LifeWay Digital Media

LifeWay VBS Video Production

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:48:07 -0600

Check out this story about the recent VBS video production in Colorado. http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0%2C1701%2CM%25253D201104%2C00.html

"Why We Tweet" by Bucky Elliott

Wed, 20 May 2009 13:09:16 -0600

"I don't get Twitter"

is the apparent sentiment of the general public, or at least an increasingly prominent view I've personally seen and heard expressed as of late. I overhear snide elevator quips such as, "I don't care what you had for breakfast". A common conversation goes something like this:

A: What's the point of Twitter anyway?

B: I think it's just so you can tell the world what you're doing at every moment.

A: Who really cares what I'm doing all day? And isn't that what Facebook is for? What's so great about Twitter if it's only for status updates?

Now, let me tell you -- I am a big fan of Facebook. It's revolutionized the way I keep up with friends old and new, organize events, and share news/thoughts/video/photos/anecdotes. The fact of the matter is, though, that Twitter is a different animal -- and much like Macs, it gets a bad rap from those who have never given it a shot.

Blogger Adam Pash from Lifehacker states it well:

"Discounting Twitter altogether because you think it's ridiculous that people tweet about what they had for breakfast is like claiming that email is useless because of forward chains. It's a mistake, and you'd be missing out on a great tool if you let that put you off Twitter completely." In this post, he goes on to share "Six Ways You Should Be Using Twitter (That Don't Involve Breakfast)".

Another blogger, Kurt form Church Marketing Online, writes "The Top Ten Reasons for Churches to Twitter".

So those articles addressed the point of Twitter...what's my point? Obviously, I'm not telling you what you should and shouldn't do...but I do want to inform our friends, customers, and ministry partners about a great tool that they may initially overlook due to its "silly" stigma. At LifeWay, we're continually exploring how we can use social networking to reach people. Perhaps more importantly, we're finding out how we can use it to listen, and for that I think Twitter is spectacular.

Personally, I listen to what the world is saying by using TweetDeck to constantly follow relevant keywords, such as "LifeWay", "Beth Moore", "VBS", etc.

It is enlightening and [usually] encouraging to see what folks have to say about us and our resources. I love it when I see a question or comment I can immediately address (or know who else can) -- it's fun to take customers by surprise with a timely, personal reply!

Many of us here also tweet regularly about recent product releases, research, updates, upcoming products and events, contests and giveaways, or just what we're currently working on. It's a great way to give customers and other ministry partners an eye and a voice to the inside of LifeWay, which I believe is profitable for achieving our chief end of Twittering: building relationships. I hope you'll catch our Twitterpation and I invite you to follow one, some, or all of us LifeWay "tweeps".

You can follow me @LifeWayMedia.

Bucky Elliott is a Motion Graphcis & Media Developer for LifeWay Digital Media Publishing.

Productions Happening

Mon, 18 May 2009 16:19:50 -0600

At LifeWay Digital Media, we have lots of video projects going on. Tomorrow we are broadcasting a live internet feed from the LifeWay studio called, "Sunday School vs. Small Groups." Got to www.lifeway.com/sundayschoolvssmallgroups for more details. It should be lots of fun. We have a crew taping the 2010 Vacation Bible School videos in a secret location. We are begining production on the next set of FUEL Ignited (www.lifeway.com/fuel). We are recording several LifeWay events this summer. These are just a few of the many projects in production. Stay tuned for more updates from producers and crew.

It's been a while.

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:56:07 -0600

Indeed, it has been a long time since we've posted. Aaron moved up to a different position at LifeWay and that has left me with most of the work. But honestly, I've just been lazy about posting.

So... you better get ready because there are several products in the tubes and we'll be posting about them right here.

Return to the Garden by Kay Arthur

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:18:26 -0600

Join Kay Arthur and several other women in a comfortable living room setting as they look at what God's design is for a woman's sexuality. This Bible study is an honest, redemptive call for women to recognize and return to God's standard for purity. Kay's timely messages primarily focus on married women, but also address issues and commitments for single women and mothers/daughters.

Videos are sold individually for $4.99 each and are delivered as 320x240 windows media files.

Click the link to be taken to the product page.

