I have an article in the Culture Watch section of the most recent Worship Leader Magazine called “The Church VJ”. It covers the role of the video jockey in church worship, as well as a little history on how the church has been pioneering the art of throwing pictures on a wall since Jesuit missionaries and David Livingstone were using the Magic Lantern to show the gospel many years ago.
The VJ is still a shadowy figure in church circles and a way under-appreciated artist in the wider scene. But their time will come. In the article I give some practical advice on toning it down, finding alternative places to project, and what kind of video to use. In case you were wondering, I been using Arkaos VJ 3.5.1 for the past 3 years, after a much needed upgrade from G-Force.
Technorati Tags: vj
Go and buy a print copy somewhere or subscribe to the online version. You will also see a piece by my musical friend David Crowder, and fellow blogger Mark Roberts in “Come, Now is the Time for Blogging.
BTW – My last WL article was Getting Things Moving which got a little heat because i used the forbidden word “labyrinth”. If you have read my recent article on The Church VJ and want to discuss the article with me, or you have a question like . . “do you think the Church VJ will replace the Church Flower Lady?” . . .then leave a comment below.
VJ-ing in worship is not something I have seen a great deal of with a live band (the most recent exception to that being the Frenzy concert in Edinburgh last month), but have you seen any of the ‘iworship’ or ‘worship together’ videos? They combine graphics and video and images with lyrics and music, largely for congregations which do not have much of a live worship team. My church back home (in the States) has used them frequently (nearly weekly) with the youth at church, and they’ve gone over quite well.
I wonder where something like that fits into the VJ discussion?
(By the way, we met when I was up in Orkney early in May with two other friends, Ben and Debbie. Hope things are going well up there. We had an absolutely smashing week when we came to visit.)
[hi stephanie – no . . havent seen those videos. hope all is well]
I “vj” quite a bit in various “sacred spaces” and “worship gatherings.” I think the church is still a little behind in regards to integrateing media into gatherings.The church is focosed more on “technology” than beauty. When I’m VJing, I’m trying to invite people into this beautiful story and to proclaim, not to be a smooth backdrop to lyrics on a screen that doesn’t “distract”
that was Travis who started Highway Video” and has provided video footage for churches everywher. thanks dude!!!
i’m no longer with highway, i started a new “thang” called the “the work of the people” at http://www.theworkofthepeople.com
yeah – i knew that. just had to throw some history in. the church i went to in oxford last week was using a lot of your video from your highway days
but the work of the people is cool also.
Thank you for your wonderful info! However, we should also add the site – https://limeartstore.com/ which contains an excellent collection Photojpeg vj loops!