Production Handbook

Production is not just about running tech. It is about shaping holy moments.

The Importance of Production

At Bright City, Production plays a vital role in the worship experience. Every lyric displayed, every mic unmuted, and every visual transition serves a greater purpose to remove distractions and make space for people to encounter God.

We believe:

• Excellence honors God and serves people.
• Clarity helps people connect to the message of Jesus.
• Our technical service is a form of spiritual worship and leadership.

You are not just pressing buttons or turning knobs. You are helping shape holy moments. Through sound, visuals, lighting, and timing, we help host the presence of God and create a space where faith can be stirred, questions can be asked, and lives can be changed.

Our Mission Field

Bright City is called to reach young families, who may feel skeptical toward church. Many who walk through our doors carry doubts or wounds from past church experiences.

That’s why we intentionally shape our worship services to be thoughtful, welcoming, and grounded in the gospel, designed to meet people where they are. While we desire all people to worship God, we are especially focused on creating a space where skeptical seekers and spiritually hungry families can encounter Jesus with clarity, authenticity, and hope.

We may serve behind the scenes, but our work helps put God front and center.

Required Commitments

Before joining the team, all members are expected to:

1. Read and sign Bright City’s:
   ✝️ Statement of Faith
   🙌 Serve Team Expectations

Serving with Excellence

Being on the Production Team means more than operating equipment. It means showing up with a spirit of excellence, humility, and readiness to serve. Each team member plays a key role in helping create an environment where people can encounter the presence of God with clarity and focus.

We expect Production Team members to:

• Arrive on time and be prepared for setup, rehearsal, and services.
• Stay focused and attentive throughout the entire morning
• Be proactive in problem-solving and willing to ask for help when needed
• Work as a team, offering support to other roles as needed
• Maintain a calm and helpful attitude, even when things don’t go as planned
• See your role as spiritual, not just technical—what you do makes worship possible

Each role matters. Every action supports a greater encounter with God.

Team Overview

Our Production Team is made up of several roles that work together to create a seamless and Spirit-led Sunday experience. Each position is essential—not just technically, but spiritually—as we help host God’s presence and remove barriers for our church community.

🧢 Production Lead

The Production Lead helps steward this process by overseeing the overall flow of the service and supporting each role along the way. They serve as a point of connection and a resource for the team, helping everyone feel prepared, supported, and aligned throughout the service.

Team Positions

Below is a list of positions that serve on the Production Team, along with a guide for each role.

🏋️ Setup Crew ➔ Setup Crew Guide

This role participates in kickstarting the setup process for the Production Team by arriving early to help ensure everything runs smoothly. It involves heavy lifting and frequent movement, so team members should be comfortable carrying equipment and working efficiently as part of a group.

🎚️ Audio Engineer ➔ Audio Engineer Guide

This role manages the front-of-house mix for the room, balancing vocals and instruments to ensure clarity and energy throughout the service. It includes troubleshooting technical issues during setup and live services, as well as working with the band during rehearsal to adjust monitors and P16s.

📺 Slides Operator ➔ Slides Operator Guide

This role runs lyric slides, Scripture, and other media content during the service, ensuring worship lyrics are cued accurately and in time with the band. It works closely with leaders and pastors to follow the flow of the service and respond to transitions in real time.

🎥 Camera Operator ➔ Camera Operator Guide

This role captures the live video feed for the livestream and in-room visual support, framing shots for worship, teaching, and other key moments. It focuses on maintaining smooth, steady camera movements while avoiding visual distractions.

💡 Lighting Operator ➔ Lighting Operator Guide

This role oversees lighting setup and manages light presets during worship and teaching, using intentional lighting to create the appropriate mood and focus. It adjusts lighting levels for moments such as Scripture reading, prayer, or key transitions while ensuring consistency and avoiding distraction.

Clear communication keeps the team running smoothly.

Scheduling Timeline

We send out serve requests quarterly. You will receive an email one month before each new quarter begins, reminding you to set your blockout dates and letting you know when to expect your Planning Center scheduling requests.