Cavnas : Distortions

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:08:12 -0600

Just in time for you last minute holiday shopping needs comes 12 great videos. Canvas : Distortions explores the way our modern world has changed our perspectives. Identifying the distortion is a first step towards healing.

The videos are labeled with session numbers but are in no way sequential, this is an a la carte product. Videos are $5.99 each and delivered as 640x480 windows media files.

Click the image to be taken to the product page.

5 Sex Needs of Men & Women

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:26:12 -0600

Dr. Gary and Barbara Rosberg lead this video study covering the 5 sex needs of men and women in a marriage. Putting aside popular culture's idea of the topic the Rosberg's look at this vital part of married life form a Biblical perspective. Covering specific needs such as affirmation, communication and connection the "5 Sex Needs" is a great study for any married couple.

All 12 sessions are available as individual use windows media files for $4.99 each. Click the cover to be taken to the product page.

Gaming Ideas for Your Youth Group

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:39:04 -0600

Waaaaay back when I was in youth group... 10-12 years ago... my dad hosted a video game youth event at our house where we set up a bunch of video games around the house and just had a good, clean fun time of fellowship. Since then, the media have continued to focus on he growing violence and sexuality in games, sometimes making it difficult to really know if video games are "ok" in churches and - if so - are any of them safe?

Just as there are movie clips that are totally inappropriate for use in sermons, there are some scenes that make for great visual illustrations. Just like there are songs that should never be considered to be sung in church, there are a wealth of churches that sing modern songs from the choir loft. And so, just as there are plenty of games that involve killing and sexuality and shouldn't be played by your youth group... perhaps there are some that might offer some good, clean fun and create new memories and experiences for your youth group.

So, if you already have a gaming system set up in your youth area, here's a few that might be worth taking a look at this Christmas to add to your church's gaming collection:

XBOX 360

Lips

Lips is, essentially, two-player Karaoke. When you buy the game you get 40 songs and two wireless microphones. If your students love to sing - or just be the center of attention - this game is for them.

First, the caveats: check the track list. Like most (all?) music video games, you can't stop the songs that come on the disc from being played. So, if there are any songs on the disc that you wouldn't want to be played by your youth group, consider that before you purchase Lips (this is why I can't recommend Rock Band on this list. While it is a great four-player group game... there are just too many questionable songs on the disc that you can't turn off). Second, there is a "kiss" mode in the game where, if the two singers are doing well, their on-screen characters will try to kiss.

However, here's the best reason to pick up Microsoft's Lips for your youth group:

They can sing along to any (non-DRM) music track. Plug a Zune or iPod in and - if you have songs ripped from CDs or downloaded without DRM - you can sing along to any song. Currently there isn't a whole lot of faith-based content for music games (Rock Band 2 has only 4 or 5 songs from Christian bands... depending on your definition of "Christian band"), so being able to play songs appropriate for your youth group is a huge plus for Xbox's Lips.

A Kingdom for Keflings

This game is just cute. And fun. And constructive.

Basically, you play as a giant who is trying to help the Keflings build the community. With up to four players working together, the game becomes a quick effort into teamwork building and problem solving. And it's so cute that even the girls in your youth group might want to pick up a controller. And... it's only $10. Can't beat that!

Nintendo Wii

Wii Music

To be honest, this game is going to be a tough sell to the older kids in your youth group. However, for the junior-high crowd, getting to make music as a barking dog might be just the ticket.

Basically, Nintendo has made a fancy music toy out of the Wii's remote. By moving the Wii remote in specific motions and at different speeds the players help contribute to creating their own version of the songs on the disc. As always with music games, check out the track listing before purchasing.

Mario Kart

It's one of the original party games that defined it's own genre of kart racing games. When I went home for Thanksgiving this year, my dad played almost nothing but Mario Kart: it appeals to all ages. Nintendo did a great things with this racing game in that the challenges and power-ups you get keep the race competitive at almost all times, and even the best players can be overtaken every now and then.

Mario Kart is a four-player racing game featuring the characters from the world of Mario games. It's good clean fun, "E" rated game.

