How to Produce the BEST Christmas Pageant ever! Behind the Scenes of a Successful Church Program

How early is too early to plan your church Christmas pageant or program? In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com shares the “best of” Christmas podcasts for church media directors, choir directors and their teams to produce the best Christmas pageant or program ever! Go behind the scenes of the “The Gift of Christmas” stunning multi-media event as Phil interviews Prestonwood Church creative leaders Michael Neale, Andy Pearson, and Bryan Bailey to discuss the mindset, collaboration and planning of a successful church Christmas program. Then, get Phil’s nine-point church media checklist to help your team produce a holiday program that expresses the wonder of Christmas in a professional and engaging way.

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Phil Cooke – Media Producer/Writer/Speaker/Coach
Helping Creative Leaders Influence the World

Do you have a message or story the world needs to hear? I offer advice on creative leadership, digital media, branding, marketing, film and television production – and the faith to take you from where you are in your ministry or career to where you want to be. 

As a filmmaker, media consultant and co-founder of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, my client list includes Hollywood studios, major nonprofit organizations, and many of the most respected churches and ministries in the world. I’ve produced media programming in nearly 70 countries and created many of the most influential inspirational TV programs in history. 

My philosophy? Get your ideas out there and change the world in the process. 

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*More About This Episode* How to Produce the BEST Christmas Pageant ever! Behind the Scenes of a Successful Church Program

The Gift of Christmas is a Prestonwood tradition and has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season, with thousands of guests attending every year.  Find out more: https://prestonwoodgoc.org

More about the Church Media Checklist for Holiday Programs (or how to avoid the nightmare before Christmas) 

1. Start preparation early. Whether it’s live, multi-cam or video-taped, get your hands on a script or musical score as soon as possible.

2. Bring your crew into the planning process. Your media team and volunteers may have valuable ideas that can help the production.

3. Understand lighting differences. Make sure you understand the difference between stage lighting and television lighting.

4. Create a shot list. Always have a plan.

5. Stop screaming and yelling. If you’re directing a Christmas or Easter presentation and you lose control, you instantly lose respect with your team.

6. Use cuts and dissolves correctly and know the difference between them. There should be a purpose behind your choices.

7. Shoot a rehearsal. It’s worth the extra money and time to bring in a paid staff or your volunteers.

8. Have a debriefing. Especially when you have multiple performances, shoot and debrief after each one.

9. Toss out normal service camera rules. Don’t be afraid to move the cameras around according to the script or music plan.

Watch the full episodes!

How to Stage a Spectacular Church Christmas Event: Interview with Prestonwood Church Creatives

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CQhxdHs7lJU
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3s5bIjx (or your favorite podcast platform!) 

Church Media Checklist for Holiday Programs (or how to avoid the Nightmare Before Christmas)
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypkm8KVC5b0 

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