communication Protocol
These comms standards apply across the full production team, including cameras, graphics, lighting, stage, switching, and producing.
In the Room
- Limit responses, questions, and comments.
- Speak quietly and use as few words as possible.
- Ask questions during run-through, not during live moments.
In the Back
- Communication should be one-way as much as possible.
- Simple questions are fine when needed.
- Do not carry on a two-way conversation over comms.
Typical Weekend Schedule
Use this as the normal weekend rhythm unless a holiday, special event, or staff communication says otherwise.
Saturday
Back of House Producer
- 10:30amProducer call time.
- 11:00amWork through the checklist and handle back-of-house administration.
- ~12:00pmLine check.
- 12:10pmPrayer circle with the band.
- 12:15pmRehearsal. Run lyrics or find someone to run them, and make any needed ProPresenter changes.
All Production Volunteers
- 1:10pmGeneral volunteer call time. Follow the role-specific call time if your position starts earlier or later.
- 1:15pmTalk-through and devotional.
- 1:30pmService run-through with all worship songs and speaker microphone checks.
- ~1:55pmRun-through should be done. Food is available backstage for production and worship volunteers.
- 2:10pmOptional service watchback to see if anything needs adjustment.
- 2:55pmMeet in the video control room for video huddle and prayer.
- 3:00pmFirst service starts.
- ~4:15pmFirst service should be ending.
- 4:55pmMeet in the video control room for video huddle and prayer.
- 5:00pmSecond service starts.
- ~6:15pmSecond service should be ending.
Sunday
Back of House Producer
- 6:55amProducer call time and room prep.
All Production Volunteers
- 7:25amGeneral volunteer call time. Follow the role-specific call time if your position starts earlier or later.
- 7:30amTalk-through and devotional.
- 7:35amService run-through with all worship songs and speaker microphone checks.
- ~8:05amRun-through should be done and the room should be ready to open.
- 8:25amMeet in the video control room for video huddle and prayer.
- 8:30amFirst service starts.
- ~9:35amFirst service should be ending.
- 9:55amMeet in the video control room for video huddle and prayer.
- 10:00amSecond service starts.
- ~11:05amSecond service should be ending.
- 11:25amMeet in the video control room for video huddle and prayer.
- 11:30amThird service starts.
- ~12:35pmThird service should be ending.