Sony Playstation 3

LittleBigPlanet

If you have a youth group and a PS3, you should already own this game. The tagline for the game says it all: "Play. Create. Share." In this game you essentially team up to walk through side-scrolling levels ala-Super Mario Bros. The key difference is that as you play through the game you get objects and stickers with which to build your own game levels - and then share them!

Not only can four people play through the levels together, but they can also build together. Imagine a game where instead of working together to kill aliens and monsters, your youth group is working together to create a fun level to share with the world - and maybe even put a positive, faith based message in it.

The one caveat is that, if you're online, you can also play other people's levels. Like anything online, there will be some gems of levels and some levels that shouldn't enter your church. You can find out more about LittleBigPlanet directly from the creators here.

Echochrome

Echochrome for the PS3 is going to be for the "smart" kid in your youth group. It's not a party game by any means... but the very design of the game seems to mesmerize anyone watching it.

Echocrome is basically a game where you make the 2D-perspective issues made famous by M.C. Esher work by changes the perspectives in a 3D space. Your character will follow the image on-screen as if it's a 2D image, so you must rotate it in a 3D space to navigate the level. The graphics may be some of the most bland of any game out there, but it will draw in the attention any any passer-by and calm the physical energies into a mental stimulation.

One final caveat about games and youth groups...

As always with games, please be sure to check out their rating at the ESRB before purchasing and bringing into your youth group. If you don't allow "R" rated movies to be watched at youth events, don't allow "M" rated games to be played at youth events. If you don't allow "PG-13" movies, then don't allow "Teen" rated games.

The Love Dare

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:37:55 -0600

One of the surprise movie hits of 2008 was "Fireproof." In this movie, the main character is challenged by a book to do different dares each day to help save his marriage; and it works.

Fresh from the movie has come he actual Love Dare book, published by the fine folks over at B&H. In these video conversations, I got to talk with some of the people who had a hand in actually bringing the Love Dare to life.

What really impressed me the most was the conversations I had with John, Andrea and Ricky off of the camera. All of hem have gone through (or are going through) the book and can personally testify to the ways it has strengthened their marriages. I love it when people are just creating a product, but that they have been personally changed by it.

John Thompson and Andrea Dennis

Ricky King

Delivering HD Content: Making Decisions on Quality

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:00:15 -0600

As mentioned yesterday, LifeWay has taken it's first steps into delivering HD content, with the "Because" music video by Jeff Slaughter for VBS 2009.

In preparing this video, I was hit with the battle that will continue to hit our team as we try to get this content out to you: the balance of quality and file size.

There is a full range of definitions that could be qualified as "HD" and, as more and more digital delivery takes place it's going to get more and more convoluted. In other words, not all HD is created equal.

For me, the standard bearer of what should truly be considered "HD" is the broadcast specifications for HD television. This is the standard against which most of the HD content we actually consumer will be judged, because the TV is the primary source of entertainment.

So, what defines the standards for television HD?

1280x720 pixles (720p) or 1920x1080 pixels (1080i)

Surround Sound

15 MB/s data rate

That bit rate is where things start to get sloppy with "HD". For example, "HD" downloads from the Apple iTunes Store sit at 4 MB/s, Xbox 360 HD downloads are 6.8 MB/s, and Blu-Ray movies can actually go all the way up to over 54 MB/s.

So how does our first HD content compare?

Well, I've found that the 'sweet spot' that people are comfortable downloading in today's world is somewhere between 100-200MB for a Standard Definition, long format video. So my goal was to get the video, which is only just above 4 minutes, as close to 200MB as possible. This was a decision made entirely on trying to help he customer experience with an easy-as-possible download. We hit 190.6MB.

Size: 1280 x 720

Bitrate: 6 MB/s

So are we 'true' HD? No, I guess not. But... it's nice to say that we're offering better quality than the iTunes Store and (almost) on par with the Xbox Downloads.

For comparison's sake, I maxed out the render to see what a "Full HD" file might be like...

Size: 1920 x 1080

Bitrate: 20 MB/s

That file ended up being 678MB. And it won't play on the Windows machine that rendered it. Or the Mac that I edit our videos on. In other words... it's amazingly beautiful, but completely unusable by the average church.

