Budget-Friendly Guide to Filming Church Events: Tips and Gear for Capturing VBS

 Watch the Full Video here:

Introduction

In this article, I want to take you behind the scenes as I film for Vacation Bible School (VBS) at my church. We’ll be shooting all week long, and I’ll create a couple of highlight videos from the footage. I'll share what I'm doing, how I'm doing it, and provide some tips and tricks along the way.

Video Goals

We have two main videos to produce from this week’s VBS. First, a highlight video for the Friday night event that all the parents can watch when they come back for the final day. Second, another edit that includes everything from the entire week, which we’ll use for Sunday morning service and on social media. This means I need to gather plenty of footage and be prepared for different types of edits.

Shooting Challenge

To make this relevant for those who might not have a huge budget for gear, I decided to use a simple, budget-friendly setup. The entire camera setup I'm using costs less than $1,000, including the camera, kit lens, microphone, and an inexpensive secondary lens. This challenge is to show you that you don't need expensive gear to make a good video.

Gear Overview

Camera and Lenses

For the camera, I'm using the Sony a6300 with its kit lens, which is a 16-50mm variable aperture lens ranging from f/3.5 to f/5.6. This lens is great for general shooting, but in low light conditions, I switch to a 50mm f/1.8 lens. This lens allows more light into the camera, making it perfect for darker settings often found in VBS environments.

Microphone

On top of the camera, I have a Rode Video Micro. It’s a small, inexpensive microphone that helps capture better audio. While I may not use much of the audio captured, it's good to have the option available.

Lighting

I also use a cheap tube light that costs around $20. I found this light through a recommendation from Caleb at DSLR Video Shooter. Despite its low price, it provides excellent light and is very versatile, useful for fill light or as a hair light.

Initial Shots

As I start shooting, I think about my opening and closing shots because they are crucial for framing the video. I also capture establishing shots of the decorations and the kids walking into the building. These shots help set the scene and establish the atmosphere of the event.

Capturing Reactions

One of the biggest challenges is capturing the kids' genuine reactions. You need to be ready at all times, and even then, you might miss the perfect moment. It's essential to stay prepared and anticipate the right moments.

Switching Lenses

When I need tighter shots or better performance in low light, I switch to my 50mm f/1.8 lens. This lens allows me to capture more light and get detailed close-up shots, which is especially important in dimly lit environments like VBS.

Manual Focus

For some shots, I switch to manual focus. This helps ensure the focus doesn’t shift unexpectedly, giving me more control over the final image. It's particularly useful when shooting in dynamic environments where autofocus might struggle.

Event Coverage

Throughout the event, I capture a variety of activities and reactions. This includes getting wide-angle shots and close-ups, ensuring I have enough footage to create a dynamic and engaging highlight video. I also try to include elements in the foreground to add depth to my shots, making them more visually interesting.

Final Tips

1. Planning: Think about your opening and closing shots in advance.
2. Lighting: Use inexpensive lights to improve video quality in low-light settings.
3. Gear Versatility: Switch between different lenses to adapt to various shooting conditions.
4. Audio: Capture audio with a small microphone for potential use in the final edit.
5. Focus: Use manual focus when necessary to maintain consistent quality.
6. Foreground Elements: Incorporate objects in the foreground to add depth to your shots.

Conclusion

Shooting VBS and similar church events doesn't require expensive gear. With a budget-friendly setup and some careful planning, you can capture high-quality footage that tells a compelling story. Focus on capturing genuine moments, plan your key shots, and adapt to the environment to get the best results. Happy filming!