Happy Monday everybody. Coming up this week I’ll be sharing more about The Life Project, giving you a real taste of how this dramatic resource

works and letting you know how you can play an important part in getting it into the hands of every pregnancy resource center in the country. But for now, lets enjoy some media morsels to fuel, challenge, and inspire those of you tasked with bringing creativity to your weekend worship services.

First up…yes, this is old. A year old. But somehow I had never seen it till it was linked on SCL last week. From Blaine Hogan, creative guru in residence at Willow Creek and author

of

Untitled, this incredible piece is a small window into the billion creative options open to the many churches equipped with a stage-level screen. Beautiful and challenging on so many levels.

Next, a new find. I was browsing some groups on Vimeo and came across the page for Spring of Life Youth and the work of director Alex Prykhodko. A couple of videos on their page stand out. Ever heard the Gospel of John in 3 minutes?

And from the same team, a beautiful execution of a fairly simple concept: what could it look like to personify a sin, a virtue, or an issue? This should spark a lot of ideas. Meet fear:

Again I ask you…What are you watching? What videos are making the rounds at your church or with your team? Or better yet, what have you created lately? Send me a link in the comments below!

First day back sitting in my comfy office after a successful but grueling 6-week shoot for The Christmas Experience, so I’m running a little behind on this morning’s regular installment of media morsels

for churches. So lets get started.

Up fi

rst, work from City on a Hill. No, not the ministry I work for…this is a church in Australia that seems to really get the power of media to help in communicating the Word of God. They have a collection of videos they have created for the reading of scripture in services. Each has a very unique style, but all succeed in bringing emphasis and insight to the reading without getting in the way. Lots of good stuff to watch on their Vimeo page, but I’ll post my favorite here:

Next up, some serious coolness from Canadian filmmaker Ryan Hughes. He’s created something called the 360 Project, using 48 still cameras to capture frozen images of dancers in motion. He can then show any moment of their action in 360 degree space, and cuts the it together with amazing flair. You’ve seen this kind of work pioneered by the “bullet time”sequences in The Matrix, but advances in technology through the years have made this a bit easier to pull off. Here’s one of the two films created in the 360 Project, but be sure to see the other

on Hughes’ website, along with a great behind-the-scenes film.

So while I was toiling away in a rock quarry last week, what did I miss? What videos have been making the rounds? Don’t hold out on me, drop me a note in the comments below!

Welcome back to another weekly installment of video goodies, chosen to challenge and inspire folks working to enrich their church weekend experience through the power of media.  Lets get started.

For inspiration… Do you know the name Salomon Ligthelm?  You should.  You should be watching his blog. You should be stalking him on Twitter. You should be hanging out on his website, and following his Vimeo page.  His work is breathtaking.  Here’s his latest piece, but do yourself a favor and

set aside some time to watch all his work.  Then comb through the how-to’s and behind-the-scenes he has so generously provided. You’ll be glad you did.

For fresh ideas… Ever heard of the GoPro Camera?  Its a tiny HD camera made to be worn for sports and other POV applications.  We’ve had one on set for The Christmas Experience the past couple of weeks, and I’ll be posting some really fun behind-the-scenes we’ve been able to get from the GoPro’s unique perspective.  This camera is screaming to be used in creative ways in churches.  Here’s an amazing example of its potential – a crazy action sequence called Insane Office Escape, all filmed POV.  WARNING -bail out before the 2:35 mark to avoid getting assaulted by a topless woman – whose upper torso has been pixelated for your protection.  Still, watch the end at your own risk.

And for a few laughs… This film from Soul Punch Productions is making the rounds right now.  Pretty stinking funny.  There are a few other laughs to be had at their YouTube page.

 

So what have I missed this week? What videos are inspiring and challenging you right now? Please pass

it on in the comments below!