I'm glad we've been able to gently step into the HD content space with a great quality video like Slaughter's "Because." To be honest, though, while we've been able to push out this video at 6MB/s, there's no expectation that all of our HD materials will get to be so sharp and fine. It's a hard balance and, with any video much longer than 4-5 minutes, the file would simply get too massive to efficiently deliver to churches - let alone let the church's computers even be able to play the file!

If anyone out there has downloaded the "Because" video, please feel free to let us know how it looks to you, and if the quality justifies the file size!

The Jeff Slaughter Interview: Part 2 (and our first ever HD content, the 'Because' music video!)

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:12:17 -0600

We are proud to announce this week that we have released LifeWay's first ever HD content: The "Because" music video by Jeff Slaughter.

Created for use with 2009's VBS, we've chosen to release the video a bit early for you to enjoy! In part two of our interview with Jeff, we talk about his experience filming the video in Israel, and the way that the trip was a fulfillment of God's blessings for him.

Beth Moore's Esther Study Available as Downloads

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:01:08 -0600

I must admit; I'm pretty excited today. Thanks to the wonderful work of our new(ish) Apple contact, Beth Moore's newest study, Esther, is featured on the main Chrisitan/Gospel page of iTunes. The audio from each of the 10 sessions are available through iTunes for $3.99.

Of course, if you're like me, you might want some video to go along with your audio. In that case, we have the Individual Use videos for sale through LifeWay.com. Each of the session are available for $4.99 to watch on our personal computer. We managed to keep the file size small(ish) for you all, hovering around 200MB for each of the files... which is pretty good for an hour of video!

This is the first time we've been able to get a new product released as a physical product, on iTunes, and on LifeWay.com. I'm pretty excited about how far we've come in just one year. Last week we surpassed 1000 downloads, today we've done a huge simultaneous release, and soon I should have something to announce about our first HD content... What a way to close out 2008!

The Jeff Slaughter Interview: Part 1

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:53:23 -0600

I've had the pleasure of being able to work with Jeff Slaughter at a number of events the past several years through my work with FUGE Camps here at LifeWay. Jeff has, without a doubt, the most passion for leading kids to worship Christ than any other person I've known. He is able to connect with children and not simply teach them words and melodies, but truly helps them build a relationship with God.

When I sat down to talk with him about his experience in Israel filming the "Because" music video (more on that next week), we ended up having a simply incredible conversation about his ministry, how he came to write and lead Children's Worship music, and how he got involved with LifeWay's VBS. Check out this video, and then come back next week for the "Because" music video and his trip to Israel!

Universal Copyright: Do Churches Need to Protect Themselves?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:54:15 -0600

In my feed reader today came a post from one the gaming sites I follow, xbox360.qj.net, about the terms of use from Activision in regards to content created using Guitar Hero 3:

You hereby grant Activision a royalty free, irreversible, sub-licensable and non-exclusive perpetual license throughout the universe for use in any and all media whether now known or hereafter...

Did you catch that? "Throughout the universe" That's some forward thinking. Do we have other man-made laws that govern the universe, or is intellectual property (and the right to make money from it) that important that we've gone there first? Could intellectual property be the first cause of interstellar war?

And are they really thinking broadly enough? Should it say "throughout the universe and metaphyical/supernatural worlds (i.e. Heaven, Hell)"?

It's been interesting watching copyright and intellectual property become so much more important to so many people. I think this will become quite the issue for the church in the future; not dealing with copyright and how to use protected resources, but defining how to protect content that is created from within your church.

For example... who owns your church logo? Who owns your church's website design (if it's not a template)? Who owns the transcript of last weeks sermon: your church or the pastor. If it's the church... was the sermon done as a work-for-hire, or does your pastor own the rights to any residuals if the church (for some reason) decides to sell an audio recording of it?

What happens when someone patents a way to do missions work? Or what if your worship leader writes a song and someone steals it?

The movement to protect intellectual property, not just digital content, has the potential to truly change ministry. Could it happen that we have to some day license church models because a mega-church (or a legally-savvy church plant) decides to register their technique in coordination with a book/product release?

While I would assume churches wouldn't want to restrict each other in such a sense... what if it's not a church that patents it? Could some slick entrepreneur take control or systems and ideas if our churches don't protect their original ideas and messages?

Anyone out there have any answers/ideas?