If you've been to an ATF or BattleCry lately, you've probably seen a time when the big screens are given over to "Shout-Outs" from text messages. If you're watching the live broadcast on satellite TV or GodTV.com, there's another set of Shout-Outs that goes up there.
But have you ever wondered how, exactly those go up online?
Well, for the two different environments, there are two different systems, though they work pretty much the same way.
A texting-computer operator connects a phone -- with a SIM card dedicated to this specific task, though we got 14 calls to the text-only number before the event even started last night -- to the computer, and feeds the texts into a program designed to pull them off and organize them. And, obviously, to filter out things like swear words.
From there, the operators can feed the texts into the graphics programs for the projectors, feeding them straight through, changing up the order, or inserting their own in case there's a lag in cell service. (Sadly, often there is a lag as the phone gets a little overwhelmed with volume.)
In the course of this tour, a crack team of CCMers has been assembled to handle the texting computers, growing from one outgoing staff member to three young interns, and Michael Mistretta, Phillip-Michael Fletcher and Margo Kittok have become superstars as they put up salutations from attendees up for thousands of others to see.
For the NY event, two separate texting stations are needed.
One, which serves the in-arena texts, is run from "Video World," where the ministry team processes graphics and videos to run on the screens in the event. Margo is working this station for this event, occasionally throwing in shout-outs to the full slate of fellow CCMers in the crowd.
For a chance at showing up on this bank of Shout-Outs at this evening's session, text 903.504.1202.
On a completely different processing software is the TV-text station, which is outside by the TV truck, where CCM has set up their recording station to handle the tape copies of everything being broadcast.
Between running around doing PA work, Phillip has been on the broadcast station, handling the bumpers as needed by the director for an audience of potentially millions, all around the globe.
For a chance at showing up there, text 903.521.6848, though remember all applicable country codes if texting from outside the United States.
No comments:
Post a Comment