Camera Cheat Card, plus free Illustrator file

We do things just a little different at Southeast Student ministry, namely in that almost all of our production is handled by the students. Junior Highers and High Schoolers They run the graphics. They run the lyrics. They run cameras, lights, the switcher, direct and even produce. All of this means that part of my team’s job is to train and raise up these students in the art of production.

While in California, I visited Discovery Church and talked with Scott Kolden, @mixerdad, and while in their kids room, I saw this gem behind the jib (yes, jib in the kids room!).

Simply genius! I loved the idea so much that I began to muse over what I would want my camera operators to see every-time they get on the stand. So, I set some rules for myself. I wanted it simple. Black and white. 3″ x 5″. Reproducible. Editable. Clear. So here is what I came up with:

Keep in mind that this is the first generation of this design and it will most definitely change, but so far I can already sense the excitement in my students! (That and the newly lowered screens!)

I’m going be doing a quick tutorial later on how I made the card, but, in the meantime, here is the Adobe Illustrator file that I created, if you want something for your own.