GUIDELINES for VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

Format:

Preferred media format for submission of video content are on a recorded DVD or miniDV cassettes from material gathered on a camcorder, either standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD). Older-style camcorder cassettes (e.g., Hi-8) are not useable. Whatever you send us, make it the highest quality and highest resolution available to you. (If you need your media returned to you, please make those arrangements prior to sending it to us.)

We can process most common video file formats, if they are provided to us on a CD-R, DVD-R, or flash drive or some other recording medium. We do not yet have the set up to receive large video files over the Internet. DO NOT EMAIL US ANY VIDEO FILES.

If you have any questions about the format of your video, and whether we can accommodate it, please contact us.

Content Guidelines:

* This is your story of new life in Jesus! While we encourage you to be forthright and honest about struggles and issues that you faced, we won't post videos that are simply angry tirades against the Mormon Church. That's not what this website is about.

* Be as brief and concise as possible. Plan and write out the points you want to make before turning on the camcorder. Don't turn it into a lengthy autobiography, just share the points that are most important to your "sacred grove" story. While we don't impose a strict time limitation, we urge people to aim for between 5 and 10 minutes.

* Be yourself; this isn't supposed to be a performance! Speak as casually and naturally as possible, in a conversational style. Avoid reading a script or from notes.

* Please use discretion in your dress, your language, and the content of your message. Anything that we suspect may cause unnecessary offense will not be posted.

* When the camera first rolls, STATE AND SPELL YOUR NAME. Also, say "I give Main Street Church permission to use this video in their ministry efforts" or words to that effect.

Things to consider in telling your "sacred grove" story:

* A brief description of your life as a Latter-day Saint; the things you loved, the things you struggled with

* The issues, incidents, people, etc., that began you on your "sacred grove" path

* A brief description of your journey to Jesus Christ; what were the things God used to draw you to Himself? In what ways did He reveal Himself to you? Share both your joys and struggles.

* Contrast your life "before" and "after" encountering Jesus.

* Share words of encouragement to those who are walking the same path that you have walked. You have an audience of people who are walking where you once walked. What do you wish someone had told you "back then"?

Technical Pointers for Better Videos:

Audio:

* If at all possible, use an external lavalier (clip-on) condenser microphone, if your camera has an input for microphones. If this is not possible, then sit or stand close to the camera's built-in microphone (six to ten feet or so), in a quiet place without echoes or other audio distractions. Remember to avoid noises that your own ears usually "tune out" but that the camera will pick up and magnify (the hum of appliances, computers, traffic noises, etc.)

*If you are doing your video recording outside, be aware that wind, even a light breeze, can sound like a hurricane when blowing across a microphone.

Video:

* Choose a setting for your background that is neutral, not "busy" or cluttered-looking. A darker-colored, uncluttered wall indoors often makes a good backdrop for interviews. The background should look DARKER than the person being videotaped.

*If you are outside, make sure that the best light is shining on you, not behind you. (Morning and afternoon provide the best light for outdoor shots.) Avoid direct, unfiltered sunlight (it makes you squint, and can wash out the picture.) Cloudy days are actually good for outdoor shots, because the lighting is diffused and soft.

* Avoid wearing whites or bright pale colors, or black or near-black colors. This can cause cameras using automatic exposure to either make the face too dark or too light.

* Don't mix light sources; if you are shooting inside using artificial lights such as lamps, minimize any natural outdoor light, because it will cause the colors to look "off". Likewise, if you are using natural (outdoor) light, don't use any additional artificial light.

* Arranging your lighting: Soft, diffuse lighing is best; minimize shadows or harsh contrast on the face. Avoid shadows on the eyes. If using indoor lighting, use a couple of lamps placed at different angles in front of the subject to reduce shadows on the face.

* Use a tripod, set up so that the camera lens is level with the eyes. If you don't have a tripod, set the camera on a flat, stable surface that still allows for good composition. Avoid hand-held shots; no matter how hard you try, they will always look shaky.

* Use the "Rule of Thirds" in composing your shot. Imagine the viewfinder divided vertically and horizontally into thirds (see the figure below). Compose the shot so that the eyes of the subject are approximately in line with the top imaginary horizontal line, preferably either toward the left or right of the screen, as shown below.

Other Guidelines:

* If you do any home-video editing, DO NOT add any music, sound effects, graphics, or video effects to your submitted video.

* If you are submitting a testimony of someone else, THE PERSON APPEARING ON THE VIDEO MUST GIVE US THEIR WRITTEN PERMISSION TO USE OR POST (they will need to sign this submission form.)

We appreciate and are grateful for all who willingly submit material to Sacred Groves; however, your submittion of a video doesn't guarantee that we will be able to use it. If we don't use it, or only use parts of it, please don't interpret this as a value judgment on your story or presentation!

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact us!