Planning Center Online

We use Planning Center Online: Services to schedule Production Team members, organize service plans, and communicate important details. It’s essential that everyone uses Planning Center consistently and responsibly.

Note: We recommend everyone downloads PCO: Services on their mobile devices.

Confirming or Declining Requests

You are expected to confirm or decline your request as soon as possible. Delays in confirming affect the whole team’s preparation.

Note: If you decline, please include a short note if possible (e.g., out of town, sick, etc.).

Blockout Dates

Production Team members will be asked to communicate any blockout dates through Planning Center before scheduled requests are sent out for each quarter.

Finding a Replacement

If something comes up and you are within two weeks of your scheduled date, we ask that you follow these steps for finding a replacement:

1. First, try to trade with someone from another scheduled date by reaching out to them and asking
2. If trading is not optional, find a sub from another date to cover your date entirely
3. Once confirmed, notify your Production Lead
   Include the name of the person covering for you and the date(s) being traded / covered. The Production Lead will follow up to confirm with you both.

Note: If trading and finding a sub is not possible, notify your Production Lead.

Sub Requests

Try to limit sub requests—as opposed to trade requests—to only when necessary. If you need frequent swaps, talk with your Production Lead. We’re happy to work with your schedule.

What To Do When You’re Sick

Let your leader know immediately if you’re sick or have an emergency. If it is possible, still find a sub or trade, but we understand that life happens. Just don’t wait and then ghost.

Taking a Break from the Production Team

You’re welcome to take a break from the Production Team at any point. We simply ask that you fulfill any serve requests you've accepted to the best of your ability.

Note: You are always welcome to step back onto the Production Team at any point.

Prepared and pointing people to Jesus.

Time & Location

⛪ Location: AMC Southpoint Theaters → 8030 Renaissance Pkwy, Durham, NC 27713

⏰ Setup Arrival (7:00 AM): This time is for Setup Crew only

⚙️ Operations Arrival (7:30 AM): This time is for the rest of the Production Team

Morning Schedule

🔊 Soundcheck Begins: 8:20 AM

All microphones, monitors, slides, lighting, and livestream systems should be online and tested before this time.

🎶 Band Run-Through: 8:40 AM

Full musical rehearsal with the worship team
Production roles actively follow transitions, lighting cues, and slide timing
Use this time to identify and fix any last-minute issues before the service

🗣️ Service Run-Through: 9:50 AM

Brief team meeting with the Service Speaker(s) to walk through the service flow
Review any unique elements (videos, special transitions, ministry moments)
Final time to ask questions or make small adjustments before attendees arrive

🙌 Sunday Services: 10:00 AM

Production remains fully engaged and alert throughout services
After the final service, teardown begins promptly—every role helps reset the space

Expectations on Attending Services

The Production Team is expected to serve during all Sunday services. To ensure we are still participating in the worship service alongside the congregation, each team member is encouraged to fully engage in at least one service.

Dress Code

We want you to be comfortable and ready to move on Sundays. As a Production Team member, you’ll often be lifting, adjusting gear, crouching behind equipment, or walking between stations—so wear clothing that allows for easy movement and helps you stay focused on serving.

✅ Please wear:

Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing
Closed-toe shoes (required for safety and mobility)
Clothing appropriate for bending, lifting, and walking

🚫 Avoid:

Flip-flops or open-toe shoes
Anything that might hinder movement or create a trip hazard

Timeliness Policy

We value grace and responsibility when it comes to timeliness.

• Arriving late can disrupt the entire Sunday setup process and put unnecessary pressure on the rest of the team.
• ⏰ Repeated lateness may result in you being asked to step down from serving in future rotations.

Tip: It is better to arrive earlier than late.

Helpful tools, references, and documents to support your growth and service.

General Resources

Glossary of Terms

Production Team Resources

How To (Properly) Wrap Cables

How To Use The Personal In-Ear Mixers (P16)

Setup Crew Resources

Setup Crew Guide

Audio Engineer Resources

Audio Engineer Guide

Slides Operator Resources

Slides Operator Guide

Camera Operator Resources

Camera Operator Guide

Lighting Operator Resources

Lighting Operator Guide